SDC and Lenovo partner to commercialize sliding displays by early 2025

Samsung Display (SDC) is reportedly collaborating with Lenovo to develop sliding displays, suggesting that devices that can extend the screen by pulling it will soon hit the market.

The sliding display resembles a scroll design, where the display is collapsed on one side and can be pulled out to enlarge the screen when needed. According to industry sources cited by South Korean media ET News, SDC has decided to commercialize sliding displays and is preparing to mass produce the required panels. The final products are expected to be launched by Lenovo in late 2024 or early 2025.

Based on the sliding display prototype previously unveiled by SDC, the display measures 13 inches diagonally when unfolded and can reach 17 inches when fully unfolded. The final product may represent a new type of device that combines the functionality of a tablet and a notebook. SDC and Lenovo are reportedly planning to add a stylus to this product.

Market observers noted that after Lenovo launched its foldable notebook in 2020, Asustek Computer followed suit in 2022, while LG Electronics and HP only launched their own foldable notebook models in 2023. The current the collaboration between SDC and Lenovo will help them explore a fresh new market segment.

The main reason for the SDC-Lenovo deal is their shared interest in exploring new markets. Following the launch of foldable displays, SDC is seeking to develop sliding displays as a next-generation product and has registered multiple trademarks for this purpose. In recent years, Lenovo has also introduced various innovative products, such as the industry’s first foldable notebook in 2020 and the world’s first dual-screen OLED notebook in 2023.

During Samsung Electronics’ Q1 2024 earnings call, SDC Vice President Huh Cheol revealed that the company is developing new types of products such as outward-folding, inward-folding, and sliding displays, and will collaborate with customers to release these products at the right time.

While foldable phones have become a recent trend, commercialization of slidable devices in the mobile sector – including smartphones, tablets and notebooks – seems imminent if the Lenovo and SDC collaboration on sliding devices is successful.