Katarzyna Petru
At CES 2026, Lenovo together with TCL CSOT presented a conceptual laptop with a rollable OLED screen that can change the aspect ratio from the classic 16:10 to ultra-wide 21:9, and even 24:9 – all with the push of a button.
A year ago, at CES 2025, Samsung Display showcased the first expandable OLED screen for laptops, which extended vertically, creating a very tall display. This year's prototype takes a different, much more practical direction – the screen expands horizontally, which better accommodates the ways multimedia content and games are consumed. It's hard not to imagine working in 16:10 and then launching a game in ultra-wide – for example, Cyberpunk 2077 – or watching movies in native aspect ratios without black bars.
From 16:10 to 24:9
The default operating mode of the panel is 16:10 with a resolution of 2048 x 1280 pixels. This is not particularly high pixel density, but the screen can be physically expanded to:
21:9 with a resolution of 2986 x 1280
24:9 with a resolution of 3413 x 1280
Wider formats are much better suited for movies, series, and games, which are often created with cinematic aspect ratios in mind. TCL CSOT describes the mechanism used as a system based on two motors and controlled tension, which allows for smooth expansion of the screen from both sides, with minimal vibrations and low noise level. According to the manufacturer, the diagonal grows from 16 to 21.5 inches, and then to 24 inches, dynamically adjusting to the current needs of the user.
Fully Functional Prototype
Although we are dealing solely with a technology demonstration, the device is fully functional. Lenovo has equipped the laptop with an Intel Core Ultra processor and a mobile Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card, which clearly shows that the concept aims at the premium segment – also in terms of gaming.
TCL is increasingly focusing on OLED
The project is also part of a broader strategy by TCL CSOT related to the development of OLED technology. The company already has a smaller OLED panel factory, but it is simultaneously building a massive 8.6 generation production plant worth $4.15 billion.
Importantly, this will be the world's first OLED production line using inkjet printing technology, which could significantly reduce the production costs of large OLED panels in the future—not just for laptops, but also for monitors and televisions. For now, Lenovo and TCL's rollable OLED remains a concept, but CES 2026 clearly shows that flexible and variable screen formats are no longer a curiosity; they are beginning to meet user needs in a real way. If such a design goes on sale, it could completely change the way we think about screen formats in laptops.
