LG unveils the world’s first bendable 5K2K gaming monitor

Like Elastigirl from the seminal Pixar film The phenomenal ones, LG’s latest widescreen display is a “5K2K” OLED monitor that goes from a standard flat screen to a 900R curved screen. It’s extra large at 45 inches and will cost a pretty penny, but it might also be the only monitor you’ll ever need.

LG is known for its experiments with flexible, morphable screen materialbut the 45GX990A still comes as a surprise. LG is promoting its latest 45-inch panel that offers flexibility beyond bending. It includes VRR (no word for highest refresh rate) along with its “Dual Mode” feature that lets you switch between preset resolutions. The display comes with a switch to switch between 21:9 or 16:9 aspect ratio or other picture sizes – 39, 34 or 27 inches – without digging into monitor settings. LG said there are a total of eight different configurations.

To avoid getting confused by the “5K2K” resolution claims, the display is 5120 by 2160, but this will change depending on the settings you use on the monitor. The pixel count is effectively equivalent to the height of 4K, at 3840 by 2160. If you plan on gaming at such a setting, you’ll want to run games that offer ultrawide support. At least the LG Flexible OLED is rated for Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium. It should also include support for DisplayPort 2.1 HDMI 2.1 (even with HDMI 2.2 on the horizon) and 90W power.

The 45GX990A is a standard OLED with a response time of .03 MS typical for this type of display. It may not be as beautiful as other 16:9 curved monitors Alienware’s AW3225QF from earlier this year, but the difference will be negligible. I also enjoyed the Philips Evnia 34M2C8600 QDOLED with its 1800R curve. I’ve never felt the need to suddenly swap a curved display for a flat screen, though perhaps the top end of the UltraGear GX9 series might change my mind.

LG trades the quantum dots on these other screens for size and flexibility—literally and figuratively. You get a massive 45-inch screen that can fit your desired curve, whether it fills your periphery or offers a slight curve to your typical workstation. Either way, 45 inches would swallow most desks, so say goodbye to your multi-monitor setup.

That’s all before we know the prices of these displays before LG shows them off during CES 2025 in the second week of January. LG has additional, non-flexible monitors like its sister curved OLED and the 45GX950A, which features the same 5K2K OLED but with a standard 800R curve. LG also claims that this model has limited bezels to a “virtually borderless design.” Joining this fellow, presumably expensive monitor, is a “smart gaming monitor”, the UltraGear 39GX90SA. This 800R curved OLED display uses LG’s Linux-based webOS to act like your typical smart TV, which can make it good for streaming games or movies.

Again, no word on price or release time. LG finally started selling is famous transparent Signature OLED Twhich was first shown at CES 2024 earlier this month for $60,000. I don’t expect LG to take nearly as long for its UltraGear GX9 series, but that depends on the screen manufacturer. Last year, LG’s big CES announcement was a 240 Hz monitor that could also go to 480 Hz. This display costs $1400 MSRP. Judging by its size, we expect the GX9 to cost even more.