CES: Samsung's bendable cell phone screen

Transparency and flexibility are qualities you look for in a person, but how about a screen? Samsung showed off two prototypes at CES that we'll soon see in cell phones, computers, and TV.

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Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Thought Leadership, Speed Desk and How-To. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica led CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).

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Jessica Dolcourt

Jan. 6, 2011 5:53 p.m. PT

Samsung's bendable AMOLED display — Now that's what we call flexible. Josh Miller/CNET

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LAS VEGAS--"Flexible" isn't something you'd think you needed in a cell phone screen, but CES is all about concepts and future applications in addition to big-name product releases.

That's why we were excited to see prototypes of two Samsung displays. One is a malleable screen you can actually bend in a wave or arc. The 4.5-inch screen has an impressive WVGA (800x480 pixel) resolution that you can curve. It's also paper-thin, less than 0.3mm thick.

We may have been a bit drastic with our photo shoot (see image above,) but there is a case for curved screens on devices. Samsung is claiming that this iteration of the flexible AMOLED screen has a resolution four times clearer than its previous bendable model. It can withstand up to 400-450 degrees during manufacturing, 50-100 degrees past previous screens' typical melting point.

Watch this: Samsung's see-through phone screen

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We also checked out a transparent qFHD (quad full high definition) AMOLED display that Samsung is working on for TVs and monitors. According to Samsung, this 19-incher boasts up to 30 percent transparency even when switched off, compared with 10 percent in most models.

During its demo, Samsung set up its display like a diorama, projecting the moving image onto the box's transparent face while leaving a static background. Check it out in our from-the-floor video above.