LG Display to launch first 42-inch OLED panel in 2021 TV lineup

LG Display debuts all-new sizes with its 2021 OLED family including its smallest panel yet.

With LG Display on track to detail its 2021 lineup at this year's all-digital CES, details have emerged surrounding its expanded LG OLED panel family ahead of time, including various new options on the roadmap. The Korean manufacturer has detailed plans to rapidly expand its OLED offerings throughout the coming calendar year, including its first 42-inch and 83-inch panels.

LG has emerged as a pioneer in OLED technologies, pushing per-pixel precision with various benefits, namely with ultra-deep blacks, wide viewing angles, and overall bolstering picture quality. That saw displays like the LG CX consistently recommended throughout 2020, often named the best 4K TV for Xbox Series X and PS5 through their November launches. LG now plans to expand that range for 2021, with its 42-inch OLED expected to turn heads, especially in gaming.

LG will unveil its fully 2021 OLED TV range on January 11, with extensive reports suggesting the transition to a new naming scheme, featuring the LG B1, C1, G1, and more. An improved OLED panel is expected, improving upon its award-winning 2020 family. While competent in video playback, new HDMI 2.1 technologies like 4K HDR at 120Hz, and variable refresh rates (VRR) make these uniquely suited to the latest PC hardware and game consoles.

The addition of a 42-inch option should excite some in the market, delivering some of its most compact OLEDs to date. That could see these OLEDs more widely-adopted, suited for smaller spaces and desktop use, like PC gaming. That's set to complement returning models, with 48-, 55-, 65-, 77- and 88-inch already available across the existing series.

Expect more about pricing and availability for 2021 TVs with LG's CES 2021 press conference, coupled with the improvements over existing OLED offerings. It's worth noting the 55-inch LG OLEDs previously undercut the 48-inch panels, which will likely be the case with its new 42-inch addition. The manufacturer reportedly hopes to ship 7 million to 8 million OLED panels throughout 2021, as adoption grows worldwide.