LG’s new transparent TV is the solution to a problem that doesn’t exist

LG has today unveiled the world’s first wireless transparent television in what was one of the biggest “wow” moments during CES so far. The LG Signature OLED T (you can probably guess what the T stands for) can operate in both transparent mode and as a standard TV when the contrast screen is raised. It’s designed to disappear when not in use, allowing for “revolutionary reconfiguration of space,” according to Frank Lee from LG’s Home Entertainment team.

We got to get close-up and personal with the LG OLED T, and it’s an utterly stunning example of what OLED technology is capable of. The thing is, it feels like the solution to a problem that no one actually has.

In one of the promotional images, the TV is shown placed in front of a large apartment window looking out onto the Eiffel Tower. Thanks to the wonders of the LG Signature OLED T, you can finally see right through the screen and out to the Parisian skyline while watching Succession. While it is exceptionally cool, there simply aren't a lot of use cases for a transparent TV. Owning one would purely be a flex, and the fun of the transparency gimmick would undoubtedly get old fast.

Still, it’s an interesting contrast to the current popularity of TVs like Samsung’s Frame and Serif and LG’s own StanbyME, which are designed to stand out, to become focal points of the living space. While the aforementioned TVs feel like a response to the maximalism interior design trend, the LG OLED T screams minimalism.

“LG’s transparent OLED gives customers greater freedom to curate their living spaces, completely redefining what’s possible and pointing the way to an exciting future for the television industry,” explained ​​Park Hyoung-sei, president of LG Home Entertainment.

No pricing or date of availability has been given for the LG Signature OLED T, but we can just about guarantee it will not come cheap.