Next-generation XR ecosystem driven by AI integration and device convergence

As AI technology advances, the XR market is heating up again, evolving from a simple wearable device to a personalized digital assistant. Global big tech companies such as Google, Meta, Apple, and others are taking the lead in the market with their respective ecosystems, and Samsung Electronics is also joining the trend with aggressive investments and product strategies.

Recent XR devices have gone beyond basic functions such as music listening, camera shooting, and voice control to include advanced AI functions such as real-time translation, object recognition, and personalized information at their core. This is greatly increasing their utility in everyday life and evolving the way they interact with users.

For example, Meta has sold over 1 million units of AI smart glasses in collaboration with Ray-Ban and is leading the democratization of AI glasses with real-time content generation and Q&A capabilities. Google is building a smart glasses ecosystem that combines its Gemini AI with the Android XR SDK, and a joint development project with Samsung is well underway.

Apple is expected to launch a Vision Pro M5 version in Q3 2025, followed by the lighter Vision Air in 2027 and a display-less Ray-Ban-style smart glasses in 2028. In the second half of 2028, the second generation of Vision Pro with an all-new design and XR glasses with a color display are planned for mass production. Vision Air and Vision Pro Gen 2 are expected to be lighter and more affordable with a new design. Apple’s Vision Pro launched in 2024, was priced at $3,499, which was considered too high for consumer expectations and a product that was technologically advanced but disconnected from the market and consumer reality. The Apple Vision Pro’s 1.42-inch, 3391 PPI high-resolution display was a major contributor to its high cost. Apple’s development plan shows Apple’s long-term vision to enter the mass smart glasses market and build an ecosystem while maintaining the premium XR headset market.

Samsung Electronics will officially launch its next premium XR device, Moohan, in the second half of this year. The product will provide new XR experience through the convergence of AI and display technology and will signal Samsung’s entry into the XR ecosystem. The device will feature a 1.3-inch, 2000 PPI OLED-on-Silicon (OLEDoS) display developed by Samsung Display, which is expected to offer light weight, excellent battery efficiency, and a price below $2,000. Samsung initially looked at Sony’s 1.3-inch, 3800 PPI OLEDoS. It remains to be seen whether Samsung will split the product into premium and entry-level variants for price competitiveness or release it as a single product.

Starting with Project Moohan, Samsung plans to launch an integrated strategy that encompasses XR hardware, software, content, and platforms. To this end, Samsung is strengthening its collaboration with big global tech companies such as Google and Qualcomm and is simultaneously promoting ‘Project Hyean’ to maximize connectivity with the entire Galaxy ecosystem, including smartphones, watches, and rings.

Changho Noh, Analyst at UBI Research  (chnoh@ubiresearch.com)

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BOE Opposes Hefei Government’s Withdrawal from B9 Stake… Sensitive to Potential Fund Shift to Visionox

BOE's OLED Panel Production Complex (Source: BOE)

BOE’s OLED Panel Production Complex (Source: BOE)

Concerns Rise That B9 Funds May Be Diverted to Visionox’s FMM-Based Line Following ViP Investments

BOE is strongly opposing the Hefei local government’s move to withdraw its stake in the B9 OLED plant. The Hefei government is reportedly seeking to divest its shares worth around 20 billion yuan, and there are growing concerns that the funds could be redirected to Visionox’s V5 line—a direct competitor. BOE is closely monitoring the direction of this potential fund reallocation.

Currently, Visionox is investing in a 7.5K production capacity line at the V5 plant, implementing its proprietary ViP (Visionox intelligent Pixelization) technology. Visionox initially planned to build a 15K production capacity line using a ViP + FMM (Fine Metal Mask) hybrid method. However, due to financial constraints, the FMM portion of the investment was put on hold. If the capital withdrawn from B9 is allocated to Visionox, the company could not only complete the ViP line but also proceed with the additional 7.5K FMM-based investment. This would pose a direct long-term threat to BOE’s market share and competitiveness.

For this reason, BOE is opposing the Hefei government’s withdrawal and aims to maintain its leadership in OLED investments in the Hefei region. BOE is also internally reviewing plans to reinvest the B9 equity into new production lines or expand existing ones. Meanwhile, the Hefei municipal government is reportedly considering new investment strategies to restructure the region’s display industry.

This issue of divestment and fund reallocation by the Hefei government signals more than just a financial adjustment—it indicates a potential realignment of technology, capital, and production capabilities within China’s OLED industry. The rivalry between BOE and Visionox is expected to intensify, possibly escalating into a broader strategic competition for OLED market leadership.

Junho Kim, Analyst at UBI Research (alertriot@ubiresearch.com)

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Chinese companies accelerate launch of AI glasses, intensifying competition in the AI glasses market

As AI technology continues to mature, the AI era is upon us. Following last year’s trend, 2025 is expected to see the release of even more AI-powered eyewear products. The integration of AI and AR technologies, which began last year, is set to flourish further by 2025. There are also rumors that Apple’s smart glasses will be released by the end of 2027. The competition among big tech companies to emerge victorious in the AI war is intensifying.

“AI” was a highlight of CES 2025, and AI smart glasses were one of the focal points of attention. Companies such as Vuzix, Rokid, Goertek, and RayNeo unveiled new AI glasses incorporating micro-LED technology. The TCL RayNeo X3 Pro model was announced to enter mass production in the second quarter.

On June 26, Xiaomi held a new product launch event in Beijing. The announcement of Xiaomi’s new AI smart glasses is sure to have sent shockwaves through Ray-Ban Meta.

Xiaomi AI Glasses (Source: Xiaomi)

Xiaomi AI Glasses (Source: Xiaomi)

Xiaomi’s AI glasses are a product aimed at becoming “the next generation of personal smart devices.” They are smart glasses that do not include a display and are operated by voice and touch, supporting voice calls, photo shooting, and video recording. The basic model starts at $280 (1,999 yuan), and the high-end photochromic model is priced at up to $420 (2,999 yuan). The directly competing product, Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses, starts at $299.

Compared to Meta glasses, Xiaomi glasses are superior in terms of hardware specifications, such as the camera sensor (equipped with a 12-megapixel IMX681 sensor), and the frame weighs only 40 grams, which is lighter than Meta’s 48 grams. The battery life is also longer, with Xiaomi offering 8 hours, which is twice as long as Meta’s. However, a weakness lies in the lack of an application ecosystem for connecting and sharing with social content platforms like Facebook or Instagram. Nevertheless, Chinese companies are expected to address these technical and functional shortcomings, and competition in the AI glasses global market is likely to intensify further.

Namdeog Kim, Senior Analyst at UBI Research(ndkim@ubiresearch.com)

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Samsung Display Develops High-Resolution OLEDoS Microdisplay for Next-Generation XR

Samsung Display researchers revealed it in a recent paper published in J. Soc. Info. Display, the official journal of the Society for Information Display (SID), that they have developed a next-generation OLED-on-Silicon (OLEDoS) microdisplay with 4032 PPI (pixels per inch). This technology is optimized for the next generation of XR devices, including virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), and augmented reality (AR), with panels that dramatically reduce system power consumption and crosstalk while maintaining high resolution and image quality.

This 1.3-inch panel has an ultra-high resolution of 4032PPI, delivering images so precise that pixels are indistinguishable to the naked eye. This minimizes the screen door effect in VR and AR glasses, enabling an immersive content experience. The display of the Apple Vision Pro, released in 2024, features a high-resolution display with a size of 1.42 inches and 3,391 PPI.

In this paper, a pixel compensation circuit structure with 7T1C (7 transistors and 1 capacitor) structure was introduced for high-resolution implementation, which complemented the shortcomings of the previous generation, 6T2C structure, and realized a design that was strong against voltage deviation.

Existing 6T2C pixel structures have caused problems with threshold voltage (Vth) deviations and image distortion between small transistors when implemented in high resolution. Accordingly, Samsung Display’s newly devised 7T1C structure provides the following major advantages.

  • Improved Vth compensation accuracy: Suppresses luminance imbalance caused by threshold voltage deviation to ±2.75% (previously ±10.6%)
  • Reduced horizontal crosstalk: 1.3% (previously 2.0%)
  • Area efficiency optimized with a single capacitor
  • Improved SRU (short range uniformity): 97.3% (previously 90.4%)

In addition, improvements have been made in the way data is driven. The existing 6T2C circuit consumes a lot of power because it has to charge and discharge a data line every frame, but the 7T1C greatly reduced power consumption by a single charging method. For example, in the same full gray pattern, the power consumption of the source IC decreased from 120 mW to 0.1 mW.

In addition, while lowering the operating voltage through the 8V CMOS-based design, it secured more than 50% of the power efficiency compared to the previous one.

Samsung Display officially announced its dual-track strategy to develop RGB OLEDoS and white-based OLEDoS simultaneously last year, and this 4032PPI panel is considered the result of that technological achievement. Although the mass production date for this newly developed product has not been announced, this technology is expected to serve as an important step in accelerating the development of the next-generation XR device market.

 

About the paper: J Soc Inf Display, 1–9(2025). 

                               SID 2025 Digest 1424 (P-8)

4032-PPI 1.3-inch OLEDoS Reference Image

4032-PPI 1.3-inch OLEDoS Reference Image

4032-PPI 1.3-inch OLEDoS Reference Image and Specifications

4032-PPI 1.3-inch OLEDoS Reference Image and Specifications

Changho Noh, Analyst at UBI Research  (chnoh@ubiresearch.com)

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Transparent Displays for Vehicles: How Far Can They Go? – Analysis of Regulations, Technology, and Market Applicability

The application areas of transparent displays applicable to automobiles are diversifying along with technological advancements, and currently, the feasibility of four major areas is being discussed. First, a windshield transparent display that directly integrates the display into the windshield of a vehicle; second, a front combiner-type transparent display installed within the driver’s field of vision; third, a rear-seat side transparent display applied to the rear-seat side window; and fourth, a transparent partition display that separates the driver’s seat and the rear seat. Each display has different transmittance and technical requirements depending on the characteristics of the application area and legal standards. A windshield transparent display is a technology that projects vehicle driving information directly onto the windshield, allowing the driver to recognize various information without taking their eyes off the road. However, the windshield is legally required to have a visible light transmittance (VLT) of 70% or higher, and the current transparent OLED (approximately 45%) and Micro LED (approximately 55%) technologies do not meet this requirement. Therefore, directly inserting a display into the windshield is still realistically difficult not only due to technical limitations but also from a regulatory perspective.

The front combiner type transparent display is a method of installing a separate transparent display panel on the instrument panel or near the windshield, and requires a transmittance of VLT 70% or higher. Therefore, even in this area, OLED or Micro LED technology currently has limitations in meeting regulations in terms of transmittance, and some pilot products are being developed in a way that circumvents regulatory standards by limiting the size and installation location.

The rear seat side transparent display can be used for entertainment, information provision, advertising, etc., and most countries have no or relaxed regulations on transmittance for rear seat side windows, so commercialization is highly likely. OLED and Micro LED technologies with transmittances of 45-55% can also be sufficiently applied, and there have been cases where they have been used as advertising-type transparent displays because visibility is secured from outside the vehicle. In particular, Micro LED is evaluated more favorably than OLED in terms of commercialization due to its high brightness, durability, and strong resistance to external temperature changes.

The transparent partition display is a new area that can separate the driver’s seat and the rear seat space in a vehicle as autonomous driving becomes more advanced, while simultaneously performing privacy protection and information transmission functions. Since the relevant area is located in the interior of the vehicle, legal regulations on transmittance do not apply, and both OLED and Micro LED can be freely used.

The biggest limitation of current automotive transparent display technology is low transmittance. Transparent OLED has a VLT of about 45%, and Micro LED has a VLT of about 55%, so a transmittance of at least 70%, and ideally 75% or more, is essential for application to the windshield or front combiner area. To achieve this, various technological advances are necessary, such as improving the pixel transparency, minimizing the light-emitting area, developing high-transparency electrodes, and optimizing the optical structure. In particular, Micro LED is a structure that can theoretically increase transmittance by expanding the non-occupied area between pixels, so it is attracting attention as a technology with a higher possibility of meeting future regulations.

In conclusion, the applicability and required transmittance of vehicle transparent displays differ depending on the area, and with the current level of technology, it can be applied primarily to areas such as the rear seat side and interior partition. In order to apply it to the windshield and direct view area, two tasks must be solved simultaneously: improving technical transmittance and meeting legal standards. The transmittance required at this time should be at least 70%, and ideally 75% or more for actual use. When technology that satisfies these conditions is developed, a truly transparent display-based smart car environment can be realized.

Required Transmittance for Automotive Transparent Displays

Required Transmittance for Automotive Transparent Displays

Windshield Transparent Display

Windshield Transparent Display

Combiner Transparent Display (Source: AUO)

Combiner Transparent Display (Source: AUO)

Partition Transparent Display

Partition Transparent Display

Rear Side Window Display (Source: LG display)

Rear Side Window Display (Source: LG display)

Changwook HAN, Executive Vice President/Analyst at UBI Research (cwhan@ubiresearch.com)

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BOE Secures Annual Production Capacity of 100 Million iPhone OLED Panels with B11 Line… 350,000 Units per Module Line

BOE's panel shipments for iPhone

BOE’s panel shipments for iPhone

According to UBI Research’s China Industry Trends Report, BOE has established an annual production capacity of up to 100 million OLED panels for iPhones, primarily through its B11 line.

BOE currently operates 26 Apple-dedicated module lines, of which 11 lines are in mass production and 3 lines are being used for development purposes. With a tact time reduced to 5.5 seconds, each line can produce up to 350,000 modules per month, resulting in a total monthly capacity of around 8 million iPhone modules. If the B11 line is fully dedicated to iPhone production, BOE can produce 8–9 million panels per month, or approximately 100 million panels annually, based on a 90% utilization rate and 85% yield.

Despite this significant production capacity, BOE’s actual panel shipments remain well below this level. In the first half of 2025, BOE shipped approximately 21 million iPhone panels, marking a 13% increase compared to 18.6 million units during the same period in the previous year. The company is expected to ship 24 million units in the second half of 2025, with total annual shipments projected at 45 million units. Should BOE succeed in supplying panels for the iPhone 17 series, shipments could increase further. However, as with the iPhone 16, BOE is likely to face difficulties in the early phase of new model production.

Although BOE still lags behind Samsung Display and LG Display in terms of technology, industry analysts note that it is rapidly narrowing the gap.

UBI Research’s Analyst Junho Kim commented, “As BOE’s share of iPhone panel supply continues to grow, this is expected to put increasing pressure on Samsung Display and LG Display during pricing negotiations with Apple. With BOE aggressively catching up, it will be critical to see how the Korean companies maintain their technological lead and strategic partnership with Apple.”

Junho Kim, Analyst at UBI Research (alertriot@ubiresearch.com)

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Rollable Display Commercializes as Next-Generation Form Factor … Samsung Display Leads Technology with Material Innovation

Lenovo's ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 with Samsung Display's 16.7-inch Slidable Flex Solo

Lenovo’s ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 with Samsung Display’s 16.7-inch Slidable Flex Solo

“SID Display Week 2025,” the world’s largest display technology event held in San Jose, USA, in May 2025, was a stage where you can directly see the evolution of next-generation form factor technology. In particular, rollable and slidable displays are no longer concepts, but have become technologies that are about to be commercialized as actual products. At the same time, Samsung Display has significantly improved its technological completeness by announcing material technology innovations to solve the structural problems of rollable displays.

Rollable displays have been gaining attention as next-generation displays that simultaneously provide portability and large-screen experiences, with a structure that expands as if the screen is rolled up. At SID 2025 and CES 2025, major global companies drew attention by implementing these into actual products.

Lenovo’s ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Slidable AI PC, which was commercialized in the first quarter of 2025, is equipped with Samsung Display’s slidable OLED and extends from 14 inches to a maximum of 16.7 inches and has passed durability tests more than 30,000 times.

 At CES 2025, Samsung Display unveiled a prototype of its vertically expanded “Slidable Flex Vertical” smartphone. It is evaluated as a new method that simultaneously provides portability and a large screen experience by sliding vertically from the basic 5.1-inch screen size to a 6.7-inch large screen. There is also interest in whether Samsung will commercialize a Galaxy Rollable Phone based on its own slidable OLED technology in the future.

 At SID 2025, BOE unveiled a rollable OLED prototype that extends from 12.3 inches to 17.3 inches. The product is characterized by an expansion ratio of 4 mm and 3.2:1 in roll radius and has been introduced to have a flexural durability of more than 100,000 times.

 Tianma entered the advanced form factor competition by introducing a 13-inch sliding AMOLED prototype. It was designed with a radius of curvature (R) of 5 mm, the screen can move 70 mm, and it was reported that there was little change in thickness and flatness before and after the slide.

Rollable and sliderable displays still face technical challenges such as durability, uniform resilience, and reliability of the drive mechanism, but structural design and material innovation are emerging as the key to solving these issues.

Samsung Display emphasized the importance of material development, a core technology of rollable displays, by publishing a paper titled “Highly Reversible and Robust Rollable AMOLED Display with Smart Elastomer Materials” at SID 2025. The paper was chosen as the Distinguished Paper for Display Week 2025.

Samsung Display has greatly increased the durability and resilience of rollable displays with its two-layered smart elastomer structure, which is highly elastic and low elastic. Thanks to the new structure, the deformation of the edge of the panel has been significantly reduced even after the pen drop test and repeated rolling. The elastomer layer significantly reduces deformation compared to conventional polyimide and showed excellent recovery even in repeated rolling. Anti-static treatment was added to effectively suppress panel image damage due to repetitive friction and charging.

Rollable and slidable OLED technologies are now entering various product markets such as smartphones, laptops, and vehicle displays beyond the technology demonstration stage.  At the same time, the mechanical stress, durability, external impact and electrostatic accumulation problems they experience cannot be solved without high-performance material technology. The smart elastomer-based double-layer design proposed by Samsung Display presents an answer to these problems, potentially giving the company a technological edge in the premium mobile device and automotive large-format display markets. The next initiative in the display industry will be completed through integrated technology that synergistically combines materials, structures, and processes for design innovation.

Changho Noh, Analyst at UBI Research  (chnoh@ubiresearch.com)

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Samsung Display’s Foldable OLED Shipments Surge from May – Takes Q2 Market Share Lead

Monthly Smartphone & Foldable Phone OLED Display Market Tracker

Monthly Smartphone & Foldable Phone OLED Display Market Tracker

According to the Monthly Smartphone & Foldable Phone OLED Display Market Tracker published by UBI Research, a market research firm, Samsung Display’s shipments of foldable OLED panels surged starting in May, securing the top market share in the second quarter of 2025.

In the first quarter of 2025, Samsung Display shipped approximately 250,000 foldable OLED panels, trailing behind major Chinese panel makers such as BOE, CSOT, and Visionox. However, beginning in May, the company significantly ramped up mass production of panels for the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip/Fold 7 series, driving a sharp increase in shipments.

Samsung Display shipped 1.78 million units in May and 1.53 million units in June, accounting for 52% of total foldable OLED shipments in the second quarter, ranking first in the market. Following Samsung Display, BOE recorded shipments of 1.8 million units in the second quarter, CSOT 900,000 units, and Visionox 500,000 units.

Samsung Display is expected to maintain the top share in the third quarter as well. Furthermore, with its exclusive early supply of panels for Apple’s foldable iPhone in 2026, Samsung Display is projected to sustain its dominance in the foldable OLED market.

The global foldable OLED panel market continues to expand. Annual shipments grew from 15 million units in 2022 to 21.8 million in 2023, reaching 25 million units in 2024. The figure is forecasted to grow to 30.8 million in 2025. With Apple’s anticipated entry into the foldable phone market and the increasing number of foldable models launched by Chinese smartphone brands, annual shipments are expected to surpass 50 million units by 2029.

UBI Research Executive Vice President Chang Wook Han stated, “Thanks to the full-scale mass production of the Galaxy Flip/Fold 7 series, Samsung Display is expected to maintain the highest shipment volume in the third quarter,” and added, “The overall foldable phone market is likely to remain at a similar level to last year in 2025, but will begin significant expansion from 2026 with the anticipated release of Apple’s foldable phone.”

Changwook Han, Executive Vice President/Analyst at UBI Research (cwhan@ubiresearch.com)

▶Monthly Smartphone & Foldable Phone OLED Display Market Tracker 

LG Display to Invest KRW 1.26 Trillion to Advance OLED Technology – Focus on LTPO 3.0, COE, and RGB 2-Stack at Paju

LG Display logo

LG Display has embarked on a major initiative to strengthen its OLED business. On June 17, the company announced that its board of directors had approved a large-scale facility investment plan worth KRW 1.26 trillion (approx. USD 900 million), aimed at enhancing next-generation OLED technologies at its production bases in Paju, South Korea, and Vietnam.

The core of this investment is focused on the Paju plant in Gyeonggi Province and the company’s module plant in Vietnam.

Approximately KRW 700 billion will be invested in Paju, covering upgrades such as LTPO 3.0 technology for smartphones and IT devices, COE (Color on Encapsulation) implementation, enhancements to the RGB 2-stack tandem OLED structure, and additional chamber installations for 4-stack WOLED production.

The Vietnam module facility will receive about KRW 560 billion, primarily to improve module process efficiency and automation capabilities.

As LG Display transitions its Paju panel production lines to LTPO, the company expects a temporary reduction in production capacity. To mitigate this, it will also optimize overall production facilities.

With this facility upgrade, LG Display aims to secure a competitive edge in next-generation IT OLED panels and strengthen its responsiveness to premium mobile and tablet markets.

The investment will be funded through capital raised from the sale of the company’s LCD plant in Guangzhou, China, in 2023 (approx. KRW 2.2466 trillion). LG Display is also registered with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy as a reshoring company, making it eligible for subsidies worth around KRW 50 billion.

An LG Display representative stated, “This investment is not just about expanding facilities but is a strategic move to shift toward high-value OLED products. We aim to strengthen both our technological capabilities and profitability, laying a solid foundation for a return to profitability in 2025.”

Junho Kim, Analyst at UBI Research (alertriot@ubiresearch.com)

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AI Optical Communication Opens the Way… Micro LED Accelerates Entry into Display Market

LightBundle™ — Using microLEDs to “move data” (Source: Avicena)

LightBundle™ — Using microLEDs to “move data” (Source: Avicena)

The performance of an interconnect (Source: Avicena)

The performance of an interconnect (Source: Avicena)

Micro LED, which has been attracting attention as a next-generation display technology, is finding commercialization possibilities in new applications. Although its entry into the display market has been delayed due to low yields and complex manufacturing processes, the practicality of Micro LED is drawing attention again as demand for high-speed optical communication (Co-Packaged Optics, CPO) between AI semiconductors has recently increased. The CPO field is a field that matches well with the characteristics of Micro LED, which are small, high-speed, and low-power, and commercialization in this market is likely to act as a turning point that can accelerate its entry into the display market.

Micro LED is a display technology that combines the advantages of OLED and LCD to provide high brightness, long lifespan, no burn-in characteristics, and excellent color reproducibility. However, there are technical, manufacturing, and economic challenges that must be resolved for full-scale market expansion.

Technologically, millions of RGB chips of several μm in size must be precisely arranged and bonded, and the mass transfer process for this still has room for improvement in terms of speed, precision, and yield. In the bonding process, precision control technologies such as thermal stress and alignment errors need to be continuously advanced.

The manufacturing process also requires optimization. Since more than one pixel can affect the overall screen quality, high-precision inspection and advanced correction technologies are essential, and the current yield remains at around 10-30% based on the pilot line. The level of automation and the precision of inspection equipment are also major improvement tasks for securing future productivity.

In terms of economic feasibility, efficiency in yield and process cost structure is required. For example, Samsung Electronics’ 110-inch Micro-LED TV ‘The Wall’ is currently sold at around $150,000, and the material and equipment ecosystem also needs additional expansion to establish a full-scale mass production system.

Currently, Micro-LED is being introduced to the premium market centered on ultra-high-end TVs and large commercial signage, and expansion to various product groups such as AR and IT devices is expected in the future. Process standardization and supply chain establishment are gradually progressing across the industry, and this trend is expected to lead to a practical foundation for market expansion. Although various technology and process-related challenges still exist, they are recognized as step-by-step tasks that can be solved through improvement and evolution. In particular, the expansion of technology application in the non-display field is acting as a positive opportunity to verify the practicality and reliability of Micro-LED. AI servers and high-performance semiconductor systems require a high-speed, low-power optical communication environment, which is exactly aligned with the technical characteristics of Micro-LED. Existing electrical-based interconnects show limitations such as heat generation and bandwidth bottlenecks, and CPO technology, an optical signal-based communication structure, is being rapidly adopted to solve these problems.

Avicena, a US startup, is a leading company pioneering this field, and is implementing high-speed, low-power interconnects suitable for AI and HPC systems through its LightBundle™ solution, an optical communication technology based on Micro-LED. Avicena drives thousands of Micro-LED arrays in parallel to realize transmission speeds of tens to hundreds of Gbps, and demonstrates technological advantages in terms of low heat generation, low operating voltage, miniaturization, and parallelization compared to existing VCSELs. In addition, since it can be manufactured based on a CMOS process, it is also advantageous for integration with semiconductor packages.

Micro-LEDs for optical communication have simpler implementation conditions than those for displays. Since multi-color elements or high resolution are not required and the number of chips is limited to the thousands to tens of thousands, productization is possible even with a somewhat low yield. In fact, some companies including Avicena are entering the AI ​​server market with Micro-LED-based optical communication solutions, and in this market, actual communication performance and long-term reliability are key competitive factors rather than yield.

The expansion of demand in the AI ​​optical communication market is becoming an important catalyst for strengthening the mass production base of Micro-LED. Increased production, equipment investment, and expansion of the material supply chain can also lead to a virtuous cycle of yield improvement, process automation, and cost reduction in the display market. In fact, some equipment companies are developing integrated equipment that can simultaneously handle display and optical communication processes, and this is working as a positive signal for the entire industrial ecosystem.

Micro-LED is no longer a simple display technology. It is first proving its technical feasibility in practical applications such as AI optical communication and laying the foundation for commercialization, and this foundation is expected to be an important key to making full-scale entry into the display market a reality.

Changwook Han, Executive Vice President/Analyst at UBI Research (cwhan@ubiresearch.com)

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Photolithography-based OLED processes: Challenges and opportunities for next-generation display innovation

MAX OLED™ from Applied Materials

Patterning process with MAX OLED™ from Applied Materials

OLED technology has become the centerpiece of smartphone displays due to its superior image quality and flexibility. The fine metal mask (FMM) process is currently the dominant technology for patterning RGB subpixels in small and medium-sized OLED displays, such as smartphones.

However, conventional FMM methods suffer from limited aperture (around 30%), uneven brightness due to increased electrical resistance, and high production costs. Due to the sensitivity of OLED materials, photolithographic patterning, which was considered as an alternative to FMM, has also been difficult to commercialize due to concerns about OLED damage during the process.

Applied Materials presented its MAX OLED™ process technology at the SID 2025 conference. MAX OLED™ utilizes a proprietary pixel architecture and a novel process to capitalize on the advantages of conventional photolithography while compensating for the sensitivity of OLED materials. In particular, the sensitive organic layer is protected by thin film encapsulation (TFE) immediately after OLED deposition, which enables multiple complex photolithography and etching processes.

The MAX OLED™ process doubles the aperture ratio compared to FMM, significantly improving pixel brightness, resolution, and display lifetime. In addition, the localized cathode contact structure solves the problem of increased electrical resistance and reduces power consumption by 33% for notebook PC displays and 47% for monitor displays. High resolutions of up to 2,000 ppi are possible, and individual optimization of each RGB color OLED stack is also possible.

From an economic perspective, MAX OLED™ also makes a positive difference. It shortens new product development cycles by significantly reducing photomask lead times and lowering costs compared to FMM. It also increases glass utilization through multi-product in a mother glass (MMG), which is widely applied in LCD processes, and contributes to material cost reduction by approximately doubling OLED material utilization with short source-to-substrate distances.

Visionox recently announced that it is investigating a maskless process (ViP, Visionox intelligent Pixelization) using its MAX OLED™ process to produce 8th generation OLEDs. While Visionox’s announcement is a positive sign for the commercial viability of photolithography-based OLED processes, the company is cautious about investing in mass production as it has not yet achieved sufficient yields. This shows that the complex photolithography process and yield stabilization of MAX OLED™ technology still needs to be validated. The TFE process after OLED deposition for each RGB color, followed by repeated photolithography and etching, requires high precision and process control, which is the main factor contributing to the difficulty in securing yields. The fact that Samsung Display is also conducting pilot evaluations of the MAX OLED™ process demonstrates that the technology is gaining traction with major industry players.

In conclusion, MAX OLED™ is a promising technology that will overcome the limitations of the existing FMM process and revolutionize the performance of next-generation OLED displays. Although the challenge of achieving yields due to the complexity of the process remains, the attention of leading companies in the display industry strongly suggests that MAX OLED™ has the potential to emerge as a key technology to drive the future display market. This will open up the possibility of new applications such as VR displays, transparent OLEDs, and under-panel camera (UPC) integration.

Changho Noh, Analyst at UBI Research  (chnoh@ubiresearch.com)

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OLED Panel Production for Next iPad Pro to Begin in July, Shipments Expected to Match 2024 Volumes

Apple iPad Pro 2024

Apple iPad Pro(2024)
(source: Apple)

Following the introduction of OLED displays in the 2024 iPad Pro series, Apple is set to continue using OLED panels in the 2025 iPad Pro lineup. Panel production for the next-generation iPad Pro is scheduled to begin in July.

In 2024, Samsung Display and LG Display supplied OLED panels for the iPad Pro. Samsung Display delivered 2.8 million units for the 11-inch model, while LG Display supplied 700,000 units for the 11-inch and 2.8 million units for the 13-inch model. However, total shipments fell short of the initially expected 9 million units, as high retail prices led to sluggish sales and reduced shipments in the third and fourth quarters.

In 2025, both Samsung Display and LG Display are expected to supply panels for both the 11-inch and 13-inch models. Notably, Samsung Display, which previously did not supply panels for the 13-inch model, is expected to begin production of 13-inch panels starting in July.

In Q1 2025, Samsung Display shipped 300,000 units and LG Display 700,000 units for the OLED iPad Pro. Overall shipments for the upcoming model are expected to remain at a similar level to 2024. Apple’s OLED tablet PC lineup is anticipated to expand beyond the iPad Pro starting in 2025, with OLED displays expected to be adopted in mid-range models such as the iPad mini and iPad Air.

Meanwhile, BOE is developing OLED panels for the iPad Pro at its B12 line, aiming for Apple’s approval. However, the company is reportedly facing technical difficulties in meeting Apple’s strict quality standards.

Junho Kim, Analyst at UBI Research (alertriot@ubiresearch.com)

▶Quarterly Medium & Large OLED Display Market Tracker Sample

▶ Quarterly Small OLED Display Market Tracker Sample

OLED TV Panel Shipments Expected to Surpass 10 Million Units in 2028… Production Line Expansion Needed

OLED Display Market Tracker

OLED Display Market Tracker

According to UBI Research’s quarterly publication, OLED Display Market Tracker, the global OLED TV market is projected to approach annual shipments of 10 million units by 2028. As the OLED TV market enters a full-fledged growth trajectory, attention is turning to the production expansion strategies of key panel manufacturers.

Recently, Samsung Electronics has expanded its OLED TV lineup featuring WOLED (White OLED) panels and is actively increasing panel purchases from LG Display. Currently, all WOLED TV panels used by Samsung Electronics are supplied exclusively by LG Display.

UBI Research’s analysis indicates that considering the current mass production capacities of LG Display’s WOLED panels and Samsung Display’s QD-OLED panels—along with yield rates—the actual annual output amounts to approximately 10 million units. While existing production capabilities are sufficient to meet current market demand, a surge beyond the 10 million unit mark in 2028 and continued growth thereafter will likely necessitate additional line expansions to satisfy panel demand.

Samsung Electronics is further strengthening its OLED strategy to counter the aggressive Mini-LED push by Chinese TV makers. Following its announcement of a goal to “become No.1 in the OLED TV market,” the company has steadily increased OLED adoption within its premium TV segment.

As a result, LG Display is expected to directly benefit from rising OLED TV demand. Samsung’s aggressive OLED strategy not only improves profitability for WOLED suppliers but also serves as a driving force for long-term production expansion.

UBI Research forecasts that global OLED TV shipments will surpass 10 million units in 2028 and predicts that leading panel manufacturers are highly likely to begin full-scale expansion of dedicated OLED TV production lines.

Changwook Han, Vice President of UBI Research, stated, “OLED has proven its superior picture quality and brand value in the premium TV market. As such, major panel makers will actively consider expanding large-size OLED lines,” adding, “2028 will mark a turning point for the OLED TV market’s resurgence.”

Changwook Han, Executive Vice President/Analyst at UBI Research (cwhan@ubiresearch.com)

▶Quarterly Medium & Large OLED Display Market Tracker Sample

▶ Quarterly Small OLED Display Market Tracker Sample

Why XR Devices Are Key to the 6G Era

Google Headset and Smart Glasses Examples

Google Headset and Smart Glasses Examples

The introduction of 4G was a decisive factor in the popularization of smartphones. 3G technically enabled ‘data communication’, but it was difficult for consumers to experience it. On the other hand, 4G brought about visible changes such as high-resolution video streaming, real-time games, and SNS activation, and the development of smartphone displays was at the center of this experience. As screens became larger, clearer, and faster, the advancement of network speeds became an everyday experience.

The communications industry is now preparing for the commercialization of 6G, targeting around 2030. 6G supports speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G (up to 1 Tbps), delay times of less than 1 ms, and broadband hyperconnectivity. However, this level of speed is difficult to experience simply by downloading content or watching videos. The only interface that allows you to ‘experience’ the speed and low-latency characteristics of 6G is XR (eXtended Reality), or extended reality devices.

XR includes AR, VR, and MR, and is considered a core service of 6G. However, XR devices that will implement this still face various technical challenges, such as high-resolution displays, weight reduction, heat control, and optical system configuration. In particular, the display is the center of the XR experience quality. Based on a single eye, a resolution of 2000×2000 or higher, a pixel density of 100PPD or higher, and high brightness of 5,000 to 10,000 nits or higher are required, which far exceeds the level of general smartphones.

Currently, major XR companies and display companies are moving as follows.

  • Google is unveiling the Android XR platform through I/O in 2024 and is developing XR headsets and smart glasses. In particular, it is known that OLEDoS-based displays supplied by XREAL are used in smart glasses. Google’s XR strategy is focused on building a platform-hardware-content integration ecosystem targeting Apple Vision Pro.
  • Apple has taken the lead in the premium XR market with Vision Pro using OLEDoS, and is maintaining the same direction in subsequent models.
  • Samsung is developing ultra-high-resolution displays for XR centered on OLEDoS and LEDoS technologies, and they are scheduled to be installed in Samsung Electronics’ XR headsets and smart glasses.
  • LG Display is accelerating its OLEDoS core technology based on its OLED technology competitiveness.
  • BOE is mass-producing OLEDoS with support from the Chinese government, and is supplying it to local XR startups and global partners.
  • JBD is applying ultra-high-brightness displays based on LEDoS to small AR devices, and is attracting attention for implementing brightness of over 100,000 nits.

In this way, displays for XR devices are divided into two axes: OLEDoS and LEDoS. OLEDoS has strengths in resolution and color expression, while LEDoS has strengths in brightness and lifespan, and they are selected according to the purpose of each device.

Ultimately, 6G means not only the evolution of network speeds, but also the redefinition of the human-machine interface. If displays were at the center when moving from 3G to 4G, then XR devices and display technology will take that place in 6G. In order for consumers to ‘feel’ 6G, technology must now be implemented through a new window called XR.

Changwook HAN, Executive Vice President/Analyst at UBI Research (cwhan@ubiresearch.com)

▶UBI Research’s Micro Display Report

Display Section of the KSIEC 2025 announces Next-Generation Display Technology with AI and Solution Processes

At the Korea Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry (KSIEC) Spring Meeting held at Jeju International Convention Center on June 3, 2025, the Display Section hosted the session “Solution Process, Pixelation, and Large Area Display Technology for Commercialization” session organized by the Display Section at the KSIEC Spring Meeting. The session consisted of a convergence of presentations covering materials, processes, and systems for next-generation display technologies, and was highly praised for its emphasis on key technologies for commercialization and linkages with industry.

The Display Subcommittee was established in the early 2000s as a technology network organized by researchers from industry and academia focusing on light-emitting materials, printing processes, and high-resolution display technologies. In the field of displays such as OLED, QD-LED, and MicroLED, in which Korea has led the global market, the subcommittee has served as a bridge between academia and industry and is now recognized as one of the subcommittees with the greatest industrial impact within the Industrialization Society.

This year, the Display Section was organized by Prof. Tae Woo Lee of Seoul National University, who provided his expertise and technical insights.

The session featured eight presentations, four from industry and four from academia, with many topics directly related to commercialization. In the industrial session, Dr. Taekhoon Kim from Samsung Electronics presented a technology that improves the quality of quantum dot materials through an AI-based automated synthesis system for quantum dot materials and suggested the possibility of transitioning to a mass production system. Mr. Hyukmin Yoon, Managing Director of Dongjin Semi-chem, presented photoresist properties applicable to the process of ultra-large OLED substrates (6th and 8.6th generation), which drew great attention from the industry in terms of securing process stability and yield.

Dr. Kwan-Hyun Cho from the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH) then presented a quantum dot pixel formation technology based on inkjet printing technology, which has attracted attention as a practical solution for realizing high-precision, large-area displays. Dr. Byung-Hwa Kwon from the Korea Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) introduced technology for integrated pixels and devices through a solution process, showing the technical feasibility of low-cost mass production.

The academic session continued with research on perovskite-based light-emitting devices. Prof. Minjae Choi of Dongguk University presented a technology for precisely controlling the emission wavelength through precursor design of InP-based quantum dots, while Prof. Seokjoo Yang of Kyungpook National University presented the potential applications of two-dimensional perovskite-based LEDs. Prof. Jong-Hyun Park from Chonnam National University presented a strategy for developing high-efficiency and high-stability perovskite nanocrystals, and Prof. Jong-Hee Yang from Yonsei University introduced a rapid material optimization approach through a synthetic condition space exploration technique using machine learning.

The display breakout session demonstrated that next-generation display technologies are close to practical commercialization, focusing on the organic linkages between materials, processes, and systems, and opened new opportunities for industry-academia-government collaboration. The conference organizers said, “This is a representative breakout session where the achievements of basic research led to industrial applications,” and it is expected that there will be continued technical exchanges and joint research in the future.

Changho Noh, Analyst at UBI Research  (chnoh@ubiresearch.com)

▶2025 Small OLED Display Annual Report Sample

▶2025 Mid-to-Large OLED Display Annual Report Sample

Foldable OLED Devices Expand into Medium-to-Large Markets, Led by Tablets and Laptops

Huawei’s ‘MateBook Fold’

Huawei’s MateBook Fold

The foldable device market is rapidly expanding beyond smartphones into medium-to-large display segments such as tablets and laptops. Recently, Amazon and Huawei have begun developing and releasing foldable tablet and laptop products, marking a significant step in market expansion. Apple is also reportedly preparing to launch a foldable tablet PC after 2027.

Amazon is currently developing an 11.3-inch foldable tablet PC, with the display panel being supplied from BOE’s B12 production line. The first samples are scheduled for delivery in Q1 2026, with mass production set to begin in April of the same year. The planned production volume is approximately 1 million units, and the cover window will use Ultra Thin Glass (UTG).

Meanwhile, on May 19, Huawei officially launched its first foldable laptop, the MateBook Fold. The device features an 18-inch display when unfolded and functions as a 13-inch device when folded. It offers a 3.3K resolution and a 4:3 aspect ratio. The weight is 1.16 kg, and the thickness when unfolded is only 7.3 mm. The display is supplied by Chinese OLED panel maker TCL CSOT and adopts LTPO and tandem structures, achieving about 30% power consumption reduction compared to previous models. The folding radius is 1.5 mm based on Token UTG, significantly enhancing durability. In fact, its shock resistance is reported to be improved by approximately 200%.

Apple is also developing a foldable tablet and is expected to launch the product as early as 2027 or as late as 2028. Samsung Display is anticipated to be the initial supplier of panels for Apple’s foldable tablet PC. Industry watchers believe Apple’s entry will serve as a catalyst for growth in the medium-to-large foldable display market.

While foldable devices have traditionally been limited to smartphones, they are now expanding into tablets and laptops, creating new demand. This shift is accelerating the evolution of related display technologies and component ecosystems.

Junho Kim, Analyst at UBI Research (alertriot@ubiresearch.com)

▶2025 Small OLED Display Annual Report Sample

▶2025 Mid-to-Large OLED Display Annual Report Sample

Visionox to Establish Kunshan Research Center to Lead Next-Generation OLED and Make Full-Scale Investment in Mask-less OLED

Visionox Logo

Visionox is promoting the establishment of a national-level laboratory in Kunshan City, located in Jiangsu Province, China, to lead the next generation OLED technology, and the ViP (Visionox Intelligent Pixelization) project is also making investments to secure production lines. At the recent SID Display Week 2025, the world’s largest display event, Visionox reaffirmed its global technology leadership by showcasing AMOLED applications in various fields including automotive, smart home, healthcare, and metabus.

Visionox is preparing to establish a national-level research institute in Kunshan to secure the source technology, the core competitiveness of the display industry. The institute will concentrate on next-generation OLED technology, and the D2 pilot plant located on the existing V2 line will be relocated to the Kunshan institute site to organically integrate research and development (R&D) and prototyping. The Kunshan municipal government will provide financial support for the project, which is expected to serve as an exemplary case of cooperation between local government and business in fostering advanced technology.

The name of the ViP (Visionox intelligent Pixelization) technology will be changed to ML OLED, meaning Mask-less OLED.  The V5 line currently being promoted in Hefei, Anhui Province, is focusing on 7.5K OLED production using Mask-less OLED technology instead of FMM (Fine Metal Mask) method. The technical committee is currently discussing the project, and a final investment decision is expected by the end of June 2025.

Some equipment investments have already been finalized, with LOI (Letters of Intention to Purchase) issued for Nicon lithography equipment, Nissin ion implanter, and APSYSTEM ELA equipment, and AKT, a display equipment subsidiary of Applied Materials, is the likely supplier for deposition equipment. However, the possibility has been raised that investment in FMM-related equipment may be put on hold.

Visionox is also planning a 15K-scale addition to its V2 line, and equipment orders are expected this year. The company plans to secure the necessary funds through the sale of the existing D2 pilot line and patents, as well as policy funding from the Hebei provincial government. The expansion strategy being pursued in parallel with the V5 project is a preemptive response to increasing OLED demand and to improve production efficiency and cost competitiveness.

Visionox is pursuing technology-centered sustainable growth through the establishment of the Kunshan National Research Institute, the transformation of mask-less OLED-centric production lines, and a strategy to diversify AMOLED applications. Through cooperation with the government, asset efficiency, and strategic capital investment allocation, Visionox has simultaneously secured financial stability and technological competitiveness, strengthening its position as a technology leader in the global OLED market.

Changho Noh, Analyst at UBI Research  (chnoh@ubiresearch.com)

▶ China Trend Report Inquiry

Automotive OLED Display Trends Seen Through SID 2025

As the development of intelligent and networked automobiles accelerates, the demand for various types of vehicle displays is rapidly increasing. In terms of display technology, the adoption rate of LTPS TFT LCD and OLED is increasing, and interest in Micro-LED is also growing.

In 2024, the shipment volume of OLED panels for vehicles is expected to increase by 126% year-on-year to approximately 2.48 million units. It is expected to increase to approximately 3 million units in 2025. This is because OLED is expanding its adoption, contributing to luxurious interiors and efficient space utilization, especially in premium vehicles.

LG Display, BOE, Visionox, Tianma, etc. recently presented various OLED vehicle display solutions at the SID 2025 and Shanghai Auto Show. As major automakers such as Mercedes-Benz, Audi, GAC, and Ideal are also installing OLED in their latest models, the market penetration is further expanding.

LG Display has organized an exhibition space dedicated to automobiles under the theme of ‘Driving the Future.’ The concept car on display featured a 57-inch pillar-to-pillar OLED that covers the entire dashboard and an 18-inch sliding OLED for the rear seats.

57-inch pillar to pillar OLED & 18-inch sliding OLED

LG-Display-57-inch-pillar-to-pillar-OLED-18-inch-sliding-OLED

BOE showcased a smart cockpit consisting of a total of eight OLED displays, including a 55-inch transparent OLED sunroof. Key specifications include a 12.3-inch instrument panel and CID (resolution 720×1920), a switchable privacy display with a relative brightness of less than 0.5% at a viewing angle of 48 degrees or more, a 1.5-inch circular OLED with a resolution of 466×466 and 310 PPI, and two CMS OLEDs.

55-inch OLED transparent sunroof

55-inch OLED transparent sunroof

BOE OLED smart cockpit

OLED smart cockpit

Visionox unveiled a smart C-type armrest flexible OLED, a dual-screen integrated flexible OLED, a UDIR flexible OLED for vehicles, and a switchable privacy display at SID 2025.

Visionox UDIR OLED

UDIR OLED

Visionox Dual screen

Dual screen

Visionox Privacy OLED

Privacy OLED

Tianma exhibited a 13-inch slider OLED and a dual 13-inch multi-curvature integrated black OLED display with a curvature range of R800~2000mm.

Tianma 13-inch slidable OLED

13-inch slidable OLED

Tianma 13-inch multi curvature OLED

13-inch multi curvature OLED

Changwook HAN, Executive Vice President/Analyst at UBI Research (cwhan@ubiresearch.com)

▶2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis Report

OLED Emitting Material Market Projected to Grow from $2.86 Billion in 2025 to $3.72 Billion by 2029

2Q25-Quaterly-OLED-Emitting-Material-Market-Tracker

‘2Q25_Quaterly OLED Emitting Material Market Tracker’

According to UBI Research’s “2Q25_Quarterly OLED Emitting Material Market Tracker”, the OLED emitting material market reached $490 million in the first quarter of 2025 and is expected to achieve a total of $2.86 billion for the full year. The market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7%, reaching $3.72 billion by 2029.

By nation, due to the production cycle characteristics of Korean panel makers—whose shipments are concentrated in the second half of the year—Chinese OLED panel makers surpassed Korean makers in terms of emitting material revenue for the first time in Q1 2025. However, with the mass production of Apple’s iPhone 17 and iPad Pro panels beginning in Q2, Korean panel makers are expected to regain the lead in the second half of the year.

In terms of company-specific material usage in 2025, Samsung Display is projected to hold a 39.8% share, followed by LG Display with 19.9%, and BOE with 13.1%. Korean panel makers are expected to maintain a combined market share of 55% through 2029.

UBI Research analyst Changho Noh stated, “Although Chinese panel makers temporarily overtook their Korean counterparts in emitting material revenue in Q1 2025, Korean companies are expected to recover soon,” and added, “While Korean panel makers may fall behind Chinese makers in shipment volume from 2025, they will continue to dominate in terms of emitting material revenue for the time being.”

Chang Ho NOH, Analyst at UBI Research  (chnoh@ubiresearch.com)

▶OLED Emitting Material Market Tracker Sample

Visionox May Expand V2 Line, Aiming for Monthly Capacity of 60K Small-Size OLED Panels

Visionox-OLED-Shipment

Visionox is reportedly reconsidering the expansion of its V2 line located in Guan, China. The expansion plan had been on hold due to delays in local government investment support, but recent renewed discussions with the Guan municipal government have reignited the possibility of investment. If the plan moves forward, an additional monthly deposition capacity of 15K is expected to be added to the V2 line. Combined with the existing V1 line in Kunshan (5.5-generation, 15K) and the V3 line in Hefei (6-generation, 30K), Visionox would establish a total monthly production capacity of 60K for small-size OLED panels.

Currently, Visionox produces rigid and flexible OLEDs for smartwatches and smartphones at the V1 line, while the V2 and V3 lines mainly manufacture LTPO OLEDs used in flagship smartphones. Major clients include leading Chinese smartphone brands such as Xiaomi, Oppo, Honor, Huawei, and Vivo.

Visionox’s OLED panel shipments have shown clear growth in recent years: 35 million units in 2021, 46 million in 2022, 73 million in 2023, and a sharp increase to 120 million in 2024, representing a year-on-year growth of approximately 64.4%. However, shipments in Q1 2025 stood at 26.1 million units, suggesting that the full-year figure may remain similar to that of 2024.

Meanwhile, Visionox is also building a new 8.6-generation OLED line (V5) in Hefei to enter the medium- to large-size OLED market. This line targets IT and automotive applications such as laptops, tablets, and vehicle displays, positioning itself as a strategic hub for Visionox’s portfolio diversification and future growth.

If the V2 line expansion is realized, Visionox is expected to significantly strengthen its small-size OLED production capabilities while simultaneously accelerating a multifaceted growth strategy that includes its entry into the medium- to large-size display market.

Junho Kim, Analyst at UBI Research (alertriot@ubiresearch.com)

▶ China Trend Report Inquiry

Accelerating competition in the development of next-generation HUD display products with Micro-LED technology

This year, companies are engaged in intense competition to develop Micro-LED HUD products for automotive use at display exhibitions such as CES, Touch Taiwan, and SID. Major panel manufacturers such as AUO and Innolux in Taiwan, and BOE, TCL CSOT, and Tianma in China have unveiled a host of new products. These companies are the main suppliers of LCD HUD products.

AUO exhibited a 13-inch micro LED AR HUD, while Innolux’s CarUX implemented a HUD on the windshield using a 9.6-inch Micro-LED reflective display solution with 9.6-inch Micro- LED.

AUO-13”-AR-HUD

AUO 13” AR HUD

BOE showcased two HUD display solutions at SID. One is a 6.2-inch (624×360) RGB Micro-LED HUD, and the other is a monochrome Micro-LED HUD achieving up to 300,000 nits. TCL CSOT unveiled a 14.3-inch (1700 x 650) Micro-LED PHUD, while Tianma showcased an 8-inch (1204×608) HUD.

BOE-6.2”-HUD

BOE 6.2” HUD

TCL-14.3”-HUD

TCL 14.3” HUD

Tianma-8”-HUD

Tianma 8” HUD

These products achieve high resolution and high contrast ratios based on the advantages of Micro-LEDs, offering differentiation and the potential to replace existing LCOS products. As a result, panel manufacturers are engaging in intense competition to secure a technological lead in the market.

According to UBI Research’s “2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trend Analysis Report,” this year’s vehicle display shipments are expected to exceed 240 million units, with Mini-LED and OLED panels gradually increasing. As competing technologies, companies are actively developing differentiated technologies applied to Micro-LED HUD products.

In summary, automotive displays are one of the key areas of the future display market. As the importance of displays has grown as a key differentiating factor in smart cars, the automotive display market will become an essential competitive arena for panel manufacturers. In other words, with the smart evolution of vehicles, HUDs will become mainstream, and companies will need to respond and compete accordingly.

Namdeog Kim, Senior Analyst at UBI Research(ndkim@ubiresearch.com)

▶2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis Report

OLED shipments for medium-to-large panels in Q1 2025 increased by 12.2% year-over-year, driven by growth in tablet PCs, monitors, automotive displays, and TVs.

UBI Research-2Q25-Medium-to-Large-OLED-Display-Market-Track

2Q25 Medium-to-Large OLED Display Market Track

According to UBI Research’s “2Q25 Medium-to-Large OLED Display Market Track,” OLED panel shipments for medium-to-large displays in Q1 2025 increased by 12.2% year-over-year, while revenue grew by 17.1%.

By manufacturer, Samsung Display and LG Display saw year-over-year growth in their medium-to-large OLED shipments, whereas Chinese panel makers maintained a similar performance compared to Q1 2024.

By application, shipments increased across tablet PCs, monitors, automotive displays, and TVs, while notebook panel shipments experienced a slight decline. Notably, shipments for automotive OLED panels tripled, growing from 270,000 units in Q1 2024 to 810,000 units in Q1 2025. Samsung Display’s automotive OLED shipments surged from 100,000 to 540,000 units, while LG Display, BOE, and Everdisplay maintained levels similar to the previous year.

In addition to BOE and Everdisplay, Tianma has recently been actively promoting its automotive OLED panels and expanding its customer base. The 2025 shipment forecast for automotive OLED panels stands at 3 million units, reflecting a 20% increase from 2024.

For tablet PCs, OLED shipments in Q1 reached 1.95 million units, a decrease of 250,000 units from 2.2 million units in the previous quarter. While both Samsung Display and Chinese panel makers experienced slight quarter-over-quarter declines, LG Display more than doubled its shipments compared to Q4 (300,000 units), thanks to the resumption of panel production for the iPad Pro.

“Chang Wook Han, Executive Vice President at UBI Research, stated that the growing demand for high-end automotive displays, combined with the increasing adoption of OLED by premium brands, is expected to drive continued growth in the automotive OLED market.”

Chang Wook HAN, Executive Vice President/Analyst at UBI Research (cwhan@ubiresearch.com)

▶Quarterly Medium & Large OLED Display Market Track Sample

With SID2025, Aledia promises innovation in MICRO-LED displays.

Aledia is a micro-LED R&D startup headquartered in Grenoble, France, which was spun out from the French National Scientific Institute CEA-Leti in 2011. LEDs and plans to supply them for all display applications that require them. The company claims that the properties of nanowires make them energy efficient and suitable for high resolution, but if the pixels are configured in the form of m x n arrays, they will also be the best choice for large-area, high-brightness product lines.

Aledia’s core technology is a method of growing GaN nanowires in a three-dimensional structure on a silicon substrate. This technology is suitable for high-performance display solutions such as augmented reality (AR) because the direction of light emission can be precisely controlled.

Aledia-Micro-LED Aledia-Micro-LED

Aledia holds approximately 300 patents and has completed the development of the world’s highest efficiency of 32% EQE in micro-LEDs with a size of 1.5 µm or smaller, its manufacturing technology, and circuit bonding technology.

Aledia is investing US$200 million in Champagnier, France, to build a microLED production line that is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025. The facility will be capable of mass producing microLEDs on 8″ and 12″ silicon wafers with a capacity of 20K wafers per month; Aledia is expected to produce micro-LEDs for AR in earnest.

Aledia-Micro-LED

Aledia researchers let us know that they are ready to work together to solve the challenges of the micro-LED industry at SID 2025.

Joohan Kim, Analyst at UBI Research (joohanus@ubiresearch.com)

▶Micro-LED Display Technologies for XR Applications Report Sample

University of Michigan team boosts blue phosphorescent OLED lifetime. A breakthrough toward solving the “blue problem” in displays

May 2025 — A research team led by Professor Stephen R. Forrest at the University of Michigan has developed a deep blue phosphorescent OLED (PhOLED) that simultaneously achieves up to more than 10 times longer lifetime and high color purity, addressing the long-standing challenge of blue OLEDs. The results are published in the latest issue of Nature Photonics, and a related paper was presented at SID2025.

While OLEDs are widely used in smartphones and premium TVs, blue OLEDs have relied on inefficient fluorescence, leading to high power consumption and short operational lifetimes. This is because blue light has the highest energy level, causing molecules in the emitting layer to degrade quickly. To overcome this, the team developed a tandem PEP (polariton-enhanced Purcell effect) OLED with multilayer architecture and double-sided electrode design.

Previous work by the Forrest team demonstrated that surface plasmons near metal electrodes could help excitons in light-emitting molecules release energy faster. Building on this, the new device incorporates an organic semiconductor on both electrodes, enabling the formation of plasmon–exciton–polaritons. This structure acts like a high-speed lane, allowing excitons to convert to photons more efficiently and reducing destructive interactions.

Moreover, the tandem architecture divides the light-emission workload between two layers, cutting degradation in half. An optical cavity (Fabry–Pérot cavity) further boosts efficiency and color purity.

First author Dr. Haonan Zhao stated, “Instead of letting excitons collide and decay, we gave them an expressway to escape — a physical design solution to a two-decade-old problem.” Professor Forrest added, “This may not be the final solution, but we’ve finally shown the way forward that has eluded researchers for 20 years.”

The results of this study are expected to play a key role in advancing the performance of various display products, such as next-generation smartphones, TVs, and wearable devices. It also has the potential to bring about innovative changes in the lighting field, where energy efficiency is important. This study was supported by the US Department of Energy and Universal Display Corporation.

Paper Information
– Title: Stable, deep blue tandem phosphorescent organic light-emitting diode enabled by the double-sided polariton-enhanced Purcell effect
– Authors: Haonan Zhao, Claire E. Arneson, Stephen R. Forrest
– Journal: Nature Photonics (2025)
– Journal: SID 2025 Digest148 (13-4)

Chang Ho NOH, Analyst at UBI Research  (chnoh@ubiresearch.com)

▶2025 OLED Emitting Materials Report Sample

SID 2025, TCL exhibits inkjet OLEDs from 6.5 inches to 65 inches… Will mass production shake up the display market?

At the SID 2025 Display Week, TCL showcased various sizes of inkjet OLED products. The inkjet method is considered to be a technology that is advantageous in reducing material costs compared to the vacuum deposition method due to its high utilization efficiency of luminescent materials. TCL officially announced the mass production of a 21.6-inch 4K inkjet OLED professional display in November 2024, and is currently considering investment for mass production.

At this exhibition, TCL showcased a 6.5-inch inkjet OLED display for smartphones, which provides a high resolution of 360ppi based on real stripe, which is equivalent to approximately 460ppi based on pentile. In addition, a variety of product lines were exhibited, including a 14-inch oxide TFT-based OLED notebook panel with a 2.8K resolution (243ppi), a 27-inch OLED monitor with 4K 120Hz specifications, and a 65-inch OLED TV display with 33 million pixels and 8K 120Hz.

TCL, 6.5” Smartphone

TCL, 6.5” Smartphone

TCL, 14” Notebook PC

TCL, 14” Notebook PC

TCL, 27” Monitor

TCL, 27” Monitor

The 65-inch product maintains 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut even in low-gradation, and has applied technology that doubles the utilization of light-emitting materials and reduces blue light by 50%. This is evaluated as a significant technological breakthrough in the large-scale and commercialization of inkjet OLED.

TCL 65” 8K TV

TCL 65” 8K TV

With a full lineup from 6.5 inches to 65 inches, TCL has shown confidence that inkjet OLED technology can be applied to all product lines from mobile to TV. Up to now, Chinese OLED panel manufacturers have focused on production based on technologies first verified by advanced companies, but inkjet OLED is the first technology that China has led in mass production. The success of this technology can be an opportunity for Chinese panel manufacturers to leap forward in both technology and production.

However, OLED using vacuum deposition method is continuously improving brightness and lifespan through tandem IT OLED structure or multi-stack TV OLED structure, and inkjet OLED still has the task of not only securing productivity but also reducing this performance gap.

Chang Wook HAN, Executive Vice President/Analyst at UBI Research (cwhan@ubiresearch.com)

▶2025 Small OLED Display Annual Report Sample

▶2025 Mid-to-Large OLED Display Annual Report Sample

DNP Secures Exclusive Deal with BOE for 8.6G OLED FMM Supply, Strengthens Market Leadership Amid China’s Push for Localization

(Source: DNP)

(Source: DNP)

Japan’s Dai Nippon Printing (DNP) is reaffirming its dominance in the Fine Metal Mask (FMM) market, a key component in OLED manufacturing. Recently, DNP signed an exclusive supply agreement with China’s leading display company BOE for FMMs used in 8.6-generation OLED panels, signaling a proactive move into the expanding large-size OLED market.

This agreement is part of BOE’s strategy to begin mass production on its new 8.6-generation OLED lines. To support this, DNP has established a new FMM production line at its Kurosaki plant in Fukuoka, Japan. The facility is equipped to handle substrates over twice the size of those used in 6th-generation lines and is optimized for high-resolution, large-size OLED panel deposition processes. The new line has also been designed with flexibility in mind, capable of producing some 6th-generation products as needed.

Currently, DNP holds exclusive supply agreements with major Chinese panel makers—including BOE (excluding its 5.5-generation lines), CSOT, and Tianma—for 6th-generation lines, maintaining a 100% market share in that segment. However, some panel manufacturers have started trialing domestically produced FMMs, although the extent of their use has not been statistically verified. Despite ongoing efforts to localize FMM production in China, achieving the same level of precision and yield as DNP remains a significant challenge.

To ensure stable supply and expand production capacity, DNP is operating both its existing Mihara plant in Hiroshima and the new facility in Fukuoka. This dual-site strategy not only enhances production scalability but also improves customer trust by serving as a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) safeguard against natural disasters like earthquakes.

FMMs are critical materials used in the OLED deposition process to accurately pattern RGB subpixels, directly affecting panel resolution and production yield. Samsung Display also sources ultra-thin 25μm FMMs from DNP while pursuing diversification strategies through collaborations with Korean companies. Domestic suppliers such as Poongwon Precision are accelerating their FMM mass production efforts to challenge DNP’s market dominance.

By securing this major deal with BOE, DNP has solidified its position as a key partner in the transition to next-generation OLED mass production and once again demonstrated its strategic edge in the increasingly high-generation global OLED market.

Junho Kim,Analyst at UBI Research (alertriot@ubiresearch.com)

▶ China Trend Report Inquiry

1Q25 Small OLED Panel Shipments Decline by 14% QoQ, but Hit All-Time High for First Quarter

2Q25 Small OLED Display Market Track

2Q25 Small OLED Display Market Track

According to UBI Research’s “2Q25 Small OLED Display Market Track,” which includes performance and forecasts for applications such as smartphones, foldable phones, and smartwatches, small OLED panel shipments in the first quarter of 2025 reached 243 million units. This represents a decrease of 40 million units compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, which recorded 284 million units.

While this marks a 14.3% decrease quarter-on-quarter, it reflects a 10.7% increase year-on-year, making 1Q25 the highest first-quarter shipment volume on record for small OLED panels.

Breaking down the 1Q25 results, shipments from Samsung Display and LG Display both declined compared to the previous quarter. Among Chinese panel makers, Visionox recorded the steepest decline in shipments from 4Q24.

Despite a decrease in shipment volume, Samsung Display’s shipment share rose by 2.9 percentage points compared to 4Q24. Similarly, LG Display’s market share dropped from 13.1% to 9.3%, largely due to the seasonal concentration of Apple-bound panel production in the second half of the year. However, this still marks a 3.3 percentage point increase from the 6% share in 1Q24. LG Display’s shipments of panels for Apple continue to grow annually, and 2025 shipments are expected to exceed those of 2024 by over 10%.

Chinese panel makers showed a downward trend in shipments compared to 4Q24. However, their year-on-year growth remains strong when comparing 1Q23 and 1Q24 data. Notably, BOE is undergoing evaluation to gain approval for supplying panels for Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro. If BOE passes the certification, it is projected to ship approximately 50 million iPhone panels in 2025.

Han Chang Wook, Vice President at UBI Research, stated, “All iPhone 17 models are expected to adopt LTPO panels, which will drive up the average panel price. Although Korean panel makers saw a decline in shipments compared to the previous quarter, performance is expected to improve in the second half of the year with the full-scale production of Apple panels, potentially resulting in higher revenue than in 2024.”

Chang Wook HAN, Executive Vice President/Analyst at UBI Research (cwhan@ubiresearch.com)

▶ Quarterly Small OLED Display Market Track Sample

Cameras Replace Side Mirrors – CMS Competition among Global Automakers

With the technological advancement of the automobile industry, the importance of the Camera Monitoring System (CMS) is gradually increasing. This technology, which replaces existing side mirrors, provides the advantage of securing a wider field of vision for the driver and improving the design and aerodynamic performance of the vehicle. CMS captures the surroundings in real time through high-resolution cameras installed outside the vehicle and transmits this to the display inside the vehicle, helping the driver to recognize the surroundings without blind spots. It provides excellent visibility even in driving environments such as night or bad weather, which leads to improved overall driving safety.

CMS also reduces the air resistance of the vehicle by eliminating the outside mirror, thereby increasing fuel efficiency and contributing to reducing carbon emissions. There is an analysis that the introduction of CMS can lead to a fuel saving effect of up to 1.5% for large commercial vehicles. Despite these technological advantages, there are still several challenges to the spread of CMS. First, securing the durability and reliability of the camera and display is essential, and thorough quality control and testing are required because a failure or malfunction of the system can have a fatal impact on the driver’s field of vision. In addition, drivers accustomed to traditional side mirrors may take time to adapt to the new display-based viewing method, and user education and development of linkages with driver assistance functions must be carried out in parallel. In addition, the fact that legal standards and safety regulations in each country are not yet completely unified is also acting as an obstacle to the spread of the industry.

In this trend, CMS technology was highlighted as one of the key technologies that many global companies paid attention to at the recent ‘Shanghai Auto Show 2025’. This exhibition introduced a variety of CMS-related technologies, and it was evaluated as a place to show the future direction of vehicle design and driving environment.

AVITA 12

AVITA 12

Honda Ye GT

Honda Ye GT

SAIC Maxus MIFA 7 EV

SAIC Maxus MIFA 7 EV

Mazda EZ-60

Mazda EZ-60

BYD U7

BYD U7

Changan Deep Blue S09

Changan Deep Blue S09

Chang Wook HAN, VP/Analyst, UBI Research(cwhan@ubiresearch.com)

▶2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis Report

Visionox Implements 4th-Generation OLED Technology Using pTSF Mechanism

Visionox announced at SID 2025 International Display Week that it has successfully demonstrated the commercialization potential of pTSF (Phosphor-assisted Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Sensitized Fluorescence), a fourth-generation OLED technology. This technology is part of hyperfluorescence OLED technology, the fourth generation of OLED technology, and has been attracting attention as a key technology for the next-generation OLED display industry, as it simultaneously satisfies high color reproduction, high efficiency, and long life.

The research team developed green OLED devices with an ultra-wide color gamut that not only exceeds the DCI-P3 standard but also meets the requirements of AdobeRGB and BT.2020. In particular, the newly developed pTSF-based hyperfluorescence OLED device achieved high color purity with CIEx < 0.21 and FWHM (wavelength width) of 21-27 nm and reported up to 12% efficiency improvement and 20% lifetime improvement compared to existing commercial phosphorescence OLEDs.

The pTSF mechanism combines the excellent color purity of fluorescent emitters, the 100% exciton utilization of TADF hosts, and efficient energy transfer from phosphorescent assistant dopants, resulting in a more precise and stable emission system compared to traditional OLED structures. In addition, by optimizing the material deposition process for the G6 mass production line, material usage was reduced by over 10% without compromising quality.

Two prototype products—Product A and Product B—utilizing the pTSF technology were also developed. Compared to existing Visionox OLED products, Product A and B showed 12% and 6% lower power consumption, respectively, while achieving over 99.5% coverage of both DCI-P3 and AdobeRGB color gamuts. Furthermore, both maintained comparable reliability in high temperature and high humidity endurance tests.

A Visionox representative stated, “This milestone marks a pivotal step toward the commercialization of hyperfluorescence OLEDs. Starting with green, we aim to expand pTSF architecture to red and blue devices as well, ultimately achieving full BT.2020 color gamut coverage in next-generation OLED displays.”

The research was presented with sample demonstrations at SID 2025, and was conducted in collaboration with the Department of Chemistry at Tsinghua University, supported by China’s National Key R&D Program.

Wide color gamut Wide color gamut pTSF device flexible AMOLED solution pTSF High-efficiency pTSF device flexible AMOLED solution

Chang Ho NOH, UBI Research Analyst(chnoh@ubiresearch.com)

▶ China Trend Report Inquiry

Everdisplay Accelerates Tandem OLED Production and Investment Amid Push for Profitability and Hong Kong IPO

Huawei ‘MatePad Pro’

Huawei ‘MatePad Pro’

EDO

EDO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chinese OLED specialist Everdisplay Optronics (EDO) is ramping up efforts to improve profitability and prepare for a potential listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The company is currently upgrading its production lines using vacuum deposition equipment from Japan’s Ulvac to enable manufacturing of tandem-structure OLED panels.

Tandem OLED technology stacks two or more light-emitting layers to achieve superior power efficiency and longer lifespan, making it increasingly favored in high-end OLED applications. EDO has already supplied tandem OLED panels for Huawei’s tablets—a production line that is reportedly operating profitably.

However, EDO’s broader OLED business remains in the red. To address this, the company is investing in new equipment as part of a long-term strategy to enhance profitability and expand production capabilities. The latest investment focuses on scaling up tandem OLED mass production, with a particular emphasis on the growing mid-to-large-sized OLED segment.

As of 2024, EDO’s shipments of mid-to-large-sized OLED panels are estimated at around 1.9 million units. Approximately 6–7% of these panels are used in automotive displays, while the majority are for tablet PCs. With increasing demand for OLED in the automotive sector, industry watchers expect EDO’s share in that segment to steadily grow in the coming years.

Junho Kim, UBI Research analyst(alertriot@ubiresearch.com)

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With SID 2025, Samsung Display proved to be a pioneer in OLEDs.

Samsung Display proved itself as an OLED pioneer at SID 2025. Samsung Display presented the world’s best technology in three themes: the best technology possessed by OLED pioneer companies, and a three-dimensional exhibit that allowed visitors to experience in advance what tomorrow’s OLEDs will look like.

The ‘OLED Frontier’.

The world’s first QED 18.2-inch display applying environmentally friendly Cd-free field emission quantum dot (EL-QD) technology, EL-QD is a new technology that applies an electric field directly to quantum dots to emit inorganic light, realizing accurate color representation and accurate color representation of QD. It achieves BT2020 86% color reproduction and 400 nits performance without color filters. Samsung Display will further improve the performance and aims to launch the product within two years. The 27-inch QD-OLED monitor presented together will experience the world’s largest resolution of 220ppi with 5,120 x 2,880 pixels. With organic light diode bilo sensors built into every pixel in the display area, the Sensor OLED display can measure physical indicators such as heart rate, blood pressure, stress, and atrial fibrillation with a finger.The Sensor OLED display, which was named SID Outstanding Paper of the Year, was also featured in ” Nature Communications” and was also featured in the Nature Communications.

‘From Pixel to Perfection’.

With the introduction of new EL materials with improved blue organic materials, the 65″ UHD TV in 2025 achieves 4,000 nits of brightness, a 33% improvement over the previous model and the world’s highest brightness. The company also introduced the world’s first 27″ OLED gaming monitor with 500Hz drive technology. 6.8″ Bezel-less smartphone display with up to 0.6mm thin bezel creates an unrealistic illusion. 6.8″ OLED on top of a 14.6″ OLED panel The panels were displayed in such a way that they appeared to be a single panel, as their boundaries were not visible. LEAD technology, introduced for the first time in the world, is an OLED panel technology that has the same reflectivity and bright room contrast as before, even when the polarizer on the OLED surface is removed. LEAD technology is originally characterized by low power consumption, thinness and lightness.

‘Designing Tomorrow’

Future next-generation displays were also unveiled through Samsung Display, introducing unique form factors such as rollable and foldable displays. Stretchable displays with increased displacement from last year were also exhibited. RGB OLEDoS with up to 5,000ppi were shown as a solution for ‘new realities’.

Mr. Lee Chang-hee, Director (Vice President) of the Display Research Institute, expressed his pride in being able to showcase Samsung Display’s unparalleled technological capabilities and emphasized the company’s commitment to further pioneering the development of new technologies.

Joohan Kim, UBI Research Analyst(joohanus@ubiresearch.com)

▶2025 Small OLED Display Annual Report Sample

▶2025 Mid-to-Large OLED Display Annual Report Sample

LG Display showcased next-generation OLED under the theme of ‘Display technology that creates the future’ at ‘SID 2025’

LG Display divided the SID 2025 exhibition hall into three zones to introduce the evolution of large OLED technology, vehicle display solutions targeting future mobility, and next-generation display technology for a sustainable future.

In the large OLED zone, the excellence of the 4th generation OLED panel and TV and gaming panels that applied it were showcased under the theme of ‘Another evolution for mainstream adoption.’ It achieved a maximum brightness of 4,000 nits by applying the ‘Primary RGB Tandem’ structure, a proprietary technology that independently stacks RGB devices to emit light. The ‘27-inch gaming OLED’ was exhibited to allow visitors to experience LG Display’s evolved gaming OLED, such as improved brightness and color reproducibility, by comparing products that applied the existing 3rd generation OLED with new products that applied the 4th generation OLED.

27-inch Gaming OLED: 3rd Gen vs 4th Gen OLED

27-inch Gaming OLED: 3rd Gen vs 4th Gen OLED

The ‘45-inch 5K2K gaming OLED’ that provides the best gaming experience with the world’s highest resolution (5120×2160) was also unveiled. Approximately 11 million pixels are densely arranged on the 45-inch large screen to realize excellent picture quality, and it features a 21:9 ratio similar to a movie theater screen to provide a next-level sense of immersion. LG Display’s proprietary technology ‘DFR (Dynamic Frequency & Resolution)’ that can optimize various contents from gaming to watching movies with a single monitor also garnered attention. Depending on the content, you can freely choose between high refresh rate mode and high resolution mode.

45-inch DFR gaming monitor

45-inch DFR gaming monitor

The ‘stretchable display for vehicles’ offers the possibility of innovation in future mobility design by applying a stretchable display whose screen can be freely stretched to the vehicle’s center fascia area where existing physical buttons were located.

A concept car that applied a vehicle display optimized for SDV was introduced. The front seat dashboard of the concept car was equipped with an ultra-large 57-inch pillar-to-pillar that LG Display commercialized for the first time in the industry, and an ‘18-inch sliderable OLED’ was installed for rear seat entertainment. It secured reliability and durability that can operate normally even in extreme environments from -40 degrees Celsius to 85 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for use in vehicles.

In addition, under the theme of ‘Display for a Sustainable Future,’ a next-generation display that applied low-power technology and eco-friendly components was unveiled. The ‘16-inch Neo:LED panel for laptops’ implemented the best color reproducibility suitable for professionals from photography to video production, while developing and applying new LED technology to reduce power consumption. This significantly improved the battery efficiency of IT devices. In addition, a ‘14-inch laptop panel’ was unveiled that made 41% of the product weight out of eco-friendly materials to preserve the future environment. LG Display plans to increase the use of eco-friendly materials in this product to 50% by 2030. In addition, it introduced tiling technology using micro -LED through a demonstration of operating two 22-inch micro-LED panels as independent screens and seamlessly connecting the two panels to operate them as a single screen.

Chang Wook HAN, VP/Analyst, UBI Research(cwhan@ubiresearch.com)

▶2025 Small OLED Display Annual Report Sample

▶2025 Mid-to-Large OLED Display Annual Report Sample

Progress of BOE’s 8.6-Generation OLED Line (B16) for IT Applications

In March 2024, China’s BOE began construction of B16, an 8.6-generation (2290×2620 mm) OLED production line for IT, in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, with a total investment of RMB 63 billion (approximately KRW 12.4 trillion).

In April 2024, BOE ordered a horizontal evaporator from Sunik Systems, and in May 2025, the B16 line will receive key equipment, including Abaco’s evaporator logistics system and Sunik Systems’ horizontal evaporator.

Unlike Samsung Display’s glass substrate-based hybrid OLED process at its 8.6 generation line, BOE has invested approximately three times the amount of Samsung Display’s investment of approximately KRW 4.1 trillion to introduce a process design that can support both flexible and glass substrates. As a result, it was expected that the B16 line would be able to produce flexible OLED panels for smartphones as well as panels for IT.

However, BOE reviewed the economics of smartphone production on the B16 line and concluded that the 8.6th generation line is less efficient than the existing 6th generation line because it is difficult to secure yields in the high-resolution FMM (Fine Metal Mask) process of 450ppi or higher, and the cost of FMM has also skyrocketed. 

The first mass-produced product of the B16 line is expected to be a panel for a laptop for a brand in China, and development of a 14.8-inch MacBook panel for Apple is also underway. Meanwhile, the 11-inch panel for the iPad is being developed on the B12 (6G) line.

BOE is looking for alternative applications, such as automotive displays, as the B16 line is not efficient enough to produce OLED panels for smartphones.

Chang Ho NOH, UBI Research Analyst(chnoh@ubiresearch.com)

▶ China Trend Report Inquiry

Who will develop LEDoS for Samsung Electronics and Samsung Display and AR glasses?

The development of LEDoS for AR glasses by Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor (DS) division has been the focus of much attention. Last year, the DS division of Samsung Electronics established a department dedicated to micro-LEDs within the CSS (Compound Semiconductor Solutions) business team, but there have been ongoing discussions with Samsung Display regarding the selection of a business manager. In April last year, the company discussed the idea of transferring the department in charge of the project to Samsung Display. This year, the development of LEDoS will be in full swing, and the roles of the Mobile Experience (MX) Division, the DS Department, and Samsung Display are expected to become clearer.

According to industry experts, it would be efficient for Samsung Display to promote commercialization once the LEDoS base technology reaches the completion stage first, which is estimated to be in the middle of next year. For the time being, there will be no major changes, and the CMOS Backplane technology and micro-LED device technology will be developed by a department dedicated to micro-LEDs in the CSS business team.

Vice President Kwon Sang-deuk, who heads the division dedicated to micro-LEDs, is known as a circuit expert with a system LSI background. While Taiwan and China are the fastest-growing countries in the field of AR glasses, Samsung may be the fastest-growing.

Joohan Kim, UBI Research Analyst(joohanus@ubiresearch.com)

▶Micro-LED Display Technologies for XR Applications Report Sample

Visionox to Invest in Dual OLED Deposition Technologies at V5 Line – Supplier Conference Scheduled for May 22

Visionox’s ViP(Visionox intelligent Pixelization)

Visionox’s ViP(Visionox intelligent Pixelization)

According to UBI Research’s China Trend Report, Chinese display company Visionox has finalized the technical direction for its V5 OLED production line. The company will invest in two separate 7.5K capacities using its proprietary ViP (Visionox intelligent Pixelization) deposition technology and the conventional FMM (Fine Metal Mask) method. The investment in the ViP-based 7.5K capacity will be carried out first, followed by the FMM investment approximately six months later.

ViP is a high-precision deposition technology based on photolithography, enabling high-resolution OLED production without the need for FMM. Visionox has been intensively developing this technology as a core strategy to enhance its future manufacturing competitiveness. However, challenges related to yield have made mass production using ViP alone difficult. As a result, the company has decided to adopt a dual-track strategy for the V5 line, incorporating both ViP and FMM processes.

To support this plan, Visionox will host a supplier conference in Hefei, China, on May 22. Local government officials are also expected to attend, and the event is anticipated to help resolve outstanding funding issues for the V5 investment.

Visionox’s recent move is drawing attention in the context of the global OLED industry’s ongoing investments in 8.6-generation OLED lines. Samsung Display is currently building an 8.6-generation OLED line for IT applications (30K capacity) in Asan, South Korea, aiming to begin mass production in the second half of next year to supply panels for Apple’s iPads and MacBooks. BOE is also investing in its Chengdu-based 8.6-generation OLED line in China, targeting the production of OLED panels for smartphones as well as IT OLED panels for the domestic market.

Junho Kim, an analyst at UBI Research, commented, “Although there is still a need for significant improvements in yield and technology, Visionox appears to be pursuing enhanced production efficiency and differentiated technological competitiveness through its ViP technology.”

UBI Research’s China Trend Report provides the latest information on Chinese display companies, including shipment data from Chinese OLED panel makers, investment trends, and equipment disclosures.

Junho Kim, UBI Research analyst(alertriot@ubiresearch.com)

▶ China Trend Report Inquiry

Summary of LG Display’s Hybrid Phosphorescent Blue Tandem Public Patent

If we look at the contents of the recently published hybrid phosphorescent blue tandem patent, it is evaluated as a patent that can apply phosphorescent blue to product production at an early stage. This is because it uses a luminescent material that has been verified and can be mass-produced by a material company, and the current OLED deposition system optimized for mixed host can be used as is.

The main contents of the patent are that
– The phosphorescent emitting layer must be configured at the top, and in this case, the efficiency index (blue index) increases by 1.7 times compared to the fluorescent blue tandem. (If the phosphorescent emitting layer is located at the bottom, the efficiency index increases by only 1.4 times.)
– The thickness of the fluorescent emitting layer must be 60% or less of the phosphorescent emitting layer thickness.
– As shown in the figure below, the blue phosphorescent dopant spectrum must have a second peak intensity of 50% or less of the first peak intensity.
– The difference between the highest intensity wavelength of the phosphorescent dopant and the highest intensity wavelength of the fluorescent dopant must be 20 nm or less.
We look forward to seeing LG Display’s blue phosphorescent panel, which has completed product verification, at Display Week 2025.

Chang Wook HAN, VP/Analyst, UBI Research(cwhan@ubiresearch.com)

▶2025 OLED Emitting Materials Report Sample

Preview of SID 2025

Samsung Display’s ‘LEAD™’, the world’s first non-polarized OLED technology commercialized, has won the ‘Displays of the Year (DIA)’ award from the Society for Information Display (SID). ‘LEAD™’ is an OCF (On Cell Film) technology that replaces the polarizer, an opaque plastic sheet, and has been praised for improving brightness, enhancing outdoor visibility, and making the panel 20% thinner.
Samsung Display is actively marketing its proprietary technology to the market through the brand name ‘LEAD™’, which includes the four representative characteristics of this technology: ▲Low Power Consumption ▲Eco-Friendly ▲Augmented Brightness ▲Designed to Slim & Light.

SDC LEAD™ Technology

SDC LEAD™ Technology

LG Display plans to showcase the world’s best vehicle display optimized for future mobility under the theme of ‘Expanding business through new technology (Driving the future)’.
With ▲Vehicle stretchable display solution that can display all spaces in a vehicle, it proposes design innovation possibilities suitable for future mobility. The stretchable display, which implements high-resolution 100ppi (pixels per inch) and red, green, and blue (RGB) full colors at the same time as a general monitor while the screen can be stretched by up to 50%, has been applied to the center fascia area of ​​the vehicle to maximize aesthetics and convenience.
LG Display, which recently succeeded in commercializing the world’s first ’40-inch pillar-to-pillar’, is exhibiting ▲57-inch vehicle pillar-to-pillar, the world’s largest single panel. ▲18-inch sliderable OLED unfolds from the ceiling down only when needed. It implements entertainment functions with OLED’s unique three-dimensional picture quality and provides a new mobility experience. In the trend of larger vehicle displays, we introduce ▲SPM (Switchable Privacy Mode) mode, a key technology that enhances safety by controlling viewing angles.

LG Display Automotive Stretchable Micro-LED Display

LG Display Automotive Stretchable Micro-LED Display

Chang Wook HAN, VP/Analyst, UBI Research(cwhan@ubiresearch.com)

▶2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis Report

OLED emitting material usage will grow 28% year-over-year in 2025

UBI Research’s “2025 OLED Emitting Materials Report” analyzes the latest trends and key issues in the OLED industry and comprehensively analyzes the technological development direction of OLED panel companies and luminescent materials companies. It also analyzes the mass production capacities of OLED panel companies, supply chain and panel structure, and analyzes the performance of luminescent materials in detail and forecasts the market size.

In terms of technology trends, the competition for high-efficiency and long-life luminescent technologies such as hyperfluorescence and phosphorescent materials is intensifying, and improving the external quantum efficiency and lifetime of blue materials is emerging as a key challenge for market expansion. While material innovations such as deuterium-substituted and boron-based fluorescent materials are actively underway, Chinese companies are rapidly expanding their presence in the dopant and host sectors, deepening their penetration into the global supply chain.

In 2024, the use of luminescent materials was 129 tons. This was up nearly 30% from 101 tons in 2023, driven by simultaneous increases in shipments from Korean and Chinese panel makers. Samsung Display continues to account for the largest share, and its rigid OLED shipments have been increasingly driving material usage.

“OLED emitting material demand from Korean panel makers is expected to reach 111 tons in 2025 and 150 tons in 2029, while material demand from Chinese panel makers is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.3% from 54.4 tons in 2025 to reach 80.6 tons in 2029,” said Changho Noh, a research director at UBI Research.

Chang Ho NOH, UBI Research Analyst(chnoh@ubiresearch.com)

▶2025 OLED Emitting Materials Report Sample

OLED & XR KOREA 2025 – LetinAR PinTilt Technology

LetinAR’s PinTilt technology was introduced at the three-day OLED & XR KOREA 2025, held in April 16. The development of AR glass optics, on which global interest is concentrated, is still in its current state of development; AR technology begins with optics that superimpose a virtual image on the real environment. Manufacturers such as Google, Upson, Meta, Microsoft, and Sony are competing fiercely with Birdbath and Exit Pupil Expander (EPE) Waveguide optics, maximizing their advantages but failing to address their disadvantages. BirdBath has failed to reduce size and weight, EPE has failed to improve image quality and power consumption, and LetinAR has made it clear that it can chase the double rabbit with its PinTilt technology.

The PinTilt technology is said to be capable of producing a high quality, distortion-free screen with a wide 48-degree FOV on AR glasses weighing the weight of a typical pair of glasses. The company is also working on the production of the glasses by using the conventional injection molding method. The company also says that it is equipped with a conventional method of manufacturing and cost performance, which could be a game changer in the AR glasses industry.

Along with technological solutions such as variable focus and improved drive engines, this is probably why industry experts predict that the day is not far off when AR glasses will be used in real life.

(Source: LetinAR)

(Source: LetinAR)

Joohan Kim, UBI Research Analyst(joohanus@ubiresearch.com)

▶Micro-LED Display Technologies for XR Applications Report Sample

Micro LED technology, when will it play a leading role in next-generation displays?

Over the past few years, we have analyzed trends in micro-LED technology and products. Along with the advancement of mini-LED backlight technology, micro-LED has emerged as the next-generation display technology, and interest is growing in when micro-LED will enter the mainstream market. Major display companies and research institutions in countries such as China, Taiwan, South Korea, the United States, and Europe have been accelerating technology development and product commercialization through years of investment, achieving a significant transition from the laboratory stage to mass production. However, the market share of micro-LED in the overall display market remains low, and the pace of commercialization as a mainstream product is still slow.

Samsung Electronics has been leading the way in next-generation display technology with its giant micro-LED TV, ‘The Wall,’ for several years now. Now, with price competitiveness and production efficiency improvements, the company is at a point where it needs to expand into the consumer market in earnest.

Taiwan’s AUO recently showcased automotive micro-LED displays and mirror displays at CES and Touch Taiwan, focusing on targeting the B2B market. The company aims to begin mass production of its 4.5-generation micro-LED production line this year. PlayNitride is preparing to mass produce panels for smartwatches and AR glasses based on its high-brightness, high-resolution technology.

Chinese companies BOE, TCL CSOT, and Tianma are expanding their demonstrations and investments in micro-LED panels and are leading the way in preparations for mass production. BOE’s subsidiary HC SEMITEK is promoting the construction of a micro-LED Epi wafer manufacturing, chip production, and packaging base in Zhuhai City, and at the end of last year, it announced the start of production of a 6-inch substrate micro-LED mass production line. TCL CSOT is preparing to enter the TV and automotive display markets through a joint research institute established with Sanan in 2020 and a joint venture, Extremely Display, to develop and commercialize products. Tianma completed its TFT-based micro-LED production line in December last year and is ready to begin small-scale shipments in phases starting this year. In addition to leading in mass production speed, the company is also accelerating technological advancements such as improving yield rates for 6-inch wafer Micro LED, enhancing laser transfer efficiency, and refining precise tiling bonding. This has been confirmed through the company’s efforts to showcase technological improvements and strengthened productization at technology exhibitions.

At the international business conference ‘OLED & XR KOREA 2025’ hosted by UBI Research, presentations on Micro-LED technology and market trends were provided for TV/large-screen displays, AR, smartwatches, and automotive displays.

According to UBI Research’s analysis, the Micro-LED consumer market is expected to be driven by TVs and AR glasses by 2027, with smartwatches and automotive displays gaining market share by 2028. It is predicted that Micro-LED will break into the mainstream market around 2028, moving beyond premium product segments.

 

More detailed information and technical analysis will be provided in a report to be published by UBI Research at a later date.

Nam Deog Kim, UBI Research Analyst(ndkim@ubiresearch.com)

▶Micro-LED Display Technologies for XR Applications Report Sample

LG Display Hybrid Phosphorescent Blue Tandem Product Verification and Patent Application

LG Display announced on May 1 that it had successfully verified the performance of a blue phosphorescent OLED panel for mass production for the first time in the world. Following the development of blue phosphorescence in collaboration with UDC last year, this achievement was made in just 8 months, and it is evaluated as one step closer to realizing the ‘dream OLED’.

LG Display solved this problem with a hybrid two-stack tandem structure that stacks blue fluorescent material on the lower layer and blue phosphorescence on the upper layer. By adding the stability of the fluorescent method and the low power of the phosphorescent method, it maintained the stability of the existing OLED panel while reducing power consumption by about 15%.

In particular, LG Display is the first company to have successfully completed the productization stage, which requires performance evaluation, optical characteristics, and fairness on an actual mass production line, and has already completed product verification with UDC.

(Source: LG Display)

(Source: LG Display)

LG Display has exclusively applied for a hybrid phosphorescent blue tandem technology patent in both Korea and the United States. According to LG Display’s published patent, the hybrid phosphorescent blue tandem is shown to achieve efficiency that is about 1.7 times higher than the existing fluorescent blue tandem. In order to optimize efficiency, color coordinates, and lifespan, the spectral shape of the blue phosphorescent dopant, the thickness ratio of the fluorescent layer and the phosphorescent layer, and the location of the emitting layer are important, and the patent rights the technology content centered on these factors. It is evaluated as a patent that optimizes the commercialization of the hybrid phosphorescent blue tandem by utilizing high-efficiency phosphorescence and long-life fluorescence.

LG Display’s OLED panel with hybrid two-stack tandem applied can be seen at the world’s largest display event, ‘SID (Society for Information Display) 2025’, held in San Jose, California, USA from the 11th of this month (local time). The products on display this time are small and medium-sized panels that can be applied to IT devices such as smartphones and tablets. As the number of products that require both high image quality and high efficiency, such as AI PCs and AR/VR devices, is increasing, the application of blue phosphorescence technology is expected to expand rapidly.

Yoon Soo-young, CTO (Executive Vice President) of LG Display, said, “The success of the verification of blue phosphorescence productization, which is called the last puzzle for the dream OLED, will be an innovative milestone toward next-generation OLED,” and “We expect to be able to enjoy the effect of preempting the future market with blue phosphorescence technology.”

Chang Wook HAN, VP/Analyst, UBI Research(cwhan@ubiresearch.com)

OLED emitting material development trends and outlook

This article introduces the contents of the “2025 OLED Emitting Materials Report” published by UBI Research in May 2025.

The “2025 OLED Emitting Materials Report” analyzes the latest trends and major issues in the OLED industry and comprehensively analyzes the technology development direction of OLED panel companies and emitting materials companies. It also analyzes the mass production capacities of OLED panel companies, supply chain and panel structure, and analyzes the performance of emitting materials in detail and forecasts the market size.

In terms of technological trends, competition for high-efficiency, long-life light-emitting technologies such as hyperfluorescence, TADF, and phosphorescent materials is intensifying, and improving the external quantum efficiency and lifetime of blue materials is emerging as a key issue for market expansion. With material innovations such as deuterium-substituted and boron-based fluorescent materials on the rise, Chinese players are rapidly expanding their presence in the dopant and host space, penetrating deeper into the global supply chain.

In 2024, the use of emitting materials was estimated at 129 tons. This was up nearly 30% from 101 tons in 2023 due to simultaneous increases in shipments from Korean and Chinese panel makers. By company, Samsung Display continues to account for the largest share, and its rigid OLED shipments have been increasingly driving material usage.

OLED emitting material demand from Korean panel makers is expected to reach 111 tons in 2025 and 150 tons in 2029, while material demand from Chinese panel makers is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.3% from 54.4 tons in 2025 to reach 80.6 tons in 2029.

This report comprehensively analyzes the latest trends in the emitting materials industry, market size forecasts, strategies of major players, and technology development directions, providing important guidance for those in the display and materials industries to understand the market status and plan new businesses.

Chang Ho NOH, UBI Research Analyst(chnoh@ubiresearch.com)

▶2025 OLED Emitting Materials Report Sample

Shanghai Auto Show 2025: Evolving Vehicle Displays Between Minimalism and Living Room

As vehicle displays move beyond simple driver assistance devices to become a core element of the vehicle experience, the global auto industry is seeking a balance between two opposing trends. One is the ‘minimalism’ trend, which emphasizes simplicity by eliminating unnecessary elements, and the other is the ‘living room’ trend, which seeks to decorate vehicles like living rooms. These two trends are unfolding with distinct differences across regions, customer groups, and manufacturers.

Minimalism is developing in the direction of providing only necessary information intuitively and minimizing the number of physical buttons. This trend, which has spread mainly in the United States and Germany, is gaining strong support, especially among the younger generation with high tech sensibilities and consumers who value practicality.

On the other hand, the living room trend reflects the trend of transforming the interior of a vehicle beyond a means of transportation into a space where passengers can enjoy various entertainment such as movies, music, and games while driving. Large curved displays, passenger-only screens, and rear-seat entertainment screens are being installed throughout the vehicle, creating an environment where users can consume rich content while on the move. This living-room-type trend is particularly strong in the Chinese and Korean markets. Chinese consumers perceive their cars as a “second living space,” and they clearly prefer vehicles equipped with multiple large displays. In Korea, demand for living-room-type displays is also increasing, especially in electric vehicles and luxury SUVs.

The response methods are also different for each manufacturer. European companies maintain minimalism as their basic philosophy, but actively reflect living-room-type elements in their flagship models to enhance their sense of luxury. American companies are placing a relatively stronger emphasis on minimalism, but there is a movement to strengthen entertainment functions in luxury vehicles. Chinese companies have been expanding their market by emphasizing the living-room concept from the beginning, while Korean companies are flexibly adjusting their strategies by vehicle segment, applying the two trends in a balanced way.

We have summarized the ‘minimalism’ and ‘living room’ trends of vehicle displays by automakers exhibiting at the “Shanghai Auto Show 2025” is being held from April 2 to May 2.

‘Minimalism’ Trends

‘Minimalism’ Trends

‘Living Room’ Trends

‘Living Room’ Trends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chang Wook HAN, VP/Analyst, UBI Research(cwhan@ubiresearch.com)

▶2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis Report

OLED Automotive Display Shipments to Hit 2.48 Million Units in 2024: Up 126% YoY

In the ‘2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis Report’ by UBI Research, various technologies, companies, and market trends of automotive displays were introduced. In 2024, global shipments of automotive display panels reached 236 million units, an 8.3% increase from the previous year. It is expected to reach 241.8 million units in 2025. In 2024, OLED panel shipments reached approximately 2.48 million units, an increase of 126% from the previous year.

This is because OLED displays can contribute to the sophistication and efficiency of vehicle interior design, so OLEDs are actively adopted, especially in premium cars. Hyundai Motor Company’s Genesis GV80 vehicle, released last year, applied a 27-inch OLED display produced by LG Display. In addition, Nio, a Chinese EV car manufacturer, will adopt a 15.6-inch OLED and a 14.5-inch OLED display for passengers in its 2025 ET9 model.

27-inch OLED mounted on Genesis GV80 (source: Hyundai Motor Company)

27-inch OLED mounted on Genesis GV80 (source: Hyundai Motor Company)

As the entertainment use of vehicle displays increases, LCD displays are increasingly adopting Mini-LED with local dimming to provide a contrast ratio similar to OLED. In 2024, Mini-LED panel shipments was more than double to 3.4 million units compared to the previous year. Sony Honda Mobility’s electric vehicle, AFEELA, to be released in 2026, will use a 40-inch Pillar-to-Pillar Mini-LED display provided by LG Display.

“Software-defined vehicles (SDVs) require high resolution, low power, AR, and multi-display performance, and they require real-time data provision and optimized user experience. Accordingly, the adoption of OLED displays suitable for this will continue to expand, and vehicle OLED panel shipments will reach approximately 3 million units in 2025,” said Chang Wook Han, Executive Vice President of UBI Research.

Chang Wook HAN, VP/Analyst, UBI Research(cwhan@ubiresearch.com)

▶2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis Report

AUO Unveils 127-Inch Micro-LED TV at Touch Taiwan 2025 – Signaling Ambitions in the Premium Display Market

AUO, a Taiwanese global display specialist, captured the attention of the industry by showcasing a 127-inch Micro-LED TV with its latest technology at Touch Taiwan 2025 in April. More than just a technology demonstration, AUO’s exhibit is seen as a strategic move with the company’s full-scale commercialization in the ultra-large premium TV market in mind.

The 127-inch Micro-LED TV on display was based on AUO’s proprietary bonding technology and pixel structure design, and realized 4K resolution and high brightness of over 1,000 nits on average. It demonstrated excellent picture quality performance, including color reproduction (DCI-P3 100%), which is an advantage of Micro-LED TVs.

AUO’s 127-inch Micro-LED TV on display is aimed at commercial digital signage, as well as high-end home cinema and special purpose markets. Considering the commercialization potential of Micro-LED technology and the spread of demand, AUO will continue to expand its product lineup with various sizes and specifications.

Micro-LED is a next-generation spontaneous light display technology that miniaturizes LED devices into individual pixels, offering longer lifetimes, higher brightness, freedom from burn-in, and superior response speeds compared to OLEDs. However, the technology is still technically complex and expensive, so AUO’s prototype display can be considered a symbolic milestone. It will be interesting to see how AUO’s Micro-LED technology will make an impact in the global premium TV market and whether it will be commercialized and achieved high production yields in the future.

127-inch Micro-LED TV (Resolution: 3840×2160, Pixel Pitch: 0.732mm)

127-inch Micro-LED TV (Resolution: 3840×2160, Pixel Pitch: 0.732mm)

Here are some of the key implications of the 127” Micro-LED TV development

  • World’s largest single 42” Micro-LED module in the world
  • Improved competitiveness by simplifying the entire product design/manufacturing process
  • Reduces the color difference between tiled modules
  • 5th generation Mass-Transfer technology reduces process costs and accelerates product commercialization

More details and technical analysis will be presented in a forthcoming Micro-LED report from UBI Research.

Nam Deog Kim, UBI Research Analyst(ndkim@ubiresearch.com)

▶Micro-LED Display Technologies for XR Applications Report Sample

Taiwanese company’s Micro-LED Display technology showcased at Touch Taiwan 2025 with various applications and commercialization possibilities

Micro-LED display technology leaders AUO, Innolux, and PlayNitride showcased their latest technologies at Touch Taiwan 2025 on April 16 to demonstrate the wide range of applications and commercialization possibilities of Micro-LEDs. They showcased products for large displays and automotive solutions, as well as a variety of other applications.

AUO’s Micro LED presented exhibits in two areas, “Display” and “Mobility Solutions”, showcasing AUO’s technological innovations in the field of advanced displays. The company exhibited a 114-inch Micro LED TV developed in collaboration with Samsung Electronics, and also introduced a 127-inch TV tiled with eight 42-inch single modules, the world’s largest in-house development.

127” Micro-LED TV (Resolution: 3840x2160, 1000nit, Pixel Pitch: 0.732mm)

127” Micro-LED TV (Resolution: 3840×2160, 1000nit, Pixel Pitch: 0.732mm)

In addition, the 17.3-inch double-sided transparent Micro-LED display (shown below) is an application that can display different information on both sides, creating interactive services on both sides. Displays like this can also be used in many applications, such as commercial advertising, home decor, and more, where they can convey information while enhancing the style of the display.

 17.3” Dual-side Transparent Micro-LED Display (left), Application case(right): from AUO

17.3” Dual-side Transparent Micro-LED Display (left), Application case(right): from AUO

When it comes to smart mobility solutions, AUO, together with its subsidiary BHTC, demonstrated the vision and possibilities of various automotive display applications, including Virtual Sky Canopy, XR Interactive Window, Morphing Center Control, Foldable Cruise Pilot, and Horizon Image Glass. (Shown below)

Other leading technologies include a 13-inch 3D AR heads-up Micro-LED display and a 14.6-inch flexible Micro-LED touch display with haptic capabilities.

Innolux’s Micro-LEDs were front and center at the booth with a 204-inch 8K Micro-LED display and a 130-inch foldable Mini-LED 4K TV (shown below). Other products included a 1.39-inch touch-embedded wearable Micro-LED display, Micro-LED mirror products, transparent displays, and Micro-LED floating displays. In the automotive application area, Innolux exhibited various automotive displays under the brand of their subsidiary CarUX. Among them, the Light Field Projective display with 9.6-inch Micro-LEDs was introduced.

Innolux, 204” 8K Micro-LED Display

Innolux, 204” 8K Micro-LED Display

130” foldable Mini-LED 4K TV (left: unfolded view, right: folded view)

130” foldable Mini-LED 4K TV (left: unfolded view, right: folded view)

Micro-LED Mirror Product (left) and Transparent Display (right)

Micro-LED Mirror Product (left) and Transparent Display (right)

Innolux, 48” Windshield Reflective Solution

Innolux, 48” Windshield Reflective Solution

In addition to the 89-inch Micro-LED TV product developed in collaboration with Samsung, PlayNitride has developed a 1.39-inch Tantium Micro-LED display with a high brightness of 5000nits, a high brightness 8.07-inch transparent display, and a 0.18-inch high brightness (>500,000nits), high resolution (5,644 PPI, 720×720) and full color display for AR glasses based on its own technology platform. In addition to technology improvements, they also introduced applications such as a 9.38-inch floating display and a 3D display developed in collaboration with outside companies.

1.39” (326PPI, 5000 nits) Tantium Micro-LED Display Product

1.39” (326PPI, 5000 nits) Tantium Micro-LED Display Product

More details and technical analysis will be presented in a forthcoming Micro-LED report from UBI Research.

Nam Deog Kim, UBI Research Analyst(ndkim@ubiresearch.com)

▶Micro-LED Display Technologies for XR Applications Report Sample

Apple iPhone 18 series, release schedule adjusted by specifications

Apple iPhone 16  (Source: Apple)

Apple iPhone 16 (Source: Apple)

It is anticipated that Apple will delay the launch of the standard model in the iPhone 18 series, which is expected to be released in 2026.

Until now, Apple has released four models for each iPhone series: the standard model, Max, Pro, and Pro Max. In the 2025 iPhone 17 series, the Max model is expected to be replaced by a new Air model, and the Air model is projected to be the most expensive among the four.

While four smartphone models are expected to be released through 2025, it is now anticipated that the standard model will not be launched in 2026 and will be postponed to 2027.

In 2026, when Apple is expected to release the iPhone 18 series, the company is also likely to introduce its first foldable phone. Since the launch of the foldable phone could disperse sales volume, this strategic move seems to be under consideration.

If the release of the iPhone 18 standard model is delayed to the first half of 2027, it is expected to launch alongside the successor to the iPhone 16e, which is also anticipated to debut around that time. In this scenario, Apple would release higher-end models—such as the Pro, Air, and foldable phone—in the second half of the year, and lower-priced models in the first half of the following year, thereby securing different sales routes throughout the year.

Should Apple adopt this biannual product release strategy, it may affect the performance of panel suppliers such as Samsung Display, LG Display, and BOE. Historically, the release of the iPhone series in Q3 boosted the earnings of Korean panel makers starting in the third quarter, peaking in Q4. However, if new iPhone models are also released in the first half going forward, the earnings gap between the first and second halves of the year may narrow. On the other hand, if BOE continues to fall short in technology and only supplies panels for the standard model, its strong performance in the second half may shift to the first half instead.

Junho Kim, UBI Research analyst(alertriot@ubiresearch.com)

▶2025 Small OLED Display Annual Report Sample

ULVAC, China’s Metaways Collaborate to Showcase Silicon-Based Micro OLED Mass Production Process

At a recent display industry exhibition, ULVAC unveiled its silicon-based Micro OLED display and mass production process, highlighting its competitive edge in the expanding XR and metaverse device market. The showcased solution is a result of collaboration with Zhejiang Hongxi Technology Co., Ltd. (Metaways), a rising Chinese player specializing in Micro OLED development and module integration.

The exhibited display is designed for ultra-compact, high-resolution applications including AR/VR smart glasses, pilot HMDs, infrared night vision systems, and wearable medical devices.

ULVAC introduced its optimized equipment for Micro OLED manufacturing, including the SELION-E300, NET-300C, and NET-300S. These tools are used for precise patterning of metals and insulators, low-temperature PECVD deposition, and advanced packaging. They offer high efficiency, high reliability, and stable throughput, making them ideal for silicon-based OLED production.

Metaways, ULVAC’s processing partner, has established itself as a leading Micro OLED module manufacturer in China. The company has developed a vertically integrated production line covering design, chip fabrication, driver circuitry, and final module assembly. With a strong R&D team including PhDs and experts from the University of Science and Technology of China, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, and Nanjing University, Metaways is focusing on independent innovation and in-house technology development.

This collaboration represents a notable example of a Japanese equipment manufacturer working with a fast-growing Chinese display startup. As global demand for Micro OLED continues to rise, such partnerships are expected to accelerate the convergence of equipment and device technology across borders—paving the way for the next wave of high-resolution, ultra-compact display innovations.

Junho Kim, UBI Research analyst(alertriot@ubiresearch.com)

UBI Research’s micro display report

BOE unveils its microdisplay development policy

At FPD China 2025’s “CDC Metaverse – Display on Silicon” on March 26, 2025, a group of experts presented on topics such as building AI and AR glass ecosystems, silicon-based display technology roadmaps, key process, equipment and material innovations, and industry and market trend forecasts.

 BOE presented “The Progress and Roadmap of BOE Si-Based Micro Display Technology,” revealing its plans to build a micro display base in Beijing and add silicon-based OLED and silicon-based LED technologies to form an ecosystem covering high-, medium-, and low-level micro displays of all required specifications.

In the high-speed LCD segment, the company is building a research and development line and manufacturing line for high-resolution (2000 ppi) LCDs for microdisplays at B20, the sixth-generation LTPS-LCD line in Beijing. Qingdao and Ordos, the regional bases for LCD, are manufacturing modules and panels for high-speed LCDs.

Beijing is also preparing R&D and production lines for OLEDoS and LEDoS for high-end applications. The company plans to design its own Si backplane after relying on design houses. In Chongqing, it is responsible for the development and production of AMOLED panels for VR, and BMOT, an OLEDoS line in Kunming, is producing 12-inch and 8-inch OLEDoS. 

Chang Ho NOH, UBI Research Analyst(chnoh@ubiresearch.com)

UBI Research’s micro display report

Chinese Tianma company accelerates development of Micro-LED display technology and products

The ICDT2025 conference was held from March 23rd to 25th in Xiamen, China. Among the exhibitors, Tianma company exhibited more Micro-LED products than other companies, showing that Tianma is the most active in product development among Chinese companies. Of course, in addition to Micro-LED, Tianma also exhibited automotive display products using LCD technology and OLED technology at the ICDT 2025 conference to showcase its technology.

The main Micro-LED products exhibited by Tianma are as follows. First of all, in terms of Micro-LED products, in addition to normal transparent displays, transparent Micro-LEDs with low-reflection technology and 27” Micro-LEDs for TVs and large screens (Tiling method) were exhibited. In addition, an 8” HUD screen for automobiles was exhibited using a Micro-LED panel with a brightness of 10000 nits.

 8.07” Low-reflective Transparent Micro-LED Display

8.07” Low-reflective Transparent Micro-LED Display

8.0” HUD Application Display (10,000 nits luminance)

8.0” HUD Application Display (10,000 nits luminance)

27” Splicing Micro-LED Display

27” Splicing Micro-LED Display

The 27“ Micro-LED panel is made by stitching together a 7.5” screen with P0.4 mm, and the number of stitches can be increased to create video wall and commercial display applications. At the conference, we also presented Micro-LED efficiency enhancement technology and mass-transfer technology, showing that we are very active in technology development. These will be detailed in UBI Research’s Micro-LED technology report this year.

Through the project to build a micro-LED production line in Xiamen City, China, Tianma invested in equipment in March 2022 and is now equipped with a 3.5-generation micro-LED automation line. Based on Tienma’s LTPS technology, the company is accelerating technology development across the entire Micro-LED process and commercialization of automotive, tiling, and transparent display modules.

Nam Deog Kim, UBI Research Analyst(ndkim@ubiresearch.com)

▶Micro-LED Display Technologies for XR Applications Report Sample

OLED material usage in 2024 will reach a record 130 tons, surpassing 200 tons in 2028

1Q25_Quarterly OLED Emitting Material Market Tracker

1Q25 Quarterly OLED Emitting Material Market Tracker

According to UBI Research’s “1Q25 Quarterly OLED Material Market Tracker,” the amount of emitting material used in 2024 was 130 tons. Shipments from Korean and Chinese panel makers increased simultaneously, up nearly 30% from 2023.
By company, Samsung Display continues to hold the largest share, and its rigid OLED shipments have been rising rapidly, driving material usage higher and higher. Samsung Display accounted for 42% of the total OLED emission materials market by volume, followed by LG Display at 20% and BOE at 13.2%.

While Korean panel makers still dominate in terms of material usage, Chinese panel makers are not far behind. In China, OLED shipments for smartphones from BOE, TCL CSOT, Tianma, Visionox, and EDO grew at a CAGR of 51% from 114 million units in 2021 to 394 million units in 2024. In addition, as Chinese panel makers such as BOE and EDO have recently begun supplying OLED panels for IT, the consumption of luminescent materials by Chinese panel makers is expected to increase even more steeply.

“In 2025, Samsung Display and LG Display are expected to ship more panels for iPhones than in 2024, and the overall shipments of IT devices such as tablet PCs, notebooks, and monitors are expected to increase significantly compared to 2024, so the growth of the luminescent material market is expected to continue for a while,” said Dr. Changho Noh of Ubi Research. “Additionally, with the expansion of mass production of OLEDs for IT by Chinese panel companies, the luminescent material market is expected to exceed 200 tons by 2028.”

Chang Ho NOH, UBI Research Analyst(chnoh@ubiresearch.com)

▶OLED Emitting Material Market Track Sample

RGB Mini-LED TVs are forming a confrontation composition with OLED TVs, and future trends will be closely watched.

While Micro-LED TVs are expected to enter the consumer market in 2025, RGB Mini-LED TVs with lower OLED performance are expected to enter the market and compete with OLED TVs. Chinese panel producers, which lag far behind Korea in OLED production volume, are strategically focusing on RGB Mini-LED technology development, while Samsung Electronics and SONY are also entering this field.

Hisense introduced a 116″ 4K TriChroma RGB Mini-LED TV at CES2025, featuring 97% BT.2020 color reproduction, 10,000 nits peak brightness, and a 10K-class local dimming zone. TCL also plans to launch an RGB Mini- LED TVs in 2026.

Samsung Electronics plans to launch RGB Mini-LED TVs, including Mini-LED and Micro-LED under the brand name RGB Micro-LED TV, in various sizes during 2025, and quietly unveiled a 98-inch 8K product at CES 2025.

Sony has also revealed that it is developing a general RGB LED Backlight technology, which is expected to be introduced into the Bravia XR Mini-LED TV and released as the Bravia XR RGB Mini-LED TV.

The price of the RGB Mini-LED Backlight is expected to be similar to the price of the traditional Mini-LED Backlight, and it will be interesting to see how it will fare against OLED TVs in the future.

Hisense 116UX 4K TV with TriChroma RGB mini LED backlight system (CES2025).

Hisense 116UX 4K TV with TriChroma RGB mini LED backlight system (CES2025).

Samsung 98-inch 8K Neo QLED prototype with RGB micro-LED backlighting (CES2025)

Samsung 98-inch 8K Neo QLED prototype with RGB micro-LED backlighting (CES2025)

Joohan Kim, UBI Research Analyst(joohanus@ubiresearch.com)

Small OLED display shipments in 2024 are expected to increase by 200 million units compared to 2023 and exceed 1 billion units in 2025

‘1Q25 Small OLED Display Market Track’

‘1Q25 Small OLED Display Market Track’

According to UBI Research’s ‘1Q25 Small OLED Display Market Track’, which includes application performance and outlook for smartphones, foldable phones, smartwatches, etc., small OLED shipments in 2024 are expected to reach 980 million units, an increase of approximately 200 million units from 773 million units in 2023. The small OLED market is expected to exceed 1 billion units in 2025.

Looking at the 2024 performance, most panel manufacturers in Korea and China saw an increase in shipments of 40 to 50 million units, and in particular, Chinese panel manufacturers TCL CSOT, Tianma, Visionox, and Everdisplay saw shipments increase by more than 50% compared to 2023. BOE, China’s largest panel manufacturer, saw its panel shipments increase by only about 8% due to temporary production suspensions caused by disruptions in iPhone supplies throughout the year.

Not only Chinese panel makers, but also Korean panel makers have seen a significant increase in shipments. As rigid OLED panels began to be applied to Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy A series, Samsung Display’s shipments are expected to surge from 320 million units in 2023 to 380 million units in 2024. LG Display’s smartphone OLED shipments also increased from 52 million units in 2023 to 68 million units in 2024 as its supply of panels for iPhones expanded.

With Chinese panel makers’ shipments steadily increasing, and Samsung Display’s rigid OLED shipments and LG Display’s iPhone panel shipments also increasing, small OLED shipments in 2025 are expected to easily exceed 1 billion units.

“OLEDs are being widely applied to lower-end models of Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy A series and low-cost models from Chinese set manufacturers, and BOE and Visionox’s new 8.6G lines are also designed to produce panels for smartphones, so small-sized OLED shipments are expected to continue to rise for the time being,” said Han Chang-wook, Vice President of UBI Research.

Chang Wook HAN, VP/Analyst, UBI Research(cwhan@ubiresearch.com)

▶Small OLED Display Quarterly Market Track Sample

Mid- to Large-sized OLED development trends and prospects

This article introduces the contents of the ” 2025 Mid-to-Large OLED Display Annual Report” published by UBI Research in March 2025.

The ” 2025 Mid-to-Large OLED Display Annual Report” covers key issues, product trends, panel development trends and production line status, market outlook, etc. of the medium and large OLED industry.

OLED for IT (laptops and tablets) is driving the market for medium and large OLEDs. Automotive OLEDs and OLEDs for monitors are also growing rapidly, mainly in the premium market.

In 2024, OLED shipments for notebooks and tablets were 8.46 million and 7.5 million units, respectively. In 2023, OLED shipments for laptops and tablets were 5.4 million and 1.85 million units, respectively, an increase of 57% for laptops and 400% for tablets. The surge in tablet OLED shipments in 2024 was driven by 6.2 million OLEDs supplied for the iPad Pro.

In 2025, OLED shipments for laptops and tablets are forecast at 10.8 million and 16 million units, respectively.

It is projected that IT OLED shipments will exceed 50 million units by 2028, owing to their high contrast ratio, rapid response time, and superior color reproduction, making them well-suited for AI-enabled content.

UBI Research’s 2025 Mid-to-Large OLED Display Annual Report

UBI Research’s 2025 Mid-to-Large OLED Display Annual Report

For medium and large OLEDs, various TFT substrate technologies, OLED materials, and process technologies are applied depending on the application field, such as IT OLED panels, TVs, monitors, and automotive OLED panels. This report introduces the development trends of core technologies such as tandem OLED, emitting materials, and encapsulation technologies, classifies the characteristics of technologies by application field, and analyzes the development trends of LTPO and oxide TFT technologies. It also grasps the development trends of core technologies for next-generation OLED development, such as inkjet process and photolithography patterning technology, and analyzes technological competitiveness.

This report analyzes issues such as 8.6G IT line investment trends, OLED for IT and automotive OLED panels, and provides technology development trends by panel companies and OLED market forecasts through 2029, providing useful guidelines for researchers and developers to establish development directions and grasp market conditions for new business planning.

Chang Ho NOH, UBI Research Analyst(chnoh@ubiresearch.com)

▶2025 Mid-to-Large OLED Display Annual Report Sample

OLED shipments for IT to increase 2.2 times year-on-year in 2024, surpassing 50 million units in 2028

UBI Research's latest report, "2025 Mid-to-Large OLED Display Annual Report"

UBI Research’s 2025 Mid-to-Large OLED Display Annual Report

According to UBI Research’s latest report, “2025 Mid-to-Large OLED Display Annual Report,” the number of IT OLEDs, especially notebook and tablet launches, surged in 2024, unlike small OLEDs, which have maintained a similar number of launches over the past four years. In 2024, OLED shipments for notebooks and tablets were 8.46 million and 7.5 million units, respectively. In 2023, OLED shipments for notebooks and tablets were 5.40 million and 1.85 million units, respectively, representing an increase of 57% for notebooks and 400% for tablets. The increase in tablet OLED shipments in 2024 was largely due to 6.2 million OLED units shipped for the iPad Pro.

There were eight OLED tablet PCs released in 2024: two from Apple, two from Samsung, two from Huawei, and two from Honor. Following the release of Apple’s iPad Pro in 2024, the market for OLED tablet PCs is expected to continue expanding, with models such as the iPad mini and Air also incorporating OLED technology.

The number of OLED-equipped laptops, which saw a slight decrease from 52 models in 2022 to 44 models in 2023, nearly doubled to 80 models in 2024. Looking ahead, the MacBook Pro is anticipated to feature OLED technology in 2026, and the MacBook Air is expected to adopt OLED in 2028.

“OLED, which is well established in the premium smartphone market, is expected to rapidly increase its use in IT products, especially at the premium end of the spectrum,” said Chang Wook Han, Vice President of UBI Research. “By 2025, OLED shipments for laptops and tablets are expected to reach 10.8 million and 16 million units, respectively, and by 2028, IT OLED shipments are expected to exceed 50 million units,” said Han. “OLEDs will become the premium display in IT devices, as they have the right characteristics for AI-powered content consumption, such as high contrast ratio, fast response time, and excellent color reproduction.”

Chang Wook HAN, VP/Analyst, UBI Research(cwhan@ubiresearch.com)

▶2025 Mid-to-Large OLED Display Annual Report Sample

OLED shipments for smartphones and foldable phones to increase 27% year-on-year in 2024, exceeding 1 billion units in 2026

According to the ‘2025 Small OLED Display Annual Report’ recently published by UBI Research, in 2024, OLED shipments for smartphones and foldable phones totaled 8.34 billion and 24 million units, respectively. In 2023, OLED shipments for smartphones and foldable phones were 65.5 billion and 22 million units, respectively.

In 2024, the total OLED shipments for smartphones and foldable phones increased by 27% year-on-year due to the expansion of rigid OLED usage by Samsung Electronics and the increase in flexible OLED shipments by Chinese panel makers.

In 2025, OLED shipments for smartphones and foldable phones are expected to reach 910 million and 38 million units, respectively, representing a 9% increase for smartphones and a 27% increase for foldable phones compared to 2024.

In 2025, OLED shipments for smartphones and foldable phones in China are expected to reach 4.9 billion units, compared to 4.51 billion units in South Korea.

With Apple expected to launch a foldable OLED phone in 2026, the foldable phone market is expected to grow rapidly.

OLED shipments for smartphones and foldable phones are expected to exceed 1 billion units in 2026 and 1.3 billion units in 2029.

Although small OLED shipments are expected to increase, sales are expected to decline from 2025 onwards. China’s flexible OLED shipments will continue to grow, but overall revenue will decline due to lower selling prices.

As panel shipments increase, the revenue share of Chinese panel makers will slowly increase, but Korean panel makers are expected to account for more than 50% of the revenue share by 2029.

Chang Ho NOH, UBI Research Analyst(chnoh@ubiresearch.com)

 ▶2025 Small OLED Display Annual Report Sample

Lenovo launches rollable Notebook in mid-2025, exclusively supplies SDC panels

foldable notebook exhibited by Lenovo

foldable notebook exhibited by Lenovo

Laptop manufacturer Lenovo plans to launch a rollable OLED notebook in 2025, and Samsung Display is expected to exclusively supply the panels.

Lenovo simultaneously exhibited an AI notebook with foldable OLED and an AI notebook with rollable OLED at MWC 2025 held in Barcelona, ​​Spain.

The name of the foldable notebook displayed by Lenovo is ‘ThinkBook codename Flip’, and it has a screen size of 13 inches when folded and 18.1 inches when unfolded. It is very light at 1.4 kg and has a thickness of 16.9 mm.

ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable AI PC

ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable AI PC

Lenovo introduced Rollable AI PC as another new product. The name of the Rollable AI PC is ‘ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable AI PC’ and it is equipped with a rollable display that increases in size from 14 inches to a maximum of 16.7 inches. Both Lenovo products are exclusively supplied by Samsung Display and are scheduled to be released in mid-2025.

Attention is being paid to whether the size of the foldable/rollable notebook market will expand with Lenovo’s entry into the rollable notebook market.

Junho Kim, UBI Research analyst(alertriot@ubiresearch.com)

Small OLED Development Trends and Outlook

The “2025 Small OLED Display Annual Report” by UBI Research, released in March 2025, forecasts significant growth in OLED shipments. In 2024, smartphone and foldable phone OLED shipments are projected to hit 8.33 billion and 25 million units, respectively, rising to 9.1 billion and 30 million units in 2025. This growth is driven by Samsung’s increased use of rigid OLEDs, more flexible OLED shipments from Chinese manufacturers, and a shift from LCD to OLED displays.

In 2025, China is expected to ship 4.9 billion units for smartphones and foldable phones, surpassing South Korea’s 4.51 billion units. Additionally, Apple’s anticipated launch of a foldable OLED phone in 2026 is expected to further accelerate market growth.

The use of new LTPO, pol-less, and low reflectivity technologies is increasing, especially in premium models, to reduce device thickness. Chinese companies are adopting tandem OLEDs for smartphones to gain market share. BOE is developing an 8.6-generation OLED production line in Chengdu B16 to produce hybrid OLEDs for IT devices and flexible OLEDs for smartphones.

The “2025 Small OLED Display Annual Report” analyzes small OLED trends, panel development, and future market forecasts. It covers technology trends, monthly utilization rates for 2024, and market forecasts by panel maker, application, and country up to 2029, providing a crucial guide for market understanding and business planning.

Chang Ho NOH, UBI Research Analyst(chnoh@ubiresearch.com)

▶2025 Small OLED Display Annual Report Sample

Samsung Display’s OLED panels for notebooks are expected to increase by 55% in 2024, with more than 10 million units shipped in 2025.

UBI Research ‘1Q25 mid-to-large OLED display market track’

UBI Research ‘1Q25 mid-to-large OLED display market track’

According to UBI Research’s ‘1Q25 mid- to large-sized OLED display market track’, Samsung Display’s shipments of OLED panels for notebooks in 2024 are approximately 8.4 million units, a 55% increase compared to 2023. The market is expanding as the volume of OLED panels for notebooks from Samsung Display, which supplies not only Samsung Electronics but also overseas notebook set makers such as Dell, HP, and Lenovo, increases.

Samsung Display shipped 8.4 million notebook OLED panels in 2024, and is expected to ship 10.7 million notebook OLED panels in 2025 and 18.3 million notebook OLED panels in 2026.

Just as it benefited from the application of OLED to Apple’s iPad Pro in 2024, the notebook OLED market is expected to grow rapidly by more than 40% in 2026, when OLED is applied to Apple’s MacBook Pro.

In addition to Apple, the number of OLED notebook products released by overseas notebook set companies is also increasing. The OLED notebook market, which was only 12 types released in 2020, is expanding with 33 types released in 2023 and 80 types in 2024.

In addition to regular notebooks, foldable notebooks released by Lenovo and Asus, and slideable notebooks scheduled to be released are also expected to contribute to market expansion.

Junho Kim, UBI Research analyst(alertriot@ubiresearch.com)

▶Medium & Large OLED Display Quarterly Market Track Sample

Moving forward with ultra-large vehicle displays

Not only are vehicle displays increasing in size and number, but pillar-to-pillar displays, which integrate multiple displays on the dashboard into a single screen, have recently been applied to automobiles. Pillar-to-pillar displays have the advantage of enhancing the competitiveness of premium automobile brands through simple and stylish interiors, and allowing users to enjoy movies and games in the car through large screens. The Geely Galaxy E8 EV, launched last year, is equipped with a 45-inch pillar-to-pillar display. The display is a panel with amorphous silicon TFTs and Mini-LEDs and was supplied by BOE.

Sony Honda Mobility’s upcoming 2026 electric vehicle, AFEELA, will feature a 40-inch pillar-to-pillar display. The 40-inch pillar-to-pillar display panel with LTPS TFT and Mini-LEDs is provided by LG Display.

(Source: LG Display)

(Source: LG Display)

TPS TFTs have the advantage of faster mobility than amorphous silicon TFTs, making it easier to create high-resolution, high-brightness panels and reducing the black border, known as the bezel. And Mini-LEDs that utilize localized dimming are more expensive as the number of chips increases, but they offer OLED-like image quality with higher contrast and reduced thickness, which is important for external viewability.

“The share of LTPS TFTs in automotive displays was 34.7% in 2024 by revenue and will grow to 52.3% by 2030,” said Chang Wook Han, principal analyst at UBI Research. “The share of Mini-LEDs in automotive displays was 6.4% in 2024 and will increase to 29.1% by 2030,” said Han.

Chang Wook HAN, UBI Research Analyst(cwhan@ubiresearch.com)

▶2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis Report Sample

OLED & XR KOREA 2025: The Premier Conference on the Latest Innovations in Display Technology

The OLED & XR KOREA 2025 conference, a global event showcasing the latest technologies and innovations in the display industry, will take place from April 16 to 18, 2025, at Yangjae EL Tower in Seoul, South Korea. This event will bring together leading companies and experts from the global OLED and XR industries to discuss next-generation display technologies and market trends in depth. Key topics will include form factor innovations, software-defined vehicles (SDV), XR optical technology, quantum dot (QD) applications, and trends in China’s OLEDoS industry.

UBI Research, the host of the event, emphasized the significance of holding this conference in South Korea, where industry leaders such as Samsung Display and LG Display are driving technological advancements in the display industry. The conference aims to facilitate global technological exchange and collaboration while creating new business opportunities for display and XR companies, component suppliers, panel manufacturers, research institutions, and investors.

The event will feature discussions on stretchable displays, SDV displays, XR displays, Micro LED displays, QD technology, and the Chinese OLEDoS industry. The session on stretchable displays will highlight their flexibility and design freedom, while SDV displays will focus on technologies suited for the era of electric and autonomous vehicles. Additionally, the event will explore the latest trends in Micro LED and XR display technologies, the role of QD technology in automotive displays, and an analysis of the current status and challenges of China’s OLEDoS industry. Other specialized programs will also be included in the conference agenda.

 Pre Registration for OLED & XR KOREA 2025 is open until April 11, 2025. For more details, visit the official OLED & XR KOREA website at https://olednxrkorea.com/.

▶Register Now for OLED & XR KOREA 2025

“AI/AR Glasses Growth, Significant Expectations for the Development of Micro-LED Displays”

AI technology is making a soft landing and the AI era is opening up. Recently, the competition among big tech companies to become the winner of the AI war has become more intense. It is expected that the multimodal technology of AI will renew the market’s perception of AI functions through interactions such as voice, video, and photos. AI/AR glasses are expected to be more popular as they have a viewing function and are equipped with various sensors such as cameras, microphones, and speakers to access data, voice, or displays in real time to complete interactions. Accordingly, AI/AR glasses have received a lot of attention in the past year.

Ray-Ban META AI Glasses (left) and META Orion AR Glasses Prototype (right) (source: META)

Ray-Ban META AI Glasses (left) and META Orion AR Glasses Prototype (right) (source: META)

The Ray-Ban smart glasses can be seen as Meta’s present, and the Orion project as its future. In September 2024, Meta unveiled the Orion glasses prototype, showcasing the new possibilities of AR glasses with innovative display technology. Micro LED was adopted as the display solution for the Orion AR glasses. AR glasses require ultra-high brightness (5,000 nits or more, ideally 10,000 nits or more) to be visible in outdoor environments. In addition, micro-LEDs are essential for lightweight, compact display engines that are required for AR glasses to be very slim and stylish when they are worn.

JBD “Hummingbird Mini II” mono-color engine (0.15cc, 0.3 grams) and daily-use glasses (source: JBD)

JBD “Hummingbird Mini II” mono-color engine (0.15cc, 0.3 grams) and daily-use glasses (source: JBD)

“AI” was the highlight of CES 2025, and AI smart glasses were one of the main attractions. Companies such as Vuzix, Rokid, Goertek, and RayNeo introduced new AI glasses products that use micro-LEDs.

Among the manufacturers of micro-LED displays, China’s Jade Bird Display (JBD), a company specializing in micro-LED microdisplays, has begun mass production at its facility in Hefei with a manufacturing capacity of more than 100 million 0.13-inch micro-LED panels per year. In addition to US and European companies, Chinese and Taiwanese companies such as Sitan and Raysolve are moving quickly to develop and prepare for the production of LEDoS displays. At UBI Research’s seminar held on on February 14, a presentation was given on micro-LED technologies for XR and trends in the industry. AI glasses began to blossom in 2024 with the development of AI and AR technology, and more large manufacturers are expected to enter the market in 2025. AI/AR smart glasses are expected to promote the accelerated development of the AI/AR industry, and there are high expectations for the development of micro-LED technology.

UBI Research published a report on micro-LED technology for XR in January. This report summarizes the technology related to the production of LEDoS panels required for XR glasses. It will help to improve the understanding of LEDoS’s micro-LED technology and will be an important reference for companies developing micro-LED display technologies to plan the future direction of technological development.

UBI Research Nam Deog Kim Analyst(ndkim@ubiresearch.com)

▶Micro-LED Display Technologies for XR Applications Report Sample

CES 2025 becomes a competition hall for panoramic HUDs

We will introduce the contents of the “2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis Report” published by UBI Research in February 2025 as a series. As the first series, we will introduce Panoramic-HUD, which is included in the report.

Generally, automotive head up displays are projected on the windshield, the windshield of a car, and the driver can see a virtual image generated several meters away. Unlike general HUDs, Panoramic HUDs directly reflect the image projected from the display onto a black film coated on the lower surface of the windshield, but they are classified as HUDs because they allow the driver to maintain a head-up view while driving.

Panoramic HUDs are implemented using a direct image method, so their design is simple and the system cost is low. This reduces manufacturing costs while enabling the digital experience of premium vehicles. In addition, P-HUDs have the advantage of being able to use polarized sunglasses that prevent glare because they reflect p-polarization. Therefore, it is expected that panoramic HUDs will enter the market before AR-HUDs become widespread. At this year’s CES, several companies announced Panoramic HUDs, reminiscent of the P-HUD competition arena. BMW calls its panoramic HUD “Panoramic Vision” and announced that it will be installed in the Neue Klass model to be released from 2025. It uses TFT-LCD and has a brightness of about 5,000nits, but higher brightness is needed to improve outdoor visibility, and for this purpose, it is working closely with e-LEAD, a Taiwanese company that manufactures black films.

(Source: BMW)

(Source: BMW)

BOE introduced a P-HUD with a brightness of 5,000nits (normal) / 7,000nits (10% peak) by applying a 44.8-inch oxide TFT-LCD panel and 2,850 zone local dimming, and polarized sunglasses can be used because the P-polarization reflectance is 25%.

TCL-CSOT introduced a P-HUD with a brightness of 11,000 nit by applying three 11.98-inch TFT-LCD panels and 384 zone local dimming.

CarUX, a subsidiary established by Innolux in 2019, introduced a 48-inch P-HUD and boasted a high brightness of 14,000 nit by using a micro-LED panel.

Hyundai Mobis introduced a transparent P-HUD with a transmittance of 95% by introducing holographic technology from Zeiss in Germany, and plans to mass produce it in 2027. Continental also introduced the “Scenic View HUD,” a panoramic HUD with three TFT-LCD panels and local dimming, in 2023, and plans to release it in 2026.

Since the P-HUD is located in the vent, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning hardware must be rearranged, and heat dissipation issues must be resolved, so there are many issues to be resolved in addition to the display, so it took a long time, but 2025 is expected to be the first year of the P-HUD release.

This report covers the overall trends of vehicle display technology, including HUD, as well as the status of display development and vehicle application by finished vehicles, electrical equipment manufacturers, and panel manufacturers. If you are involved in the automobile and display industries, now is an important time to analyze market trends and prepare future strategies. We hope that you will gain insight one step ahead through this report so that you can understand the future trends of the vehicle display market in advance and proactively respond to industry changes.

UBI Research Chang Wook HAN Analyst(cwhan@ubiresearch.com)

▶2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis Report Sample

Samsung Display’s First Micro LED Watch

CES 2025 in Las Vegas set the stage for Samsung Display’s private booth at the Encore Hotel. Among its cutting-edge OLED technologies, the highlight was the rare appearance of Micro LED. After years of quiet development, Samsung Display debuted its Micro LED for watches for the first time

Samsung Display’s Micro LED features a 2.1-inch size, a resolution of 418×540, and a pixel density of 326 PPI, delivering a brightness of over 4,000 nits.

LG Electronics’ Transparent OLED T

The TV showcased at LG Electronics’ booth at CES 2025 was the transparent OLED-based ‘OLED T.

The 77-inch OLED T is designed in a box shape, featuring a curtain installed behind the transparent OLED panel. When the curtain is down, it functions as a transparent TV, and when the curtain is raised, it transforms into a conventional TV.

LG Electronics showcased a double-door transparent refrigerator as an application of transparent OLED technology. The refrigerator’s double doors are equipped with transparent OLED panels, allowing the interior to be visible when the opaque doors are tapped.

LG Electronics showcased its innovative transparent OLED displays, capturing attention at CES.

At CES 2025, LG Electronics showcased its flagship transparent OLED technology by creating a circular display installation. The setup featured 24 individual 77-inch transparent OLED panels seamlessly connected using a cordless design, highlighting the innovation in large-format transparent display solutions.

Samsung Display’s QD-OLED: Key Highlights at CES 2025

Samsung Display unveiled the winning keywords to strengthen its QD-OLED business at CES 2025: ‘Brightness, Highest, Fastest.

“Brightness” represents the industry’s first TV OLED to achieve 4,000 nits.”

In 2025, QD-OLED achieved an industry-first high brightness of 4,000 nits by altering its OLED structure. It is reported that the structure was changed from 4-stack to 5-stack. The 5-stack QD-OLED includes an additional green (G) layer to enhance efficiency, resulting in a composition of Blue-Blue-Green-Blue-Green.

‘Highest’ refers to a 27-inch OLED monitor manufactured using deposition technology, achieving a resolution of 160 PPI. Although JOLED (now part of JDI) previously achieved 204 PPI with inkjet printing, this is the world’s first high-resolution product using deposition technology. Samsung Display aims to achieve 220 PPI for 27-inch displays in the future.

Another innovation in monitors is ‘Fastest.’ To target the growing gaming audience, Samsung Display has developed an OLED monitor with a 500Hz refresh rate. This monitor features no motion blur and an extremely fast response time, allowing gamers to keep up with the rapid pace of gameplay seamlessly.

The purchase volume of OLED emitting materials in the third quarter of 2024 is expected to reach 32.7 tons, the highest ever purchase volume of emitting materials in 2024

According to UBI Research’s ‘4Q24_Quarterly OLED Emitting Material Market Tracker’, the purchase volume of emitting materials in the third quarter of 2024 was calculated to be 32.7 tons. Previously, material purchases were highest in 2021, when the market expanded due to COVID-19, but the all-time high was renewed in the third quarter of 2024. Considering the characteristics of OLED emitting materials, which show the highest usage in the fourth quarter of every year, it is expected that 2024 will see the highest usage ever.

Looking at each company, Samsung Display consistently holds the highest market share. Samsung Display had a 41.4% share in the entire OLED emitting material market based on purchase volume, followed by LG Display with 20.5%, BOE with 11.6%, and Visionox with 8.3%.

By substrate, RGB OLED still maintains the 80% level with a market share of 83.7% based on purchase volume, and as 8.6G lines begin to operate in earnest, RGB OLED’s market share is expected to gradually decline. WRGB-OLED’s market share was 11.3%, similar to the second quarter, and QD-OLED’s market share was 2.8%.

The market share of RGB 2 stack tandem OLED once rose to 6.4% in the second quarter due to a surge in iPad Pro OLED shipments but fell to the 2.2% range in the third quarter due to low demand. Compared to panel shipments, IT devices that use 2-stack tandem OLED for smartphone OLED, which uses single stack OLED, have large panel areas and have two light-emitting layers, so material purchase volume accounted for a higher share than shipment volume.

However, as BOE’s 8.6G line was confirmed to supply OLED for smartphones first, the growth of the 2 stack tandem OLED market was in the hands of Samsung Display. Starting in 2026, when OLED is expected to be applied to MacBook Pro, the purchase amount of light emitting materials applied to 2 stack tandem OLED is expected to more than double compared to 2024. The 2-stack tandem OLED panel supplied to MacBook Pro is expected to be supplied first by Samsung Display.

Junho Kim, UBI Research analyst(alertriot@ubiresearch.com)

▶OLED Emitting Material Market Track Sample

Samsung Display’s Auto OLED shipments surge, sales remain strong even as tablet PC panel shipments decrease

UBI Research ‘4Q24 Medium&Large OLED Display Market Track’

UBI Research ‘4Q24 Medium & Large OLED Display Market Track’

Samsung Display’s mid- to large-sized OLED shipments and sales in the third quarter were similar to those in the second quarter. Due to low sales of iPad Pro OLED, OLED shipments for tablet PCs decreased, but shipments increased in other applications and sales remained at a similar level. Samsung Display supplies mid- to large-sized OLED products for a variety of applications, including not only tablet PCs but also notebooks, monitors, and automotive OLEDs.

According to UBI Research’s recently published ‘4Q24 Medium & Large OLED Display Market Track’, as iPad Pro OLED panels began to be mass-produced in earnest in the second quarter, the shipments and sales of mid-to-large-size OLED panels from Samsung Display and LG Display surged. However, in the third quarter, panel shipments plummeted due to low sales of iPad Pro OLED, leading to a sharp decline in tablet PC OLED shipments and sales for both panel companies.

OLED shipments for TVs and OLEDs for tablet PCs increased rapidly at the same time, and LG Display’s shipments, which achieved its highest quarterly performance since the fourth quarter of 2021, decreased by 34% compared to the previous quarter, and sales decreased by 23%. However, because OLED shipments for TV recovered compared to the previous year, mid- to large-sized OLED shipments increased by 124% and sales increased by 111% compared to the same period last year.

In the case of Samsung Display, tablet PC shipments and sales also decreased. Samsung Display supplies OLED for tablet PCs to Samsung Electronics and Apple. Although OLED shipments for tablet PCs to Samsung Electronics did not change significantly, panel supply to Apple decreased. Accordingly, sales for tablet PCs also decreased by 38% compared to the previous quarter, but sales were able to be maintained similar to the previous quarter due to increased sales of other applications. Among Samsung Display’s applications, the one that has grown the most is automotive OLED. Automotive OLED shipments are rapidly increasing to 100,000 units in the first quarter, approximately 200,000 units in the second quarter, and approximately 500,000 units in the third quarter.

Samsung Display’s mid- to large-sized OLED shipments, which are investing in 8.6G, are expected to increase further from the end of 2025. As Samsung Display advances the mass production of its 8.6G line to the end of 2025, market expansion is expected to accelerate further. The notebook and monitor markets, as well as tablet PC and auto OLED, are expected to grow rapidly upon Apple’s entry into the market.

Junho Kim, UBI Research analyst(alertriot@ubiresearch.com)

▶Medium & Large OLED Display Quarterly Market Track Sample

Small OLED shipments in the third quarter increased by 7.8% compared to the previous quarter, and LG Display’s shipments surged

‘4Q24 Small OLED Display Market Track’

‘4Q24 Small OLED Display Market Track’

The small OLED market in the third quarter rose 7.8% compared to the previous quarter. Most panel companies recorded panel shipments at a similar level to the second quarter, but overall shipments increased as shipments from LG Display and China’s Everdisplay surged.

According to the ‘4Q24 Small OLED Display Market Track’ recently published by UBI Research, small OLED shipments in the third quarter of 2024 were 247 million units, up 7.8% compared to the previous quarter and 32.6% compared to the same quarter of the previous year. The shipments of Chinese panel companies, including Samsung Display and BOE, were similar to or slightly lower than the previous quarter, but as the shipments of LG Display and China’s Everdisplay surged, overall shipments increased.

Based on the iPhone 16 series, which began full-scale production, LG Display shipped 17.6 million iPhone panels, a 64% increase from the previous quarter, and smartwatch shipments increased 147% to 12.2 million units. Due to the impact of increased shipments, LG Display’s sales increased by 74% compared to the previous quarter and by 115% compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

LG Display’s shipments are expected to continue to increase next year following the fourth quarter. As LTPO TFT begins to be applied to the iPhone 17 series scheduled to be released in 2025, there are predictions that BOE’s initial panel supply will actually be difficult, and as BOE is unable to supply panels, the supply may be transferred to LG Display. However, since LG Display is currently producing panels close to full capacity, line expansion is necessary to produce more panels. There is an analysis that it is realistic to expand 6G lines because it is realistically difficult to quickly start investing in 8.6G.

Among Chinese panel companies, shipments of Everdisplay and Tianma increased. Tianma’s shipments increased, but only slightly, and Everdisplay’s shipments more than doubled to 13 million units compared to the previous quarter.

Samsung Display’s shipments decreased somewhat, but sales were similar to the second quarter, and BOE’s shipments were similar to the second quarter, but sales increased by 15%. In the fourth quarter, shipments from not only LG Display but also Samsung Display and BOE are expected to increase, and considering the characteristics of the OLED market with the highest shipment volume in the fourth quarter, global OLED shipments for smartphones are expected to exceed 800 million units in 2024.

Junho Kim, UBI Research analyst(alertriot@ubiresearch.com)

▶Small OLED Display Quarterly Market Track Sample

iPhone 17 series to be released in 2025, panels supplied by Samsung and LG Display, BOE still unknown

iPhone 17 Slim expected image (screen capture from @Apple Explained on YouTube)

iPhone 17 Slim expected image (screen capture from @Apple Explained on YouTube)

It is expected that only two companies, Samsung Display and LG Display, will supply panels for the iPhone 17 series to be released next year. It is unclear whether BOE will be able to supply the new model, but it is expected that it will be difficult to obtain panel approval within 2025.

BOE was previously supplying the normal model iPhone 13~16 series. Although panel production for the iPhone 15 was temporarily halted in the middle of this year due to panel quality issues, it has resumed, and panels for the iPhone 16 have also been approved and are being mass-produced. However, unlike existing models where LTPO TFT was applied only to the Pro model, LTPO TFT is expected to start being supplied to all models starting from the iPhone 17 series. Accordingly, BOE, which lacks technology, will not be able to produce the normal model iPhone 17 in the early stages. It is expected to be difficult. In addition, it is expected that low-dielectric TFE will begin to be applied starting with the iPhone 17 series, but BOE is expected to have setbacks in the development of this technology.

As BOE’s volume decreases, Samsung Display and LG Display’s volume is expected to increase. Samsung Display is expected to produce all models of the iPhone 17 series, and LG Display is expected to produce the 17, 17 Slim (tentative name), and 17 Pro Max models. In 2025, Samsung Display is expected to produce 130 million panels for Apple, and LG Display is expected to produce 72 million panels. BOE plans to supply 65 million panels to Apple in 2025, but in reality, it is expected to supply 40 to 50 million panels, which is less than this.

Junho Kim, UBI Research analyst(alertriot@ubiresearch.com)

▶Small OLED Display Quarterly Market Track Sample

Samsung Display advances mass production of 8.6G OLED line, Chinese panel companies are catching up

Hefei Visionox V5 groundbreaking ceremony held last September

Hefei Visionox V5 groundbreaking ceremony held last September

Recently, there is news that Samsung Display is moving up the mass production of the A6 8.6G OLED line to the end of 2025. Following Samsung Display, Chinese panel companies are also rapidly investing.

The biggest reason why OLED panel companies are rushing to invest in the 8.6G OLED line is the chamfer rate. Initially, OLED began to be applied to small and medium-sized products first, and when producing small and medium-sized products of 10 inches or less, a sufficient chamfering rate could be achieved even with the size of a 6G substrate. However, as OLED began to be applied to IT products with large panel areas, unlike small and medium-sized products, the unusable and discarded area in the 6G line increased, and to solve this, a line using a larger substrate was needed.

Samsung Display, the leader in the 8.6G OLED line, began building a production line early this year and plans to begin mass production at the end of 2025. Samsung Display invested in the 8.6G line to mass-produce 2-stack tandem OLED for Apple’s MacBook Pro, but mass-produced it earlier than originally planned, gaining time before mass-producing panels for MacBook Pro. Before mass producing panels to be supplied to Apple, Samsung Display is expected to first mass produce tandem OLEDs to be supplied to laptop set makers such as Samsung Electronics, Dell, HP, and Lenovo.

BOE, a latecomer, also began investing in the 8.6G line. BOE is expected to bring in two deposition machines from Sunic Systems in 2025 and begin mass production in the third quarter of 2026. BOE’s 8.6G line mass production period is from the third quarter of 2026, but like the iPhone, it is expected to be difficult to supply IT OLED panels to Apple in the early stages. Like other 6G lines, it is expected to initially mass produce panels for the Chinese domestic market and improve product quality to supply products to Apple. BOE is currently investing in module lines sequentially, and a total of 18 module lines are scheduled to be invested in Phase 1. Unlike Samsung Display, BOE is simultaneously investing in modules for smartphones and small and medium-sized OLEDs as well as IT OLEDs in the 8.6G line.

Following BOE’s lead, Visionox also invested in 8.6G. Last September, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for Visionox’s 8.6G OLED line, V5, in Hefei, and when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Hefei’s V5 line in October, it received positive reviews. Additionally, it is understood that Visionox officials visited Korean equipment companies and held meetings this month. Visionox plans to attract government investment based on ViP (Visionox intelligent Pixelization), but due to technical difficulties in vertical deposition, it is likely to be used only as a pilot line.

It was discovered that TCL CSOT is also preparing to invest in an 8.6G line based on inkjet technology. There is a high possibility that an investment announcement will be made at the end of the year. The location is Guangzhou City, and the line capacity is 16K for the inkjet method and 16K for the FMM method, with a total investment of 32K likely to be made.

In addition to the companies mentioned above, Tianma also has the possibility of investing in the 8.6G line, and HKC is considering new investments in 6G OLED. Now that Chinese panel companies are following in the footsteps of Samsung Display, which made its first investment, attention is being paid to how Samsung Display will widen the technology gap.

Junho Kim, UBI Research analyst(alertriot@ubiresearch.com)

▶2024 OLED Technology and Industry Trend Analysis Report for IT Sample

The adoption of Tandem OLED in the iPad Pro and MatePad Pro is boosting the IT OLED market, increasing shipments, and intensifying competition among panel manufacturers.

With the release of APPLE’s iPad Pro and HUAWEI’s MatePad Pro featuring Tandem OLED, the adoption of OLED in IT products is gaining momentum. OLED, known for its low power consumption and ability to accommodate larger batteries, is also well-suited for power-hungry on-device AI laptops, suggesting that more IT products will incorporate OLED in the future.

Since the second quarter of 2024, IT OLED panel shipments have been increasing, and major panel manufacturers are solidifying their investments in 8.6th-generation production lines for IT products. As demand and production of IT OLED panels rise, total shipments are projected to reach 23.2 million units in 2024 and grow further to 50.8 million units by 2028, signaling continued expansion in the IT OLED market.

In its latest report, “2024 OLED Technology and Industry Trend Analysis Report for IT,” UBI Research covers trends and forecasts in the IT OLED industry, analyzing the material composition of tandem OLED, hybrid OLED’s glass thinning and panel separation, photolitho OLED, cover windows, and UTG technology, along with developments from related companies.

▶2024 OLED Technology and Industry Trend Analysis Report for IT Sample

Korean OLED Panel Makers’ Emitting Material Purchases Reach 51.2% in H1, with a Modest Recovery Expected in H2

According to UBI Research’s recently published “3Q24 OLED Emitting Materials Market Track,” the purchase of emitting materials by Korean OLED panel manufacturers in the first half of 2024 totaled $495 million, representing 51.2% of the market share—a 7.8% decrease compared to the same period last year. This is a notable shift. Meanwhile, Chinese companies held 48.8% of the market share, up 7.8% year-on-year, with purchases amounting to $471 million.

As Chinese panel manufacturers ramp up shipments, the gap in the purchase of emitting materials between Korean and Chinese companies is steadily narrowing. In the first quarter of 2024, for the first time, Korean OLED panel companies’ share of emitting material purchases fell to 47.4%, lower than that of Chinese companies.

However, from the second quarter onward, with the increase in OLED panel shipments for IT devices and the production of panels for the iPhone 16 by Korean manufacturers, their share rebounded to 54.7%. While BOE passed the sample certification for the iPhone 16, the delay in mass production is expected to result in smaller shipments this year. Additionally, certification for the iPhone 16 Max, which was expected to be produced at BOE’s B12 factory, was not approved.

With the reduction in BOE’s iPhone shipments, Korean panel makers are likely to see an increase in panel shipments. Thanks to growing OLED panel orders from Apple for products like the iPhone and iPad Pro, Korean purchases of emitting materials are expected to rise to a 55.6% market share by the end of 2024, a notable increase compared to the first half of the year.

▶AMOLED Emitting Material Market Track Sample

Due to the OLED iPad Pro for Tablet PC, shipments are rapidly increasing, and shipments are expected to increase by more than 6 times in 2024 compared to the previous year.

According to the “3Q24 Medium-Large OLED Display Market Track” published by UBI Research, more than 12 million OLEDs for tablet PCs are expected to be shipped in 2024 thanks to Apple’s entry into the OLED market for tablet PCs.

As mass production of iPad Pro OLEDs began in the first quarter of 2024, shipments of OLEDs for tablet PCs surged to 1.2 million units in the first quarter and 3.4 million units in the second quarter.

As not only Samsung Display and LG Display, but also Chinese panel manufacturers have begun mass production of OLEDs for tablet PCs, the OLED market for tablet PCs is expected to expand further. Among Chinese panel manufacturers, BOE is expected to ship about 1.5 million OLED panels for tablet PCs in 2024, and Visionox is expected to ship about 800,000 OLED panels for tablet PCs.

Due to the increase in panel shipments by Apple and Chinese companies, OLED shipments for tablet PCs are expected to exceed 30 million units in 2028.

▶Medium & Large OLED Display Market Track Sample

Foldable OLED shipments in 2Q reached 9.9 million units, doubling from 1Q and setting a new record.

According to the “3Q24 Small OLED Display Market Track” published by UBI Research, OLED shipments for foldable phones in the second quarter of 2024 are expected to reach 9.94 million units, more than doubling compared to the first quarter. During this period, OLED shipments for foldable phones accounted for 5.2% of all OLED shipments for smartphones, marking the second-highest proportion ever.

UBI Research anticipates that OLED shipments for foldable phones will continue to grow in the second half of 2024, with total shipments expected to exceed 40 million units for the year. Furthermore, by 2028, OLED shipments for foldable phones are projected to make up 9.9% of total OLED shipments for smartphones.

While the share of OLED shipments for foldable phones remained in the 5% range in the second quarter of 2024, their sales share exceeded 16.3%. This sales share is expected to expand to 27.5% by 2028.

▶Small OLED Display Quarterly Market Track Sample

OLED emitting material demand expected to grow to 177 tons by 2028

According to the ‘2024 OLED Emitting Materials Report’ recently published by UBI Research, the total demand for emitting materials in 2024 is expected to be 131 tons, and the demand for emitting materials is expected to be 177 tons by 2028 with an average annual growth rate of 7.9%.

According to the report, as Samsung Electronics applied rigid OLED to its Galaxy A entry-level product, Samsung Display’s rigid OLED shipments, which were previously expected to decrease, increased. Additionally, as the application of OLED to IT devices, including iPad, expands, the demand for emitting materials is expected to increase until 2028.

The size of the OLED emitting materials market is also expected to increase. According to the report, the overall OLED emitting material market is expected to grow from $2.4 billion in 2024 to $2.7 billion in 2028.

Korean panel companies’ OLED emitting material purchases are expected to increase from $1.4 billion in 2024 to $1.5 billion in 2028, and Chinese panel companies’ material purchases are expected to increase from $980 million in 2024 to $1.21 billion in 2028.

‘The 2024 OLED Emitting Materials Report ‘ includes the latest trends in iPad Pro OLED, which recently started production, emitting material structure and supply chain, 8.6G IT line investment trend by panel company, tandem OLED emitting material development trend, and high-efficiency and long-life emitting material development trend, etc.

▶ 2024 OLED Emitting Materials Report Sample Download

OLED market for Tablet PCs to grow 6-7 times by 2024 due to Apple’s entry

OLED panel shipment forecast for tablet PC

OLED panel shipment forecast for tablet PC

According to the ‘2024 Mid-Large OLED Display Annual Report’ recently published by UBI Research, shipments of OLED panels for tablet PCs are expected to grow from 12 million units in 2024 to 28.4 million units in 2028, with an average annual growth rate of 24.1%.

OLED panel shipments for tablet PCs were 1.3 million units in 2022 and 1.8 million units in 2023, forming a small market. However, with the decision to install OLED in the Apple’s iPad scheduled to be released in 2024, Samsung Display and LG Display are producing OLED panels for iPad-oriented table PCs.

Samsung Display produces panels for the 11-inch model and LG Display produces panels for the 12.9-inch model. Due to Apple’s entry, the OLED market for tablet PCs is expected to grow 6 to 7 times in 2024 compared to 2023.

In addition, panel companies are actively investing to apply OLED not only to tablet PCs but also to various IT products. Following Samsung Display’s recent investment in the 8.6G IT line, BOE also invested in the 8.6G IT line, and LG Display is also conducting a paid-in capital increase to secure funds for IT line investment and is planning to sell the Guangzhou LCD line. The OLED market for IT is expected to expand further due to the aggressive investment of panel companies.

▶ 2024 Mid-Large OLED Display Annual Report Sample Download

Samsung Display continues to dominate the OLED market for foldable phones

Foldable OLED shipment forecast

Foldable OLED shipment forecast

According to the ‘2024 Small OLED Display Annual Report’ recently published by UBI Research, OLED shipments for foldable phones are expected to increase from 27.4 million units in 2024 to 52.7 million units in 2028.

According to the report, Samsung Display’s OLED shipments for foldable phones in 2023 will be 13.4 million units, a 6.3% increase from 12.6 million units in 2022. Also, among Chinese panel makers, BOE shipped 6.2 million units of OLED for foldable phones, more than three times the 1.9 million units in 2022, while TCL CSOT and Visionox each shipped 1.1 million units of OLED for foldable phones.

Although there is fierce pursuit by Chinese companies, Samsung Display is expected to still take the lead in the foldable phone market. Samsung Electronics, to which Samsung Display supplies panels, is expected to expand the models of the Galaxy Fold series scheduled to be released this year, and Samsung Display’s foldable phone panels are expected to be applied first to Apple’s foldable iPhone to be released in the future. Based on such technological prowess and competitiveness, Samsung Display’s dominance in the foldable phone market is expected to continue for the time being.

▶ 2024 Small OLED Display Annual Report Sample Download

International Business Conference: 2024 OLED Korea & 2024 eXtended Reality Korea will be held in parallel!

UBI Research, a display specialist research company, will hold the international business conferences OLED Korea and eXtended Reality Korea in parallel at The-K Hotel in Yangjae, Seoul from March 27 to 29, 2024. This event is expected to be an opportunity for people from companies, academia, and research institutes related to the display industry around the world to attend, exchange the best information, and form a global network.

eXtended Reality Korea is the first XR industry-related business conference held by UBI Research and will cover trends and outlook on micro display, XR Hardware/Software, materials, equipment, etc.

This event aims to provide attendees with the opportunity to deeply explore the display and XR areas through a comprehensive program including tutorials, keynote presentations, and panel discussions.

The tutorial on March 27th will feature presentations on the future of XR, micro LED display technology, and key technologies to realize the next generation OLED display.

In addition, keynote presentations by ▲UBI Research, ▲Samsung Display, ▲LG Display, ▲Hyundai Mobis, and ▲Fortell Games are scheduled for the conference to be held on March 28th and 29th. Choong-Hoon Yi, CEO of UBI Research, will give a presentation on “OLED and XR industry outlook.” We will present the overall OLED industry, including OLED for IT, and the micro OLED industry that will be applied to MR equipment.

Samsung Display plans to introduce SDC’s roadmap for expanding the AR/VR market based on SDC’s plan to overcome technical obstacles in ultra-high-resolution displays under the title “AR/VR Development Strategy for Future Display.”

Under the theme of “Life with OLED,” LG Display will examine the field of OLED displays applied in daily life and present the continuous evolution and benefits of OLED technology.

Under the theme of “Automotive Display / HUD Trend and Future Display,” Hyundai Mobis presents trends and requirements for automotive displays, from Pillar To Pillar displays to Rollable displays, predicts future automotive displays, and announces development strategies.

Lastly, Fortell Games will discuss the topic of “Next-Gen Mixed Reality: New Horizons for Spatial Computing”, analyzing the latest developments in mixed reality technology and their impact on the future of the gaming industry.

In addition, it will be run by a total of 34 domestic and foreign speakers and programs, including AR/VR development and technology, automotive displays, OLED industry, backplane technology, and MicroLED display development.

Because it is a parallel event, attendees can attend both events even if they register for one event, and registration is possible at a special discount price during the early bird period until February 29th.

Detailed information can be found on the website (https://oledkoreaconference.com/, https://extendedrealitykorea.com/).

Aren’t you curious about the future of OLED and micro displays? OLED Korea and eXtended Reality Korea will provide the answer!

Korea maintains a leading position in the IT product and display markets. OLED Korea is an International Business Conference created to serve as a bridge between the global OLED industry so that OLED can replace LCD. This conference, with the participation of approximately 150 to 200 industry experts, has established itself as a key location to gauge the direction of the global OLED industry along with Korea’s OLED.

eXtended Reality Korea is an International Business Conference held for the first time. OLED is becoming a key display for XR displays, and Korea’s micro display development direction will be the key to determining the future of the XR industry.

OLED Korea and eXtended Reality Korea will be held as parallel events at The K Hotel in Yangjae, Seoul from March 27 to 29, 2024. This event consists of presentations and panel discussions by top experts in related industries around the world, focusing on Samsung and LG. Since it is a parallel event, you can attend both events even if you register at one location.

OLED Korea and eXtended Reality Korea will be business exchanges that provide answers and the best global network for companies to succeed in Korea’s OLED industry and XR industry.

OLED Korea : https://oledkoreaconference.com/

eXtended Reality Korea : https://extendedrealitykorea.com/

Foldable and slidable OLEDs are replacing LCDs in IT

Foldable OLED technology, which started in the smartphone market, is also sprouting up in the notebook market. Foldable OLED technology has the advantage that the entire front of a smartphone or notebook can be configured as a screen, and since the screen can be folded, it is a product that enhances portability. Therefore, it will become an essential product in the increasingly sophisticated information age.

Notebooks are the optimal application of Foldable OLED because the form factor itself is a foldable product, and since folding phones have existed in the mobile phone market before, foldable phones are also naturally being incorporated into the lives of modern people. Since the foldable book can be expanded to 20 inches, it will evolve into a new product that can overcome the monitor market.

Following on the heels of foldable OLED technology is slidable OLED. Slidable OLED is a way to expand the screen by taking out the OLED inside the device. Like Foldable OLED, Slidable OLED is a technology that can expand the screen, making it more portable. The application of Slidable OLED is a slidable PC that will replace tablet PCs. Instead of a 13-inch tablet PC, a slidable PC that can expand to 17 inches will be a new product that can expand to the notebook market.

Foldable Book and Slidable PC will be a game changer that will break the boundaries of the IT market where LCDs are used.

Originally published in 2024, the report “Foldable & Slidable OLED Technology and Market Outlook” detailed the technologies that are essential for foldable and slidable OLEDs to succeed in the market and provided a forecast of the future market.

▶Foldable & Slidable OLED Technology and Market Outlook Report Sample

In 2028, the OLED emitting material market is expected to reach $2.43 billion with an average annual growth rate of 5.8%

According to the ‘4Q23_Quarterly OLED Emitting Material Market Tracker’ recently published by UBI Research, the market for emitting materials used in OLED is forecasted to grow from $1.84 billion in 2023 to $2.43 billion in 2028, with an average annual growth rate of 5.8%.

By country, Korean panel companies’ material purchases are expected to grow at an average annual growth rate of 4.2% from $1.11 billion in 2023 to $1.36 billion in 2028, and Chinese’ material purchases are expected to increase from $730 million in 2023 to $1.07 billion in 2028.

As forecasted, the material purchase ratio by country in 2028 will be 56% in Korea and 44% in China. However, Chinese panel companies are mainly mass producing panels for Chinese domestic use and white boxes, so even if panel shipments increase in the future, low-priced materials will be used. So, there is a possibility that the expansion of China’s emitting material market will be reduced further than currently expected.

Lastly, UBI Research predicted that Samsung Display’s purchase of emitting materials in 2028 will reach $810 million, LG Display’s will reach $550 million, and BOE will reach $440 million.

OLED emitting material market

OLED emitting material market

▶ 4Q23 OLED Emitting Material Market Track Sample Download

OLED shipments for IT are expected to reach 31 million units in 2027, with an average annual growth rate of 41%

According to the ‘IT OLED Technology and Industry Trend Analysis Report’ recently published by UBI Research, OLED shipments for tablet PCs, notebooks, and monitors are expected to reach 31 million units in 2027 with an average annual growth rate of 41%.

This forecast is based on Samsung Display’s 5.5G OLED line, 6G OLED line, 8.5G QD-OLED line, 8.6G (2290 x 2620 mm2) IT line, and LG Display, BOE, and Visionox’s 6G OLED line.

Shipment forecast for IT OLED

Shipment forecast for IT OLED

For IT products, OLED had been a market that received less attention than smartphones or TVs, but has began to receive significant attention due to the increase in demand for IT products in COVID-19 and the prospect of Apple using OLED for IT products.

Previously, Samsung Display was mass producing a small amount of OLED for IT from some of A2 as the 5.5G rigid OLED line and the 8.5G QD-OLED line, and some Chinese companies such as EDO were producing IT OLEDs in small quantities, but in 2024, Samsung Display and LG Display plan to mass produce OLED for Apple’s iPad in earnest from the 6G line, and BOE also plans to mass produce OLED for IT from the B12 line.

In addition, Samsung Display decided to invest in the 8.6G OLED line for IT early this year, and is expected to mass produce various IT products, including notebooks, from the first half of 2026.

Moreover, LG Display and BOE are planning to invest in the 8.6G line as soon as they secure investment funds and customers, and Visionox is also reportedly holding meetings with major equipment companies to invest in the 8.6G line.

If demand for OLED from set companies for IT increases in the future and panel companies invest in 8.6G lines, the IT market is expected to become a new high value-added market for OLED, following the smartphone market.

▶ IT OLED Technology and Industry Trend Analysis Report Sample

OLED shipments for smartphones, China will reverse in 2025

According to the 3rd quarter OLED Market Track published by UBI Research, China’s OLED shipments for smartphones (including foldable phones) are expected to surpass Korea in 2025.

However, since OLEDs made by Chinese companies are cheaper than Korean products, it is expected that Korea will dominate in terms of sales until 2027.

OLEDs produced by Korean display makers are of excellent quality and will maintain their superiority in sales for the time being.

However, Chinese display makers, based on the huge domestic market and government support, are also improving in quality and knocking on the market with cost-effectiveness, so sales are expected to reverse after 2028 as well.

In order for Korea to maintain its display industry, it is necessary to expand the OLED market for IT and TV, which is difficult for Chinese companies to enter the market. In addition, it is time to make a quick transition to the micro display industry for XR, which is emerging as a new market.

Although China’s investment is ahead of the micro display, it is an area where Korean displays can easily establish a foothold because it requires a precision process similar to that of semiconductors.

Display companies were in a situation where they were chasing Korean companies, but now we have to humbly accept that Korean display companies are in a situation where they have to catch up with Chinese companies.

▶Small OLED Display Quarterly Market Track Sample

[IMID 2023 Keynote] LG Display’s automotive tandem OLED, applied to Hyundai Genesis

LG Display ‘Discovering the Best Automotive Display Solution for Tomorrow

LG Display ‘Discovering the Best Automotive Display Solution for Tomorrow

At the ‘IMID 2023’ held in BEXCO, Busan on the 23rd, Kim Byeong-gu, head of LG Display’s Auto Business Group, gave a keynote speech on the theme of ‘Discovering the Best Automotive Display Solution for Tomorrow’.

“The electric vehicle market is expected to grow 18% annually from the current 15 million units, reaching 50 million units annually by 2030,” said Kim, head of the group. He also predicted, “The automotive display market is expected to grow by 10% annually and reach a market of 12 billion dollars by 2030, and in particular, the automotive OLED market will show a high annual growth rate of 28%.”

The number of displays mounted on vehicles is increasing every year, and the size is increasing every year. Kim said, “The number of displays installed in vehicles increases every year, and by 2030, an average of 2.3 displays will be installed, and the average size will be over 15 inches.”. And He also mentioned, “We will manufacture large-size OLEDs for vehicles larger than 50 inches within a few years.”

LG Display ‘Discovering the Best Automotive Display Solution for Tomorrow

LG Display ‘Discovering the Best Automotive Display Solution for Tomorrow

Currently, LG Display is supplying luxury flagship P-OLED, premium OLED ATO (Advanced Thin OLED), and low-end LTPS LCD as automotive displays.

Group leader Kim said, “LG ​​Display, after mass-producing the world’s first automotive tandem OLED in 2019, has developed and mass-produced ‘Tandem OLED 2.0,’ which improves brightness by 30% and reduces power consumption by 40% in 2023. And LG Display is developing ‘Tandem OLED 3.0’, which improves luminance by 20% and power consumption by 20% from the second generation.”

LG Display ‘Discovering the Best Automotive Display Solution for Tomorrow

LG Display ‘Discovering the Best Automotive Display Solution for Tomorrow

Following this, Group Head Kim disclosed LG Display’s tandem OLED customers, such as Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, GM, Volvo, and Jaguar. Group leader Kim emphasized the Genesis of Hyundai Motor Company and emphasized, “We have been developing cooperation with Hyundai Motor Group for two years, and sooner or later, Genesis with LG Display’s tandem OLED will appear.”

Lastly, Group Head Kim said, “Based on continuous customer value realization and high-quality orders based on future technologies, LG Display will have a share of more than 50% in the automotive display market in 2026, excluding a-si LCD, and 60% in the automotive OLED display market.”

[IMID 2023] OLED exhibited by Samsung Display and LG Display

At ‘IMID 2023’ held in BEXCO, Busan on August 22, Samsung Display and LG Display exhibited a number of OLED products.

First, in ‘IMID 2023’, Samsung Display introduced 77-inch QD-OLED and light field display ‘2D↔3D Display’, ‘Slidable Flex Solo’ and ‘Slidable Flex Duet’, ‘Rollable Flex’, ‘Flex G’, ‘Flex It exhibited foldable and sliderable products such as ‘S’ and ‘Flex Note’. Products other than ‘2D↔3D Display’ were exhibited at ‘K-Display 2023’ held last week, and the exhibition scale was smaller than ‘K-Display 2023’.

Samsung Display 2D↔3D Display

Samsung Display 2D↔3D Display

Samsung DIsplay Light Field Display

Samsung DIsplay Light Field Display

The size of the ‘2D↔3D Display’ exhibited by Samsung Display was 16 inches, the panel resolution was 3840×2400, and eyetracking technology was inserted to support a 3D viewing angle of more than 40°.

LG Display’s 77-inch 8K OLED with ‘META Technology’ applied, 45-inch and 27-inch gaming OLED, ‘34” Full Dashboard OLED’, ‘18” Rollable OLED’, ‘15.6” Light Field Display’, ‘0.42” OLEDoS’ exhibited.

LG Display Rollable OLED

LG Display Rollable OLED

The 18-inch rollable OLED, which LG Display unveiled for the first time in Korea, realized a brighter screen by applying a tandem element structure, and passed more than 100,000 rolling tests. The resolution of the ‘18” Rollable OLED’ is 2560×1440, the brightness is 1,000nits, the rolling radius is 20R, and the cover window material is TPU (Thermoplastic Poly Urethane). An official from LG Display said, “There is no plan to mass-produce 18-inch rollable OLED yet, and the rolling radius will be between 5 and 10R when mass-producing actual products.”

‘0.42” OLEDoS (OLED on silicon)’, an ultra-high resolution product with 3500ppi, was the same as the product exhibited at ‘K-Display 2023’. It is a product that combines the optical system of LetinAR, a domestic optical module developer, with the panel of LG Display.

XR Industry Megatrends

Extended reality (XR) devices, which overlay an extended reality on top of the real world, are emerging as disruptive devices that will drive a second wave of digital convergence, renewing the digital convergence brought about by smartphones. MR (mixed reality) devices will converge TVs, monitors, and laptops, while AR (augmented reality) devices will integrate smartphones, smartwatches, and tablet PCs.

 

UBI Research has released a new report, “XR Industry Mega Trends Analysis,” which provides a detailed analysis of the past and present of the XR industry that set manufacturers, display companies, and component/material/equipment companies need to know in order to prepare for the upcoming second wave of digital convergence.

Analyzing all the models of XR devices on the market from VR devices that started to be released in 1989 to the first half of 2023, we found that XR devices have a very complex industry structure that is different from wearables, mobile devices, and IT devices that have existed before.

MR devices are characterized by being able to work while moving, unlike conventional IT products that are used while sitting in a chair, and AR devices are products that free up both hands while actively adjusting the display to provide information in all directions of head movement.

Therefore, it was analyzed that in order to succeed in the XR device industry, which is the next generation of innovative products, all related companies, including set companies, display companies, and equipment/components/materials, must first understand the composition, operation principle, and content of XR devices and prepare business directions.

The core components of XR devices are optics, displays, and sensors for tracking, and the content used is different depending on the characteristics of these three components. While the existing IT industry has determined the content to be used based on the performance and specifications of the hardware, XR devices are expected to develop in the opposite direction, with the content determining the specifications of the XR devices.

We have summarized the optics and displays of XR devices released in the first half of this year. Understanding the relationship between optics and display is an essential element of the XR device industry, as the type of content determines the specifications of the device.

We analyzed the optics, displays, and tracking methods of all XR devices released since 1989.

Display trends show that the number of models using LCDs is slowly decreasing, while the percentage of XR devices using micro-OLEDs is increasing.

In optical see-through (OST) AR with transparent windows, micro-OLEDs are most commonly used, with waveguides and birdbaths being used as optics.

Display companies need to work together to understand which combination of optics is appropriate for the display they are developing or producing.  This is because XR devices are often used for specific purposes rather than general purpose. The field of view (FoV) of the optics can determine the display of choice.

We analyzed the resolution trends in AR devices. FHD (1920×1080) resolution is becoming the main specification for AR devices. Micro-OLED is mostly used.

Micro-LEDs are attracting attention as the main display for AR devices due to their high brightness, but it will take at least five years before FHD products with a panel size of about 0.25 inches are available because panel and LED manufacturing technologies are not yet established.

As the features and specifications of XR devices vary depending on the purpose of use, it is necessary to closely examine the software, so we analyzed 472 products from 178 companies that have released software for XR since 2010.

We examined the number of software companies by country, and found that the United States has 79 companies, accounting for 44.1%. It is clear that the software industry for XR is dominated by the United States.

To analyze the activity of software companies, we examined the number of companies by genre that released products between 2018 and 2022. We analyzed the number of companies by genre in each country and found that the U.S. has an even distribution of companies in all genres.

This report will serve as a cornerstone for all supply chain players in the XR industry and those who wish to enter the XR industry in the future to understand the characteristics of the XR industry and find a successful business path.

▶ Megatrend Analysis of the XR industry Report Sample Download

Megatrend Analysis of the XR industry : Detailed analysis of XR devices and software industry

In order to shed light on the footsteps of the XR device industry, which is gradually increasing in scale with the goal of replacing wearable devices and IT devices, and to forecast the future market, XR device models and specifications released from 2018 to the first half of 2023 were analyzed. During this period, there were 327 models of XR devices and 127 companies that were investigated.

XR devices are classified into VR, MR, and AR. As for AR devices, only optical see-through (OST) products were classified as AR, and video see-through (VST), which allows viewing of the real world through a camera, were classified as MR. Since the labeling methods for MR and VR devices were mixed by the company, the fixing method was also closely investigated and referred to the device classification.

In order to analyze the trend of XR devices, it was analyzed by dividing into three types by period.
1) Latest trends of products released only in the first half of 2023
2) Overall XR device flow through analysis of products released from 1989 to 2022
3) 5-year trend between 2018 and 2022 for an accurate analysis of the current status, taking into account the company’s mergers and acquisitions, closure, etc.

Analyzing the number of models released between 1989 and 2022 by device, the XR device industry appears to have started to bloom in 2016. Most of the device models were for VR, but after the number of models released peaked in 2017, the number of new VR device models has been slowly declining. Especially since 2020 when Covid-19 started, the number of AR device models has outpaced the number of VR device models. One of the reasons for the decrease in the number of newly released VR device models is the increase in the number of MR device models. From this analysis, it seems that the XR device industry is shifting from VR to AR and MR industries from 2021.

The competitiveness of each country in the XR device industry was also analyzed. Recently, the device industry has been affected by the entire supply chain depending on the ecosystem of each country, so we looked at the countries and application fields that are leading the XR set industry. Between 2018 and 2022, the country with the highest number of vendors launching XR devices was China, with 25 vendors. The United States comes next with 20 companies, and Korea has the third largest number with 9 companies. As a result of investigating the number of companies by application field, Chinese companies have the largest number of companies that have released VR and MR products, but the number of AR companies is the number one in the United States. South Korea ranked third in AR and VR products respectively.

When analyzing the number of XR device product models, China ranked first, the US ranked second, and Taiwan ranked third.

We analyzed software companies for XR between 2010 and 2022, as well as their released products and applications. The number of software released during this period was 472, and the number of companies was 178. The increase in the number of software releases for XR started from 2016, and when 472 software were analyzed by XR type, the ratio was 66% with 311 cases for VR, and 81 cases and 80 cases for AR and VR, respectively. VR software still seems to dominate the XR software industry.

When XR type software was analyzed by country, China released the most products for VR with 177 cases. This result shows that China is leading the VR software industry. As a result of analysis by genre, game use accounted for 49% with 233 cases, industrial use with 62 cases with 13%, and entertainment with 41 cases with 9%.

When the number of software companies is analyzed by country, US companies have an overwhelming number of companies with 79. On the other hand, China, which has the most VR software releases, had only 12 companies.

▶ Megatrend Analysis of the XR industry Report Sample Download

LG디스플레이 부스

LG Display “A significant portion of the panel inventory adjustment that has been ongoing since last year is expected to turn profitable in the 4th quarter”

LG Display’s 2Q 2023 Performance Summary

LG Display’s 2Q 2023 Performance Summary

In a conference call on LG Display’s Q2 2023 earnings announcement held on the 26th, LG Display CFO Seong-Hyeon Kim announced, “As a significant portion of panel inventory adjustments have been made, a turnaround is expected in the fourth quarter of this year.”

Since last year, intensive inventory adjustments in downstream industries have continued, centering on TV and IT products, and panel inventory levels across the industry ecosystem have been declining. In the second quarter, demand for mid- to large-sized panels, including OLED TVs, increased and shipments expanded. Compared to the previous quarter, shipment area increased by 11% and sales increased by 7%.

Sales by product (based on sales) in the second quarter were 24% for TV panels, 42% for IT panels (monitors, laptops, tablet PCs, etc.), 23% for mobile panels and other products, and 11% for automobile panels.

LG Display plans to continue to promote ‘advanced business structure’ centered on ‘order-based business’ and expand the proportion of OLED business. It plans to further increase the proportion of OLED and business competitiveness in all large- and small- and medium-sized products. This year, OLED sales are expected to exceed 50%.

In the small and medium-sized OLED sector, it plans to make efforts to expand mobile product shipments based on the expanded production capacity, while further solidifying its leadership in IT OLED technology and preparing for mass production and supply systems in 2024 without a hitch. The automotive display business plans to focus on increasing sales and order receipts based on various and differentiated technological competitiveness that encompasses tandem OLED and high-end LCD.

Kim Seong-hyun, CFO of LG Display, said, “It is judged that the inventory adjustment of downstream industries, which has been ongoing since last year, has progressed considerably since the first half of the year.” Thanks to the expansion of order-based business performance, such as increased shipments, we expect a turnaround in the fourth quarter.”

LG Display announced that it recorded sales of KRW 4,738.6 billion and operating loss of KRW 881.5 billion in the second quarter of 2023.

▶ 2023 Medium and Large OLED Display Annual Report Sample Download

OLED panel makers’ 8.6G IT line investment trends, LG Display and BOE’s investment delays

Apple iPad Pro

Apple iPad Pro

Samsung Display and LG Display are investing in the 8.6th generation IT line with high added value to compensate for the decrease in sales due to the Chinese panel makers’ flexible OLED low-cost offensive and LCD withdrawal.

At the LG Display 2Q earnings announcement conference call held on the 26th, an official from LG Display said, “The announced 6th generation IT-related investments are proceeding as scheduled, and the investments will be made until the first half of next year.”

However, regarding the possibility of investing in the 8.6th generation IT OLED, it stated that “nothing has been confirmed yet”. LG Display emphasized, “We will carefully look at the possibility and progress of technology development and whether market demand is developing to a level that can contribute to the company’s profits before making an investment decision.”

LG Display’s 8.6th generation IT line investment is expected to be delayed compared to Samsung Display due to difficulties in securing new line investment funds due to operating losses, but it is expected to be able to supply panels to Apple from 2026.

Not only LG Display, but also Chinese panel maker BOE’s investment is being delayed. Samsung Display can secure Samsung Electronics and Apple, and LG Display can secure LG Electronics and Apple as customers, but BOE is expected to take at least two years to invest in the 8.6G line for IT because of uncertainty in securing customers.

Another Chinese panel maker, Visionox, is also preparing to invest in the 8.6G line for IT. Visionox plans to announce its investment in the 8.6th generation line with a total capacity of 30K in September.

On the other hand, Samsung Display’s investment in the 8.6th generation IT line has already been decided. Samsung Display plans to apply Oxide to the TFT of the 8.6th generation IT line and build it with 2 stack RGB OLED. Samsung Display had previously developed 8.6th generation vertical deposition 2 stack RGB OLED as an IT line, but the investment was decided for 8.6th generation horizontal deposition. Canon’s exposure machine is planned to be brought into Samsung Display’s IT line in April 2024, and negotiations on the price of the deposition machine with Canon Tokki have already been completed.

▶ 2023 Medium and Large OLED Display Annual Report Sample Download

Choong Hoon YI, CEO of UBI Research “Samsung Display will strengthen profitability by producing OLED for high value-added IT”

It is expected that Samsung Display will focus on producing panels for tablet PCs and notebooks to compensate for the reduced utilization rate of the A2 line due to the low-cost flexible OLED offensive of Chinese panel makers.

At the ‘2023 OLED & Micro Display Analyst Seminar’ held at the Federation of Korean Industries in Yeouido on the 5th, Choong Hoon YI, CEO of UBI Research, gave a presentation on ‘IT OLED industry trends and market prospects’.

Choong Hoon YI, CEO of UBI Research

Choong Hoon YI, CEO of UBI Research

CEO YI said, “Samsung Display is expected to focus on rigid OLED production for tablet PCs and notebooks to compensate for the reduced utilization rate of the A2 line due to the low-priced offensive of Chinese companies. As much as it focuses on IT OLED production, the shipment of rigid OLED for smartphones will drop sharply, but it is possible to maintain sales by producing rigid OLED for IT with high added value.” And he also said, “LG Display will start mass production one year later than Samsung Display, and BOE will start mass production at least two years later than Samsung Display.”

According to CEO Choong Hoon YI, LG Display’s decision is being delayed because it is difficult to secure funds for investment in new lines due to the deficit caused by the delay in switching from LCD lines to OLED lines. Nevertheless, LG Display is expected to be able to supply IT panels to Apple from 2026. However, there are still problems to be solved, such as stabilizing the process and securing yield of Sunic system equipment whose production capacity has not yet been verified.

BOE has invested in three OLED line factories for smartphones, but the operation rate is at a level of only one factory, and the Beijing city government is very dissatisfied with over-investment due to insufficient securing of Apple supplies. For the reasons mentioned above and because securing customers for IT OLED has not been decided, BOE’s IT OLED line investment is expected to take at least two years.

CEO YI said, “Chinese panel makers are trying to increase their market share with low-priced attacks, but domestic companies that have secured large customers such as Samsung Electronics and Apple have a significant advantage in competition. In the future, the OLED industry for TV and IT will be developed mainly by Korean companies.”

▶ 2023 Medium and Large OLED Display Annual Report Sample Download

Foldable OLED shipments will expand to 61 million units in 2027, and the UTG market will also grow more than three times

According to the ‘2023 OLED Components and Materials Report’ recently published by UBI Research (www.ubiresearch.com), a company specializing in OLED market research, In 2023, foldable OLED shipments are expected to record 22 million units, and expand to 61 million units in 2027 at an average annual growth rate of 29%.

Ultra Thin Glass market forecast

Ultra Thin Glass market forecast

As the foldable market expands, the market for foldable cover windows is also expected to expand. The market for foldable cover windows is expected to expand from $410 million in 2023 to $840 million in 2027.

However, since Samsung Display plans to mass-produce foldable OLEDs only with UTG in the future, and BOE, TCL CSOT, and Visionox are also developing foldable OLEDs with UTG applied, the cover window market for foldable phones is expected to be led by UTG (UItra thin glass) in the future, and the share of colorless PI will continue to decline.

The UTG market is expected to grow from $240 million in 2023 to $740 million in 2027, and the colorless PI market is expected to shrink from $170 million in 2023 to $95 million in 2027.

Samsung Electronics, a leader in foldable phones, has applied UTG (Ultra thin glass) for cover windows to all foldable phones released since the ‘Galaxy Z Fold2’. Samsung Electronics processes and uses Corning’s glass, and Samsung Display is supplied with Schott’s glass.

Recently, Chinese companies that have adopted colorless PI as a cover window due to lack of technology are also increasing the use of UTG.

Motorola released clam-shell type ‘Razr 40’ and ‘Razr 40 Ultra’ in June. The panel supplier for both products is TCL CSOT, and Schott’s UTG is processed and supplied by SEED(赛德) for the cover window. Among them, the ‘Razr 40 Ultra’ has a larger external display of 3.6 inches compared to the existing foldable phone, similar to the ‘Galaxy Z Flip 5’ to be released by Samsung Electronics.

Oppo is preparing to release a 6.8-inch clam-shell type and an 8.1-inch book type foldable phone. All of Oppo’s new foldable OLED panels will be supplied by BOE, and TOKEN will process and supply Schott’s UTG.

Huawei released the successor to the Mate series, the Mate X3, in April. The foldable OLED panel of ‘Mate X3’ is supplied by BOE and Visionox, and the cover window is supplied with KOLON’s colorless PI coated by DNP. Huawei was developing UTG for cover windows, but adopted colorless PI due to performance issues.

The ‘2023 OLED Components and Materials Report’ published this time analyzes the development and business status of foldable/rollable OLED by set and panel companies, the latest OLED development status such as MLA (Micro lens array), QD materials, oxide TFT, and encapsulation technology, OLED Analysis of panel makers’ mass production capa and market outlook for major parts and materials were discussed.

▶ 2023 OLED Components and Materials Report Sample Download

[SID 2023 Keynote] Tianma leaps forward to become one of the top 3 global display makers with the ‘2+1+N’ strategy

SID2023 Tianma Keynote

SID2023 Tianma Keynote

At SID 2023 held in Los Angeles, USA, Charles Peng, chairman of Tianma, delivered a keynote speech under the theme of ‘New Trends and Strategies for the Display Industry’. Chairman Charles Peng predicted that the proportion of LCD applied to smartphone displays will continue to decrease, while the proportion of AMOLED will increase and exceed 50% by 2024.

Chairman Peng said “By 2025, smartphone shipments with LTPO backplanes will reach 50%. Currently, Tianma is sequentially supplying AMOLED with LTPO backplane to flagship and foldable models and LTPS backplane to high-end and mid-range models.”

Chairman Peng continued, “In the current display market, the shipments of products with 150 ppi or more account for only 13%, but account for 60% of the total display market revenue, and products with 150 ppi or less account for 87% of shipments, but the market revenue is 40%. “It is important to capture the outstanding profitability of displays with high added value and high resolution.” Chairman Peng said, “In line with this trend, Tianma is pursuing a ‘2+1+N’ strategy that expands two core businesses such as smartphones and displays for automobiles, one core growth business for IT displays, and value-added businesses such as industries and applications. We will leap forward to become one of the world’s top three display companies.”

▶ 2023 Small OLED Display Annual Report Sample Download

Tianma’s OLED shipments for smartphones were second only to BOE among Chinese makers

TIANMA

TIANMA

It was found that Tianma, a Chinese OLED panel supplier, supplied the second most OLED panels for smartphones after BOE in the first quarter of 2023. In the meantime, among Chinese companies, Visionox has always been in second place after BOE in OLED shipments for smartphones, but it gave way to Tianma for the first time in this first quarter.

Tianma’s major customers include Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, Honor, and Lenovo. It is analyzed that one of the reasons for Tianma’s increase in OLED shipments is that it brought some of TCL CSOT’s shipments to Xiaomi.

Thanks to orders from Xiaomi, Tianma’s panel shipments have soared since the fourth quarter of last year. Tianma’s OLED panel shipments for smartphones in the fourth quarter of 2022 increased by about 3 times compared to the previous quarter, and in the first quarter of 2023, OLED panel shipments for smartphones reached 8.5 million units, an increase of 430% compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

If this atmosphere continues, it is analyzed that there is a possibility that Tianma will overtake Visionox and produce the second largest number of OLED panels for smartphones after BOE in China for the first time this year.

▶ China Trend Report Inquiry

OLED emitting materials market in 2027 expected to reach US$ 2.59 billion with an average annual growth rate of 7.7%

According to the ‘2023 OLED Emitting Material Report’ recently published by UBI Research, the total emitting material market is expected to reach US$ 2.59 billion in 2027 with an average annual growth rate of 7.7% from US$ 1.92 billion in 2023.

total emitting material market

total emitting material market

Analyst Yoon Daejeong of UBI Research said, “The small OLED material market is expected to grow at an average annual growth rate of 2.5% from 2023 to US$ 1.61 billion in 2027. And in 2027, Samsung Display’s purchase of small OLED materials is expected to be US$ 560 million, BOE US$ 430 million, and LG Display US$ 200 million.” and “the small OLED material market will change depending on how much the foldable OLED market replaces the sharp decline in rigid OLED shipments for smartphones.

Analyst Yoon continued, “As the shipments of LG Display’s WOLED and Samsung Display’s QD-OLED are expected to be 12 million units and 3 million units, respectively, in the large OLED material market in 2027, the purchase amount of emitting materials is also expected to be US$ 430 million and US$ 140 million, respectively”

Meanwhile, the report predicted that by OLED method in 2027, RGB OLED would occupy the largest share at 66.6%, followed by WOLED at 16.5%, RGB 2stack OLED at 11.4%, and QD-OLED at 5.5%.

▶ 2023 OLED Emitting Material Report Sample Download

Samsung Display Signs MOU with Ferrari, Enters ‘Samsung OLED’ in Supercars

Samsung Display will supply state-of-the-art OLEDs to the supercar Ferrari. Samsung Display announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Ferrari at the Asan Campus on the 11th to develop display solutions to be installed in Ferrari’s next-generation car models. The signing ceremony was attended by Choi Joo-seon, president of Samsung Display, and Benedetto Vigna, CEO of Ferrari.

According to this MOU, Samsung Display will develop a luxurious and innovative automotive display solution suitable for a luxury supercar brand based on the world’s best OLED technology and support Ferrari’s digital transformation, which is currently speeding up.

Samsung Display, which has led the technology transition in the premium smartphone market from LCD to OLED over the past decade, is actively targeting the automotive display market based on its unrivaled OLED technology accumulated over a long period of time.

In particular, the ‘New Digital Cockpit’ was introduced for the first time at the last ‘CES 2023’. The 34-inch display mounted on the ‘New Digital Cockpit’ is equipped with bendable technology that bends left and right at 700R, and provides the driver with an optimal viewing distance to enhance concentration.

Samsung Display said, “Samsung OLED is a technology that can satisfy the needs of automobile manufacturers who want innovative and luxurious designs because it has excellent design scalability with a light and slim structure and thin bezel, and can express perfect black and deep contrast.” and “Especially, OLED’s low-power characteristics will increase the efficiency of automobiles and act as a more attractive factor.”

Regarding the agreement, Ferrari CEO Benedetto Viña said, “Ferrari is a luxury company that provides a special experience, not just a means of transportation.” and “We expect to maximize the value and completeness of Ferrari’s next-generation products through strategic cooperation with Samsung Display, which makes the best OLED,” he said.

Choi Ju-seon, president of Samsung Display, said, “Based on OLED technology that has been intensively developed over a long period of time, we will introduce a cutting-edge display solution suitable for ‘Ferrari’.” And “We plan to strengthen our OLED business for automobiles in cooperation with leading global automobile companies, including Ferrari, in the future,” he said.

▶ 2023 Medium and Large OLED Display Annual Report Sample Download

JOLED filed for civil rehabilitation due to financing problems, withdraws from OLED business

JOLED

JOLED

JOLED filed for civil rehabilitation with the Tokyo District Court due to financing problems. As JOLED withdraws from the OLED business, it will close two factories in Japan and lay off about 280 employees. JOLED’s total debt is $257 million.

JOLED was born in 2015 by merging the OLED business units of Panasonic and Sony with the goal of accelerating the development and commercialization of mass production of OLED displays. However, due to a global semiconductor supply shortage, weak display demand, and extreme price competition, JOLED’s situation worsened and profitability was sluggish, so it filed for civil rehabilitation.

JOLED entered into an agreement with JDI(Japan Display Inc.) to support the revitalization of its technology development business at the same time as filing for bankruptcy. JDI said it has agreed to acquire JOLED’s technology development team and intellectual property, which consists of approximately 100 employees, to expand and accelerate its growth.

JOLED raised funds by receiving investments from companies such as Denso, Toyota and Sumitomo Chemical in 2018, and entered into a capital partnership with TCL CSOT in 2020. However, JOLED’s liabilities exceeded its assets in March 2022, with its production lines closed until the spring of 2021 due to the impact of the coronavirus, and continuing losses due to a global chip shortage. JOLED, which can only produce mid-sized OLED panels, has been hit hard by the corona as it is unable to capitalize on growing demand in other sectors.

▶ 2023 Medium and Large OLED Display Annual Report Sample Download

OLED panel shipments for TVs are expected to reach 14.1 million units in 2027 with an average annual growth rate of 11.6% from 9.1 million units in 2023

According to the ‘2023 Medium and Large OLED Annual Report’ recently published by UBI Research, OLED panel shipments for TVs are expected to grow from 9.1 million units in 2023 to 14.1 million units in 2027 with an average annual growth rate of 11.6%.

Shipment Forecast for OLED TV

Shipment Forecast for OLED TV

In 2022, it is analyzed that TV demand will decline due to the global economic deterioration, and global TV shipments will also stop at the early 200 million units. In the case of LG Display, it set a goal to ship more than 10 million WOLEDs in early 2022, including those for monitors, but released a total of 6.96 million units, recording a decrease of 880,000 units from 7.84 million units in 2021. Samsung Display’s QD-OLED shipments for TVs are also analyzed to have recorded 950,000 units.

As the economic situation is expected to gradually recover in 2023, LG Display’s TV WOLED shipments are expected to be 7.6 million units and Samsung Display’s QD-OLED shipments to be 1.5 million units.

Meanwhile, UBI Research predicted that LG Display’s micro lens array (MLA) applied ‘OLED.EX’ panel would be partially mass-produced from 2023, and Samsung Display’s QD-OLED monthly capacity of 36K is expected to be 41K per month by the second half of 2023 and 45K per month by the first half of 2024.

▶ 2023 Medium and Large OLED Display Annual Report Sample Download

2023 OLED KOREA Conference “OLED, a premium electronic product lineup and micro display, a promising future industry”

OLED KOREA, hosted by UBI Research, a market research company, will be held at the Central Park Hotel in Songdo, Incheon from April 12 to 14. OLED KOREA, which marks its 7th anniversary, is a business conference where top authorities in display from Korea, Japan, Asia, the United States, and Europe gather.

This conference will deal with the topics of OLED, which has become a premium electronic product, and micro-display for AR and VR, which are rapidly emerging as future industries.

In order for OLED to replace LCD, the emergence of phosphorescent blue materials is the most important. At this conference, Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology and UDC will introduce the direction of phosphorescent material development. Commercialization of phosphorescent blue materials will be an inflection point that can overturn the display industry.

There are two types of micro displays: micro OLED and micro LED. While micro OLED is leading the way for VR, micro LED is gradually taking its place in AR. In OLED KOREA, programs are composed of AR companies, micro display manufacturers, and related technology companies. It will be an important place to guess who will be the winner of the future micro display.

The pre-registration period for this conference is until April 7, 2023, and you can check program and speaker information and register for the event through the website (https://oledkoreaconference.com/).