LG Electronics to Introduce LG Signature OLED TV W at CES 2017

LG Electronics is introducing TV that is thin as a wallpaper for the first time at CES 2017. LG Electronics has decided to call this TV as ‘LG Signature OLED TV W’ and is going to add it to highest lineup of its OLED TVs. It is predicted that this TV will emphasize characteristics of OLED and be made really thin so that it can be attached to walls.

According to an industry on the 2nd, LG Electronics is going to introduce wallpaper-type new-concept TV called ‘LG Signature OLED TV W’ for the first time at CES 2017. W is an abbreviation for wall and this TV can be hang on a wall like a frame or attached to a wall.

This is the first time LG Electronics is introducing this product as a finished product after it introduced a prototype of this product in 2015. When it introduced this product for the first time, its size was 55 inches and its thickness and weight were 0.97mm and 1.9kg respectively. It drew huge attention from industries as its thickness and weight were reduced by 3mm and 7kg respectively compared to products that were sold previously. Considering the fact that this product will be part of premium lineup, it is likely that this product will be released with a size of 65 inches or higher.

Because LG Electronics begin to sell products that are introduced at CES within 3 months, it is possible that consumers will be able to purchase LG Signature OLED TV W shortly.

“Since couple years ago, we have been introducing products that are introduced at CES as products that can be actually purchased immediately instead of products that are going to be sold in the future.” said a high-ranking official of LG Electronics.

LG Electronics installed a huge outdoor billboard that signals introduction of wallpaper-type new-concept TV called ‘LG Signature OLED TV W’ on the outside of Las Vegas Convention Center where CES 2017 is going to be held. Las Vegas = Staff Reporter Kim, Dongwook | [email protected]

LG Signature OLED TV W uses a distinctive material called OLED and implements thinness like a wallpaper. Because each pixel produces light, it does not need backlight like LCD TVs. Because it does not have a backlight, it can be made very thin and can express variety of shapes.

Industries believe that LG Electronics has chosen ‘wallpaper TV’ as its method that will maximize its upper hand in OLED TV markets. Although any TV manufacturers can manufacture OLED TVs using OLED displays, it is up to abilities of set companies to manufacture and sell TVs that can satisfy consumers. It seems that LG Electronics is introducing a differentiated product to clearly grab an upper hand in OLED TV markets because other TV manufacturers such as SONY are preparing to release OLED TVs,.

“Even if TV manufacturers use same panels, finished products are clearly different depending on who is making them.” said a representative for an industry. “OLED TV W will widen gaps between LG Electronics and other TV manufacturers that are beginning to manufacture OLED TVs.”

According to a market research company called IHS, OLED TV markets are markets that are expected to grow rapidly at an annual average rate of 179.1% from 2013 to 2020. LG Electronics holds more than 90% of market shares for OLED TV markets and these markets are starting to grow as premium TV manufacturers such as China’s Skyworth and KONKA, Japan’s SONY and Phillips, and Europe’s LOEWE and VESTEL have jumped into these markets.