At last year’s CES show, Samsung and LG demonstrated TVs that could go from flat to curved with the push of a button. This year, Samsung demonstrated displays that can physically change shape, including one that can change shape from 16:9 to 21:9 aspect ratio.

Shape-shifting TVs
Besides a 170-inch TV that was made up of smaller display modules, Samsung demonstrated two shape-shifting displays in a “Future TV Zone” at CES.

The first of the two was made up of eight modules that could move around on a wall to create new shapes and use cases. When merged in the center, the modules made up what looked a regular screen but the setup also made it possible to move the modules apart to create smaller video canvases on the wall.

Samsung said that the modules were based on tiny light emitting diodes (LED). The seams between the screens were virtually invisible.



From 16:9 to 21:9 aspect ratio
The second concept was a LCD display divided into two segments that could rotate 90 degrees. This allowed the display to change shape from the 16:9 aspect ratio (for TV programs) to the much wider 21:9 aspect ratio (for movies).

The seam was not visible but we are not entirely sure that this was in fact two separate screens. It looked more like one large screen with a black background.



Samsung says that “in the years to come, customers will experience ever greater choice and control, as the current barriers around screen size, shape and versatility are overcome”.

The company has dubbed the concepts “modular display” and “transformable TV” but stresses that there are no current plans to sell these modules.