LG Slide-Out Screen Phone: What We Know

Updated 7 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Yes, LG has teased a phone with a slide-out screen, but as of now it remains a concept, not a confirmed retail product. The company has shown off a rollable display prototype that extends from a compact phone-sized body into a larger tablet-like screen, and it has filed patents for such a design. However, LG has not announced a release date, price, or official name for this device, and its future is uncertain given LG’s 2021 exit from the smartphone business.

Background: LG’s Display Innovations

LG has a long history of pushing display boundaries, especially in TVs. The company commercialized the first rollable OLED TV, the LG Signature OLED R, which rolls its screen into a base when not in use. That same underlying technology—flexible OLED panels that can bend without breaking—is what makes a slide-out phone possible. LG Display, the panel-making subsidiary, has shown off 12-inch and 18-inch rollable displays that can extend like a scroll. These were demonstrated at trade shows and in corporate videos, but they were never sold as consumer devices.

In the smartphone space, LG experimented with modular designs (the G5), dual screens (the V50 and Velvet), and a dual-screen case accessory. The slide-out phone would be a natural next step, but the company’s mobile division was shut down in July 2021 after years of losses. Since then, LG has stated it will continue to develop display technology, but not phones. So the slide-out phone tease is best understood as a display showcase, not a product roadmap.

How a Slide-Out Screen Works

The core idea is a flexible OLED panel that is rolled or folded inside the phone’s body, then pulled out to expand the display area. In a typical implementation:

The screen is attached to a motorized or manual sliding mechanism.
When closed, the phone looks like a normal handset with a display that wraps around the back or is partially hidden.
When opened, the panel unrolls from a cylindrical chamber, increasing the diagonal size by 30–50%.
The back of the phone often has a second, smaller display for notifications when the main screen is retracted.

Unlike foldable phones that crease in the middle, a slide-out screen has no fold line—the panel bends in a continuous curve. This avoids the visible crease that plagues early foldable devices. The trade-off is thickness: the phone must house a roller mechanism, which adds bulk compared to a standard slab phone. LG’s patents show a design with a motorized slide, but a manual pull is also possible to save cost and weight.

What LG Actually Teased

In early 2021, LG released a short video titled “LG Rollable” that showed a phone with a slide-out display. The video was part of LG’s CES 2021 announcements, where the company said the device would launch later that year. The phone was shown extending from a 6.8-inch screen to a 7.4-inch display when a button was pressed. However, in April 2021, LG announced it was shutting down its smartphone business, and the Rollable was never released. The video and press materials remain as a teaser, but there is no working consumer device available.

Since then, LG Display has shown rollable panels at trade shows, including a 12-inch model that could be used in a laptop or tablet, but these are not phones. The company has also filed patents for slide-out displays in various form factors, including a phone with a screen that slides out from the side. These patents do not guarantee a product, but they show where LG’s R&D is headed.

Comparison: Slide-Out vs. Foldable Phones

If you’re considering a phone with an expandable screen, you have two main options today: foldable phones (like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold or the Huawei Mate X) and the concept of a slide-out. Here’s how they compare:

Durability: Slide-out screens avoid the fold crease, but the sliding mechanism can wear out. Foldables have a hinge that is also a wear point, but they’ve been in production longer.
Thickness: Foldables are typically thicker than normal phones when closed. Slide-out designs also add thickness, but possibly less because the screen doesn’t need to fold flat.
Screen protection: Foldables use ultra-thin glass that can scratch easily. A slide-out screen is protected inside the body when retracted, which could reduce scratches.
Software: Both need software to adapt to changing screen sizes. Android has added support for foldables, but slide-out screens are not yet a standard form factor, so app compatibility could be an issue.

As of now, no major manufacturer sells a slide-out phone. The only way to get an expandable screen is to buy a foldable, which are available from Samsung, Huawei, Motorola, and others.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that a slide-out screen is the same as a rollable TV. While both use flexible OLED, a phone has much tighter space constraints and must withstand daily handling, drops, and dust. A TV sits in one place; a phone goes in your pocket. That makes the engineering much harder.

Another issue is the screen’s durability when extended. If you drop the phone while the screen is out, the exposed panel could crack. Since the screen is flexible, it might also be more prone to punctures. LG’s patents show a design with a protective layer, but no real-world testing data exists because no product shipped.

Battery life is another concern. A larger screen consumes more power, but the phone’s body size limits battery capacity. A slide-out phone would likely need a battery similar to a regular phone, but power a larger display when open. That could reduce battery life compared to a phone with a fixed smaller screen.

Cost and Availability

Because no slide-out phone is on sale, there is no price to quote. For context, foldable phones typically cost $1,500–$2,000 at launch. A slide-out phone would likely be in a similar premium range, given the complex mechanism and flexible OLED panel. LG’s rollable TV cost around $87,000 when it launched in 2021, but that’s a 65-inch screen, not a phone. For a phone, the bill of materials would be higher than a standard flagship due to the custom display and motor, but mass production could bring costs down.

If you’re hoping to buy one, the realistic answer is: don’t hold your breath. LG is not making phones. Other companies have shown concept devices, but none have announced a slide-out phone for release in the near future. If you want an expandable screen today, a foldable is your only choice.

Safety and Practical Considerations

If a slide-out phone ever becomes a real product, there are a few safety and practical points to consider:

The sliding mechanism could pinch fingers if it’s motorized. LG’s patents show a manual override, but a motor could still be a hazard.
Dust and sand can get into the sliding track and damage the screen. A phone with an exposed track would need a good dust seal.
The flexible OLED panel is sensitive to extreme temperatures. Leaving it in a hot car could cause the screen to deform.
Because the screen is flexible, it may not be compatible with standard screen protectors. You’d need a custom solution.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they are reasons why a slide-out phone is harder to build than a foldable. The technology is promising, but it’s not ready for the mass market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will LG release a slide-out phone?

No. LG exited the smartphone business in 2021, and the company has stated it will not make phones again. The slide-out phone was a concept that was never released. LG Display may continue to make rollable panels for other devices, but not for an LG-branded phone.

Is a slide-out screen better than a foldable?

It’s a trade-off. A slide-out screen avoids the crease and could be more scratch-resistant when closed, but the sliding mechanism adds complexity and potential failure points. Foldables have been on the market for several years and are more mature. Neither is objectively better; it depends on your priorities.

Can I buy a phone with a slide-out screen today?

No. There is no consumer phone with a slide-out screen on the market. Some companies have shown prototypes, but none have announced a release date. If you want an expandable screen, you’ll need to buy a foldable phone.

What happened to LG’s rollable phone?

LG announced the Rollable in January 2021, with plans to launch it later that year. In April 2021, LG announced it was shutting down its mobile division, and the Rollable was cancelled. No units were sold.

How much would a slide-out phone cost?

There’s no official price, but based on foldable phone pricing and the expensive flexible OLED panel, a slide-out phone would likely cost $1,500 or more. The rollable TV from LG cost tens of thousands of dollars, but a phone would be cheaper due to smaller size and scale.

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