iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
LG Display announced on March 29, 2012, that it had begun mass-producing a 6-inch plastic electronic-paper display for e-books. The company called it the world’s first flexible e-paper display; that description is LG’s claim, not an independently established industry-wide finding. The announcement described a thin, lightweight panel that could bend up to 40 degrees from its center, but it did not identify a consumer e-reader that used it.
What LG announced
LG Display’s announcement concerned a plastic electronic-paper display (EPD) intended for e-books. It specified a 6-inch screen with XGA resolution—1024 × 768 pixels. LG’s corporate history separately records the development of a 6-inch e-ink display with a plastic backplane in March 2012, corroborating the development milestone but not every specification or production detail.
The detailed specifications below come from the company announcement as reproduced by HotHardware. LG’s corporate history independently corroborates the March 2012 development milestone.
How thin and light was the panel?
LG reported that the panel was 0.7 mm thick and weighed 14 g. The company compared it with glass electronic-paper displays of the same size and resolution, saying the plastic panel was more than half lighter. These are manufacturer-reported specifications and comparisons, not independent measurements.
#1 Best Overall
- 2.13 Inch Flexible Ink Screen e-Paper Display Module Panel Black White SPI Interface 212*104 Display DIY for Raspberry Pi
Could the display bend?
LG said the screen could bend up to 40 degrees from its center. That describes a limited bend, not a bend radius, a full fold, or evidence that the panel could be repeatedly flexed in everyday use.
How did LG adapt the manufacturing process?
According to the announcement, producing a plastic panel required adapting a high-temperature TFT manufacturing process that typically exceeds 350°C. Plastic is heat-sensitive, so LG said it modified the process for the material. The announcement describes the challenge and adaptation but does not provide further process details.
Rank #2
- No backlight required; keeps the last displayed content visible for a long time even after power-off
- Ultra low power consumption; basically power is only required for refreshing
- Features E‑Ink Spectra 6 full‑color E6 display with 240×240 resolution, delivering wide viewing angle over 170° for clear readability.
- Supports 3‑wire SPI and 4‑wire SPI interfaces; works with 3.3V raw panel or 3.3V/5V driver board power input for flexible host compatibility.
- 27‑second full refresh time, 2‑level greyscale support, ideal for low‑energy dashboard, label and embedded indicator projects.
What durability tests did LG report?
LG said the panel survived repeated drops from 1.5 m and a test involving a small urethane hammer without damage. The announcement does not specify the sample size or an independent testing protocol, and no third-party verification is established here. These are therefore company-reported test results, not independently demonstrated durability.
Was an e-reader with this screen released?
LG said it planned to supply the panels initially to original design manufacturers (ODMs) in China and expected finished products in Europe at the beginning of April 2012. That was a projection in the announcement; it does not confirm that products reached European stores. The available sources do not identify a specific e-reader using the panel, establish compatibility with any consumer device, or show that the panel was sold separately. The announcement is best understood as a manufacturing milestone, not evidence of a current retail product.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This is is 1.54inch e-Paper AIoT development board. Onboard 1.54inch e-paper display, 200 x 200 resolution, features ultra-low power consumption and ambient light readability, suitable for portable devices and long-battery-life scenarios. Supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n) and Bluetooth 5 (LE), with onboard antenna.
- Integrated with an RTC chip, SHTC3 temperature and humidity sensor, TF card slot, low-power audio codec chip circuit, and Lithium battery recharge management circuit. Reserved interfaces including USB, UART, I2C, and GPIO for easy functionality expansion and sensor connectivity, providing a flexible and reliable development platform for IoT terminals, electronic tags, portable displays, and other applications.
- Supports AI Speech Interaction: Allows access to online large model platforms such as ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Doubao, etc. Onboard audio codec chip, supports voice capture and playback, enabling AI voice interaction applications.
- Built-in 512KB Static RAM, 384KB ROM, with integrated 8MB Flash and 8MB PS RAM. Onboard PCF85063 RTC chip and SHTC3 temperature & humidity sensor for accurate RTC management and environmental monitoring.
- Onboard TF card slot for external storage of images or files. Onboard programmable PWR and BOOT side buttons for customized function development. Reserved 2 × 6 2.54mm pitch pin header for convenient external expansion.
Rank #4
- No Backlight, Persistent Display: Retains the last displayed content for an extended period, even without power, thanks to the lack of backlight.
- Ultra-Low Power Consumption: Power is only needed for refreshing the screen, making it an energy-efficient solution for long-term use.
- Comprehensive Development Resources: Includes an online manual, e-Paper Driver HAT circuit diagram, and example code for Raspberry Pi, Arduino, and STM32, ensuring smooth integration.
- Raspberry Pi Compatibility: Features a standard 40PIN GPIO extension header, supporting Raspberry Pi boards and offering easy connection with peripherals.
- Flexible Interface & Voltage Support: Uses an SPI interface for compatibility with controllers like Raspberry Pi, ESP32, Arduino, and STM32, and includes an onboard voltage translator for 3.3V/5V MCU compatibility.
Rank #3
- 1.54inch E-ink display for Raspberry Pi, 200 * 200 pixels, can display three colors: red, black, and white
- 1.54 inch eink screen, SPI interface, minimal pin usage
- 1.54 inch e-paper module, onboard Voltage Translator, compatible with both 3.3V and 5V microcontroller interfaces
- Color E paper display, open-source example programs available for Raspberry Pi, Arduino, STM32 and ESP32 development boards
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
