Smartphones with ‘self-healing’ displays will arrive within five years, analysts predict

In a bold projection, CCS Insight, an influential analyst firm, anticipates that smartphones with displays capable of repairing themselves may become a reality as early as 2028. In their recent report outlining key tech predictions for 2024 and beyond, CCS Insight suggests that smartphone manufacturers will embark on producing devices featuring "self-healing" displays within the next five years. The concept behind this innovation hinges on the incorporation of a special "nano coating" on the display's surface. When scratched, this coating generates a new material that reacts to air exposure, effectively filling in imperfections.

"This is not science fiction; it's a feasible development," commented Wood, a representative of CCS Insight, during a recent call with CNBC. "The main challenge lies in setting accurate expectations."

The idea of self-repairing smartphone displays is not entirely new, as several companies have been exploring this technology for some time. South Korean electronics giant LG, for instance, was promoting self-healing technology in its smartphones as early as 2013. Their device, the G Flex, boasted a vertically curved screen and a mysterious "self-healing" coating on the back cover. However, the details of how this technology worked remained undisclosed at the time.

"We're talking about new technologies that are currently in development, indicating that this could be a path worth exploring. We're not discussing shattered screens miraculously coming back to life, but rather addressing minor cosmetic scratches," Wood explained to CNBC.

Several other phone manufacturers have also explored the concept of self-repairing materials. In 2017, Motorola filed a patent for a screen made from a "shape memory polymer" that, when cracked, would automatically repair itself when subjected to heat. Apple, on the other hand, secured a patent for a folding iPhone with a display cover capable of self-repair when damaged.

However, the practical implementation of this technology in a commercially successful handset remains elusive. Several challenges must be overcome, including substantial investments in research and development to identify new innovations in smartphone screens, as well as marketing and mass production costs. It is crucial that consumers are correctly informed about the extent of damage that can be autonomously repaired without manual intervention.

Wood even humorously expressed concerns about tech enthusiasts testing the self-healing capabilities, such as popular YouTuber JerryRigsEverything. He emphasized that self-healing devices are not intended to withstand deliberate damage but to make minimal surface repairs autonomously.

Phone manufacturers continue to push the boundaries of display technology. At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Motorola unveiled a concept smartphone that can be rolled vertically when pushed upward. Samsung is also making significant progress toward commercial smartphones with more advanced displays, with devices like the folding Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 capable of folding hundreds of thousands of times over their lifetime.