After many years of consumers wondering whether or not flexible displays would ever be possible, it has been achieved by Samsung and LG within a few months of each other. The two companies decided to showcase these flexible televisions in the national Consumer Electronics Show.

At the small end were bendable displays in the 6-inch (152mm) LG G Flex phone and in the 5.7-inch (145mm) Samsung Galaxy Round.

At the large end, is a genre that has come out of the blue: bendable TVs  a 77-inch (2m) demonstrator from LG and 85-inch (2.2m) demonstrator from Samsung.

But it has to be asked why would anyone want a bendable television?

It is believed that the large curved screens improve the TV viewing experience. “The curved screen gives videos a presence not felt on flat screens whilst a wider field of view creates a panoramic effect that makes the display seem even bigger than it is. The TV screen appears as if it is floating above the metal frame,” said Samsung. “The design creates improved viewing angles and higher contrast from different viewing positions. To maximise the advantages, Samsung has developed the optimal curvature, 4200R, which provides the best picture quality from a normal watching distance of 3-4m.”

However the problem with these types of televisions is that having a curve means that it is aimed at a single viewer or a tight cluster of views, the reason for this is because when viewers are spread around the room  it makes it more difficult to watch.

As making the flat/curved decision could put people off committing one way or the other, why not make TVs that will bend their own screens at the touch of a button.

Alongside bendable display TVs, the two companies also competed with very large permanently-curved screen TVs at CES.

So why did they choose to make the screens so wide?

 “An advantage of the extra-wide screen is that it enables users to access viewing information on the side of the screen without blocking any of the ongoing action,” said the firm.

 “Two people can watch two different channels at the same time on the same screen using Multi-View glasses that come with ear buds for stereo sound,” said Samsung. “This feature, made possible by an exceptional refresh rate, is so advanced that viewers can watch any combination of 2D and 3D content simultaneously