LG’s OLED technology through the years

LG OLED celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, marking a significant milestone in its evolution into a premium TV brand. LG was able to overcome technical challenges and industry skepticism when it first introduced OLED TV in 2013.

By investing heavily in this new technology, LG was able to offer consumers unmatched contrast, perfect blacks, and true-to-life colors. LG OLED has since become a mainstay in the premium TV market, thanks to its unprecedented flexibility and thinness, which have set it apart from other technologies.

LG OLED refers to LG Electronics’ line of high-end OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display technology products, which includes TVs, monitors, and smartphones. OLED displays offer superior image quality with deeper blacks, wider viewing angles, and higher contrast ratios than traditional LCD displays.

LG’s OLED technology utilizes self-lit pixels, which allow for individual control of each pixel’s brightness and color, resulting in stunning picture quality. In addition, LG OLED TVs are often equipped with advanced features such as AI processing, voice control, and smart home integration. LG OLED products are renowned for their premium quality and are popular among consumers who seek an immersive and visually stunning viewing experience.

LG Electronics has been at the forefront of OLED display technology development for over a decade. In 2009, LG introduced the world’s first 15-inch OLED TV, followed by the first curved OLED TV in 2013. LG OLED TVs continued to evolve, with improvements in picture quality, screen size, and features.

In 2016, LG introduced its flagship OLED TV, the LG Signature OLED TV W, which was only 2.57 millimeters thick and could be mounted directly on the wall. The following year, LG launched the LG OLED TV E7, which featured a sound bar integrated into the TV’s stand.

In 2018, LG introduced the LG OLED TV C8, which featured enhanced image processing capabilities through its new α9 (Alpha 9) processor. This processor allowed for improved picture clarity, color accuracy, and motion handling, as well as better upscaling of lower-resolution content.

LG continued to push the boundaries of OLED technology with the launch of the LG Signature OLED TV R in 2019. This groundbreaking TV featured a flexible OLED display that could be rolled up and hidden inside its base when not in use.

In addition to OLED TVs, LG has also developed OLED displays for other products, such as monitors and smartphones. In 2013, LG launched the world’s first smartphone with an OLED display, the LG G Flex. Since then, LG has released several high-end smartphones featuring OLED displays, including the LG V30, LG G7 ThinQ, and LG V40 ThinQ.

Today, LG continues to innovate in the OLED display space, with its latest products featuring cutting-edge features such as 8K resolution, HDMI 2.1 compatibility, and support for advanced gaming features. LG OLED displays are widely regarded as some of the best in the industry, and the company remains committed to advancing the technology and improving the viewing experience for consumers.

LG OLED has been consistently recognized as the top TV brand for the past decade. Even before the release of the first OLED TV model, LG has received numerous accolades from major publications, including several “Best TV of the Year” titles.

LG OLED has been honored with the CES Innovation Award for 11 consecutive years and has received countless claims of being “the best TV I’ve ever reviewed,” “a true marvel” and “the king of TVs.” LG OLED holds a 60% share of the worldwide OLED TV market and has shipped over 15 million units to date.

The premium TV market globally is highly competitive, with several major brands vying for market share. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the market for premium TVs has continued to grow, driven by factors such as the increasing availability of 4K and 8K content, the rise of streaming services, and consumers’ desire for larger screen sizes and higher picture quality.

According to market research firm Technavio, the global premium TV market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 7% from 2020 to 2024. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to account for the largest share of this growth, due to factors such as increasing disposable incomes, rising adoption of new technologies, and the growing popularity of home entertainment.

In terms of market share, major brands such as Samsung, LG, Sony, and Panasonic are among the top players in the premium TV market. These companies offer a wide range of models with different features and price points, catering to various consumer preferences.

Overall, the global premium TV market remains a dynamic and competitive space, with technology advancements and changing consumer preferences driving innovation and growth.

LG has been a regular participant in the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) for many years and has used the event as a platform to showcase its latest products and technologies. Here is a brief summary of LG’s presence in CES through the years:

• 1967: LG’s predecessor company, GoldStar, exhibited at CES for the first time, showcasing a black and white television set.

• 2009: LG introduced its first OLED TV prototype at CES, showcasing the technology’s thinness and picture quality.

• 2012: LG showcased its first 55-inch OLED TV, which was later released in 2013.

• 2013: LG introduced the world’s first curved OLED TV at CES, featuring a unique design and immersive viewing experience.

• 2014: LG showcased its webOS platform, which powers its smart TVs, and introduced its first 105-inch curved 4K TV.

• 2016: LG introduced its “Signature” lineup of high-end products, including the Signature OLED TV, the Signature refrigerator, and the Signature washing machine.

• 2017: LG unveiled its flagship OLED TV lineup for the year, which included the W7 “wallpaper” TV and the G7 “picture-on-glass” TV.

• 2018: LG introduced its ThinQ platform, which uses artificial intelligence to enhance the functionality of its products, and showcased a variety of new products, including a rollable OLED TV prototype.

• 2019: LG showcased its OLED TVs, including its first 8K OLED TV, as well as its line of smart home appliances.

• 2020: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CES was held virtually, and LG showcased its latest products and technologies through online presentations and virtual exhibits.

• 2021: LG showcased a variety of new products, including its OLED evo technology, which enhances the brightness of its OLED TVs, and a new line of gaming monitors. LG also showcased its robot technology, including its CLOi disinfecting robot and its new line of robot vacuum cleaners.

LG has recently announced that it will be focusing on its core businesses, which include home appliances, home entertainment, and vehicle components, and will be exiting the smartphone business. Here are some of LG’s plans for the future:

Home Appliances: LG plans to continue investing in its home appliance business, particularly in the areas of connected appliances and AI-powered products. The company recently introduced a new line of AI-powered refrigerators, washing machines, and air purifiers, which are designed to make users’ lives easier and more convenient.

Home Entertainment: LG is committed to staying at the forefront of the home entertainment industry, particularly in the area of OLED TVs. The company plans to continue investing in OLED technology and expanding its OLED TV lineup, as well as developing new technologies to enhance the viewing experience.

Vehicle Components: LG is investing heavily in the development of electric vehicle (EV) components, including batteries, motors, and infotainment systems. The company recently formed a joint venture with automotive supplier Magna International to develop advanced EV components, and plans to expand its presence in the EV market in the coming years.

Robotics: LG is also investing in the development of robotics technology, particularly in the areas of service robots and AI-powered robots. The company’s CLOi line of robots, which includes a disinfecting robot and a serving robot, has already been deployed in hospitals and other public spaces in South Korea, and LG plans to expand its robotics business globally in the coming years.