LG Display has started mass-production of what it claims is the world’s first flexible OLED panel for smartphones.

“Our goal is to take an early lead in the flexible display market by introducing new products with enhanced performance and differentiated designs next year,” said Sang Deog Yeo, CTO at LG Electronics’ display unit.

LG Display’s flexible OLED panel is built on plastic substrates instead of glass. And with a width of 0.44mm, LG Display says it is the world’s slimmest among existing mobile device panels.

The South Korean firm further claims the panel is the largest among current smartphone OLED displays with a 6-inch screen.

According to a Reuters’ source, LG Electronics plans to launch a smartphone with the curved display in November.

Samsung is reportedly readying a device with a curved screen for launch before the end of 2013.

According to research firm IHS Display Bank, the global flexible display industry will see dramatic growth and become a $1.5 billion market by 2016, exceeding $10 billion by 2019.