When the contrast layer is lowered, the screen operates in a see-through mode, allowing viewers to see objects behind the display and enabling mixed digital-physical viewing experiences such as digital art overlays. Raising the contrast layer transforms the TV into a conventional opaque OLED display, improving contrast and black levels for traditional viewing. The opaque film rolls down into a box at the base of the unit, which also houses part of the electronics and serves as a structural stand, LG officials said during CES 2024.

The Signature OLED T features a 77-inch 4K transparent OLED panel paired with a mechanically deployable opaque contrast layer that can be raised or lowered at the press of a button, according to LG.

The OLED T integrates LG’s Alpha 11 processor, the company’s latest high-end TV chipset announced for its 2024 premium OLED lineup, and runs on the webOS smart TV platform. The TV uses LG’s wireless video and audio transmission system, which separates signal inputs from the panel to reduce visible cabling. According to LG and multiple CES reports, the screen requires only a single power cable, while HDMI and other sources connect to a separate wireless module housed in a “Zero Connect” style box positioned away from the display. This architecture allows for flexible placement in open spaces such as in front of windows or in the middle of a room without clutter from cables.

Demonstrations at the Las Vegas Convention Center from January 9 to 12 showcased the OLED T displaying moving digital art, ambient scenes, and user interface overlays while maintaining transparency to the background environment. LG and third-party videos highlighted use cases involving decor integration, such as placing the TV in front of shelving or windows where physical objects remain partially visible through the screen. The contrast layer can be raised to create a cinema-style viewing mode and then retracted to restore the transparent visual presence, officials said.

LG has positioned the Signature OLED T as a next-generation innovation in flexible and novel form-factor display technology, building on several years of rollable and transparent OLED demonstrations at previous CES events. The company’s earlier Signature OLED TV R, introduced at CES in Las Vegas, was the world’s first rollable OLED TV featuring a panel that rises from and retracts into a base. That model offered Full View, Line View, and Zero View modes and was tested to tens of thousands of roll-up and roll-down cycles, according to LG. The OLED T represents an evolution by combining a transparent OLED panel with a rollable contrast layer rather than a fully rollable main screen, sources confirmed.

LG officials and multiple reports indicated the Signature OLED T is planned to go on sale later in 2024, initially in the 77-inch size only. As of CES 2024 coverage, LG had not announced final pricing, though several outlets noted the price is expected to be very high. An ecoustics report cited LG’s confidence that the T-series will be available in late 2024, though detailed specifications and region-by-region availability remain pending. Industry commentary framed the OLED T as a halo or flagship design piece aimed at early adopters and luxury buyers rather than the mass market at launch, similar to the trajectory of the earlier Signature OLED TV R rollable model.

CES 2024 visitors had the opportunity to experience the OLED T at LG’s booth alongside other advanced display technologies. The event ran from January 9 through January 12 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, where LG positioned the OLED T as a centerpiece of its exhibit. Reviewers noted the TV’s nearly cable-free appearance from the viewer’s perspective and the seamless mechanical operation of the rollable contrast film. The transparent OLED panel allows for new living-room layouts that do not require a solid wall behind the television and reduce the visual dominance of a large black panel when the TV is turned off, according to LG’s presentation and third-party coverage.

LG’s development of rollable OLED TVs spans several years, including a 65-inch rollable 4K OLED prototype shown by LG Display at prior CES events. The company continues to advance flexible OLED technology through iterative demonstrations and engineering work focused on durability and user experience. The Signature OLED T’s introduction at CES 2024 marks the latest step in LG’s strategy to innovate in flexible and transparent display formats.

Although Samsung officially announced the Galaxy Z Fold5 and Galaxy Z Flip5 smartphones on July 26, 2023, at its Galaxy Unpacked event, the devices were prominently featured at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, where the Galaxy Z Fold5 received a CES Innovation Award from the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). The award recognized the Fold5’s advanced Flex Hinge design and foldable form factor, highlighting the device’s innovation in smartphone technology, according to CES 2024 Innovation Awards materials.

Samsung’s global newsroom and regional press releases emphasize that the Z Fold5 and Z Flip5 represent the fifth generation of Galaxy foldables, with improvements in hinge design, camera capabilities, and portability.

The company described the Fold5 as 10 grams lighter and 2.4 millimeters slimmer than its predecessor, featuring a new Flex Hinge that allows the phone to close fully flat, eliminating the gap present in earlier models. The Fold5’s main display is a 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity Flex Display with QXGA+ resolution (2176×1812 pixels) and an adaptive 120 Hz refresh rate, while its cover display measures 6.2 inches with HD+ resolution and the same adaptive refresh rate range, according to Samsung’s specifications.

The Galaxy Z Flip5 features a 6.7-inch Full HD+ AMOLED foldable main display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and an enlarged 3.4-inch AMOLED cover screen operating at 60 Hz. This larger cover screen supports expanded functionality, including running select Android apps while the phone is closed. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and equipped with 8 GB of LPDDR5X RAM, the Flip5 offers storage options of 256 GB and 512 GB. Its camera system includes a 12-megapixel main and ultrawide rear camera setup, complemented by a 10-megapixel selfie camera on the inner display. Samsung markets the Flip5’s FlexCam modes as enabling hands-free and angled photography, according to official product descriptions.

Pricing for the devices remains consistent with their predecessors, with the Galaxy Z Flip5 starting at $999 and the Galaxy Z Fold5 priced between $1,799 and $1,800 in the United States. Regional pricing varies; for example, in Mexico, the Flip5 starts at 24,999 pesos for the 256 GB model, with pre-order promotions offering double storage capacity and accessory bundles. Both devices support all major U.S. carriers, including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and associated MVNOs, according to carrier compatibility information compiled by Android-focused outlets.

Samsung offers the Galaxy Z Flip5 in at least eight color options, including four widely available retail colors—Cream, Graphite, Lavender, and Mint—and four Samsung.com exclusive colors: Blue, Gray, Green, and Yellow. The Galaxy Z Fold5 is available in standard colors such as Icy Blue, Phantom Black, and Cream, with Blue and Gray offered exclusively through Samsung’s website. Official cases for the Flip5 range in price from $39.99 to $89.99, providing consumers with various personalization options.

Both foldable smartphones are integrated into Samsung’s broader ecosystem, designed to work seamlessly with the Galaxy Watch6 series and Galaxy Tab S9 tablets, which were also announced at the Galaxy Unpacked 2023 event. Samsung has confirmed that the devices will receive One UI 6.1 software updates incorporating Galaxy AI features during the first half of 2024, extending their functionality beyond the initial launch.

CES 2024 materials and Samsung’s corporate communications do not indicate that the Z Fold5 or Z Flip5 were newly unveiled at the show; rather, their presence and recognition at CES reflect their status as mature, mainstream foldables that exemplify the current state of foldable smartphone technology. Industry commentators and tech outlets have described the devices as iterative updates focused on design refinements such as the gapless hinge and larger Flip5 cover screen, which contributed to the Fold5’s Innovation Award recognition at CES.

The Galaxy Z Fold5 and Z Flip5 were commercially available globally following their July 2023 launch, with Samsung and its partners employing pre-order incentives such as memory upgrades and accessory bundles to encourage early adoption. The Consumer Technology Association’s recognition situates the Fold5 within a broader narrative of future-oriented mobile design, underscoring Samsung’s ongoing investment in foldable smartphone innovation.