LG reveals a new type of OLED panel that should be both brighter and more efficient — here's how it works

LG Display has unveiled a groundbreaking new method for producing OLED panels that promises to enhance brightness, extend lifespan, and improve efficiency. The innovative technique, dubbed FLiPP (Flexible Large Panel Production), eliminates the need for the traditional fine metal mask (FMM) process, which has traditionally been costly and inflexible in terms of panel size.

By depositing RGB pixels directly onto the panel without the use of FMM plates, the FLiPP method enables displays to achieve up to 1.6 times greater brightness, double the lifespan, and a 13% reduction in power consumption compared to FMM-produced panels under the same conditions.

According to LG, the FLiPP process could be utilized to manufacture RGB OLED panels ranging from a mere 1 inch to a massive 100 inches in size. This versatility extends beyond traditional displays, potentially benefiting VR and AR devices as well. While LG is reportedly planning to initially apply the FLiPP technology to tablets and monitors, the potential applications are vast, with the company describing FLiPP as a "virtually universal" technology.

The company anticipates that production using this new method will not commence until late 2027 at the earliest.

Notably, LG may be among the first companies to implement this metal mask-free production method at a commercial level, particularly for TVs. However, TCL has already made strides in this area, demonstrating its inkjet OLED printing method last year and beginning mass production of a 27-inch 4K RGB display in July. It remains to be seen if inkjet-printed OLED displays can be scaled up to larger TVs, but further developments in this area are underway.

As OLED technology continues to evolve, monitors, TVs, and other display devices may undergo significant advancements in the coming years.