Provided is a display device and method configured to change an image displayed in a display area flexibly when the display area is changed. The flexible display device depending on change of a display area comprises a memory, a location output unit and a screen display unit. The memory is configured to store size information of a display area displayed on a screen and the entire image data of the displayed image. The location computing unit is configured to compute a start point of the changed display area when the display area is changed. The display unit is configured to decode data corresponding to the size of the display area based on the computed new start point from the image data to display the decoded data in the display area. Since the start point is obtained with center point of the changed display area and its size information and then an display area to be displayed is determined based on the start point, a current search location is maintained as it is even when the screen is swung.