Chinese electronics maker Xiaomi appears to have beat LG to the punch, by releasing the world’s first mass-produced transparent OLED television – available to purchase internationally as soon as next week.
The 55-inch Xiaomi Mi TV LUX OLED Transparent Edition TV will cost RMB 49,999 (~US$7,200), and go on sale in China on August 16.
It comes after Xiaomi launched its own dedicated Australian e-store last year, with its phones also ranged from local retailers such as JB Hi-Fi.
The new TV harnesses a ‘see-through’ OLED panel, that resembles a clear window when turned off. Turned on, the products projects the illusion of ‘floating’ images.
Whilst this technology has been apparent in commercial LED panels for some time, OLED technology seeks to increase aesthetics with the reduction of a backlight.
Last year, LG unveiled a transparent TV with claims it would roll-out production in the future, however, a lack of follow-through suggests Xiaomi has charged ahead.
Despite this, commentators speculate it’s highly likely the Xiaomi TV incorporates a transparent OLED panel from LG Display given development timelines.
The Xiaomi Mi TV LUX Transparent Edition offers a 55″ OLED panel, with claims of a 1ms pixel response time, 150,000:1 static contrast ratio and 10-bit colour.
The product harnesses a custom MediaTek 9560 chipset with Xiaomi AI Master Smart Engine image processing functionality, boost by Dolby Atmos audio support.
The transparent television is housed on a circular base with a 5.7mm thick frame, and cannot be wall mounted.
Always-on display leverages down time when the television is not, with the user interface tweaked to take advantage of its transparent display.