Whether consumers want it or not, it seems that phone manufacturers want to make flexible displays the next big thing. Specifically, LG stated it intends to introduce a smartphone with a flexible OLED display in the fourth quarter of the year while discussing its financial results for the first quarter.

The company's vice president of mobile, Yoon Bu-hyun, said that his division and LG Display are working closely to bring this phone to consumers. However, since not every component of a smartphone can be flexible — although a flexible circuit board would certainly be interesting — it's more likely that LG is planning to do something unique with the display, like wrap it around the side of the phone.

Not surprisingly, the company's rival, Samsung (News - Alert), has also been working to bring flexible displays to market. In fact, Samsung brought a prototype smartphone with a wraparound display, called Youm, to this year's CES (News - Alert) in January.

The company even showed off a television with a curved OLED panel, which is meant to offer an immersive panorama effect not currently possible with traditional flat panel TVs. While it remains to be seen whether or not curved OLED televisions truly offer a significantly improved experience, however, the possibilities for smartphones are a bit more apparent.

Samsung's wraparound display prototype, for example, made it possible to view notifications on the side of the device. A more useful benefit offered by flexible displays is their greater resistance to damage than traditional OLED panels.

Either way, LG's announcement today is the first time either manufacturer has announced an actual release, instead of just demonstrating a prototype device. There are doubts as to whether LG will be able to keep its promise, as well, considering how difficult it is to manufacture a new technology like this on any significant scale. As always, interested consumers have no choice but to wait and see.