There is still some debate about the benefits of curved screens at home, whether they can really replicate the cinematic experience of movie houses or are just marketing hype. There’s also the promise of a more ergonomic display because of how they conform to the natural angle of our vision. Some people swear by curved screens, especially when it comes to more immersive content like movies and video games, but not everyone is a believer.
With many brands seemingly falling head over heels with curves, there seem to be fewer choices for flat-screeners. Even worse, you’re forced to make an upfront decision when making a purchase, without the option to change your mind later at no cost. If we already have phones that can fold in half, it shouldn’t be a huge leap to have monitors that can change their shape on a whim, which is exactly what LG is bringing to gamers’ desks in glorious 5K2K resolution.
Designer: LG
There are benefits and disadvantages to both curved and flat monitors, but people’s preferences can change every now and then. While movies and games might look great on a curved screen, regular applications and windows might look distorted. Content creation software that relies on accuracy and precision doesn’t benefit from such technology either, but there’s no way users can switch between the two modes unless they have different displays for different needs.
The upcoming LG UltraGear OLED Bendable Gaming Monitor (model 45GX990A) promises the flexibility to adjust to your needs without wasting money on extra equipment you might use only occasionally. The 45-inch monitor can go from flat to a 900R curvature in just a few seconds, making it possible to seamlessly switch between use cases in a snap. LG also promotes the monitor’s ability to quickly switch between resolution and refresh rate presets in order to match your needs.
To be clear, this is not the world’s first bendable monitor, but it is the first one to come with a very high 5K2K (5,120 x 2,160) resolution. The monitor’s 21:9 ultra-wide aspect ratio is also a boon to gamers who usually need more screen real estate at the sides than a taller canvas. That said, the monitor does feature a Dual-Mode function that lets you switch between 21:9 and 16:9 aspect ratios as well as different picture sizes for compatibility with different types of content.
LG is also announcing two other curved monitors that don’t change their shape for those ready to go all in on that kind of display. The 45-inch UltraGear 45GX950A boasts a more pronounced 800R curvature while the 39-inch UltraGear 39GX90SA offers a slightly more compact size, both with wide 21:9 aspect ratios. All three monitors come with LG’s WOLED (White OLED with color filters) technology for even better color reproduction that both gamers and creators demand. Availability of these new curved LG monitors has yet to be announced, but they will be showcased at CES 2025 next year.
