Theme 3. OLED
#37: Transparent OLED
LG Display has turned what once seemed like a sci-fi fantasy into reality with its transparent display technology. Whether it’s showing subway maps on clear train windows or displaying product information on retail store showcases, the potential applications are limitless. In this article, we introduce Transparent OLED—a display that maximizes both visibility and transparency by leveraging the core strengths of OLED.
① What is transparent display?
A “transparent display” is exactly what it sounds like—a screen that allows viewers to see through it while still displaying content. Unlike conventional displays that occupy a portion of a wall or space, transparent displays offer a dual function: they provide visual information when needed and seamlessly blend with the surrounding environment when not in use, creating a sense of openness.
② What are the differences between LG Display’s Transparent OLED
and Conventional LCD-based transperent displays?
LG Display’s Transparent OLED enhances the key advantage of OLED—self-emissive pixels that don’t require a backlight. Traditional LCD-based transparent displays require a backlight and color filters, which limit transparency to the mid-10% range and result in a higher level of haze (blurriness).
In contrast, Transparent OLED from LG Display features a self-emissive structure with each pixel lighting up independently, achieving a much higher transparency rate of 45%, compared to the 10%-range of LCDs.
Moreover, it allows viewers to see what’s behind the screen while enjoying OLED’s vivid color expression and superior design flexibility—enhancing both space efficiency and aesthetics.
③ Where can Transparent OLED be used?
Combining design and practicality, Transparent OLED is an ideal fit for commercial spaces like shopping malls, office interiors, homes, and even mobility environments. It transforms previously non-display surfaces—such as windows, glass walls, store displays, vehicle windshields, and partitions—into valuable information and design platforms.
▲LG Display’s Transparent OLED showcasing versatile applications in subway train windows, future mobility, and retail spaces
Most recently, LG Display became the first to apply Transparent OLED in Korea’s subway platforms. Installed on platform screen doors, which were previously used solely for safety, the Transparent OLED enables passengers to view emergency situations through the glass while also receiving real-time subway line maps, schedule information, and other helpful content—dramatically increasing both safety and utility.
