flatpanel

Flat-panel displays are thin, lightweight display devices that present images on a flat substrate. They are used in televisions, computer monitors, laptops, smartphones, tablets, and signage, and they contrast with older cathode-ray tube displays in form factor and power consumption.

The major flat-panel technologies are LCD (liquid crystal display) and OLED (organic light-emitting diode); many LCDs use LED backlighting. LCDs control light by aligning liquid crystals between polarizers, while OLEDs generate light directly from organic compounds at each pixel. Plasma displays are a less common, older flat-panel technology. Within LCDs, variants such as TFT, IPS, and VA address pixels and affect color accuracy, contrast, and viewing angles.

Flat panels date from mid-20th century research, with commercial and consumer adoption accelerating in the 1990s and 2000s as production costs fell. By the 2010s, flat-panel televisions and high-resolution computer displays became standard, offering thin profiles, refined color gamut, and high dynamic range in newer models.

Advantages include a compact form factor, lower weight, energy efficiency, and the ability to produce high resolutions and wide viewing angles (depending on the technology). Limitations vary: LCDs historically suffered from contrast and viewing-angle issues on early models; OLEDs offer excellent contrast but can be susceptible to burn-in and cost; plasma displays have declined due to power use, size, and aging concerns.

In modern devices, flat-panel displays dominate consumer electronics, professional displays, and signage, with ongoing improvements in brightness, color accuracy, response times, and manufacturing efficiency.