LG launches 32-inch e-ink display with large battery, Qi2 and webOS

LG has launched a new electronic paper display featuring a high-quality panel. The 32RS1Q-B is a digital signage display based on E Ink's Spectra 6 technology. Although LG does not identify the panel manufacturer or model in its press release, E Ink confirmed on LinkedIn that the display uses Spectra 6. This detail is also included in the spec sheet.

Spectra 6 is still relatively new and was showcased during Display Week 2023 in Los Angeles as a prototype. It has since been in mass production for several years and is already used in digital picture frames and similar products. However, the digital signage display is intended exclusively for indoor use. It is rated for temperatures between 32°F and 104°F and humidity levels of up to 70%. Other E Ink panels are considerably more robust, but they cannot reproduce colors as vividly as Spectra 6.

The panel delivers good color reproduction and resembles a printed surface in well-lit environments. The structure of the electronic paper display and its 2560 x 1440 resolution only become apparent when viewed up close. This makes the display suitable for content that only needs occasional updates. Regular image changes are possible, but they take some time and cause the panel to flash. Potential applications include menus with graphics above ordering counters, advertisements, promotions in hotel lobbies and retail signage. LG notes that the panel must not be exposed to sunlight in storefront windows, for example, as it would likely become too hot.

At no more than 0.7 inches thick and weighing 6.8 lbs, the display is relatively easy to integrate into indoor spaces. Its 72 Wh battery eliminates the need for a permanent power connection, allowing the display to be repositioned without creating a trip hazard with a cable. According to LG, the display consumes 0.5 watts when switched off and up to 6 watts while operating, meaning when images are being changed. Based on those numbers, it should provide at least ten hours of use. LG also includes an intelligent power-saving mode, which should keep consumption at 0.5 watts whenever the display is not being updated.

Multiple displays can be managed centrally. They support WiFi and run a version of webOS adapted for digital signage, based on the operating system used by LG TVs. The display also has a magnetic Qi2 charging interface on the back for easier management. A Qi2 power bank can supply up to 15 watts wirelessly, although LG says the feature is primarily intended to extend the display's runtime rather than recharge its internal battery. A USB Type-C port is provided for charging the battery itself.

Data is currently transferred via WiFi or USB Type-C. Bluetooth pairing is scheduled to arrive through a firmware update later in 2026. LG has not announced a price for the digital signage display, which is not unusual for project-based sales involving substantial volume discounts.