LG’s first OLED notebook to use panel from Samsung Display

LG Electronics is using OLED panels from Samsung Display for its first OLED notebook, TheElec has learned.

LG unveiled its Gram Style notebook series this week, which comes in 14-inch and 16-inch models.

These two models are currently being manufactured using Samsung Display’s rigid OLED panels, sources said.

Rigid panels use glass substrates and are cheaper than OLED panels with flexible panels that instead use plastic.

Samsung Display currently manufactures rigid panels at its A2 factory in South Korea.

These panels are aimed at mid-tier smartphones and IT products such as notebooks.

Samsung Display is seeing demand from smartphones drop for these panels, so it is aiming to expand into IT products and automobiles.

Rival LG Display doesn’t manufacture rigid OLED panels; it only supplies flexible OLED panels for Apple’s iPhones and Apple Watches as well as for premium automobiles.

Sources said LG Display can manufacture rigid OLED panels using its flexible OLED panel production facilities but this is more costly than at production lines originally designed to make rigid OLED panels.

Meanwhile, the latest supply deal is Samsung Display’s first for OLED panels to LG Electronics.