BOE OLEDoS AR/VR Microdisplay at IPC 2025

BOE Establishes Microdisplay Development Infrastructure in Beijing… Unveils a Range of AR/VR Products and Roadmap at the 2025 BOE IPC

AR glasses with 0.49-inch 4496ppi OLEDoS displayed at BOE IPC 2025 (Source: BOE)

0.49-inch 4496ppi OLEDoS AR glasses unveiled at BOE IPC 2025 (Source: BOE)

BOE will convert the clean room of its fifth-generation B1 LCD line in Beijing, China, to create an OLEDoS (silicon-based OLED) production infrastructure. The investment will be funded by the Beijing B20 base and will utilize existing equipment and infrastructure to shorten process validation and yield ramp-up time. This is not a simple expansion, but rather a strategy to internalize silicon microdisplay in Beijing and secure an early mass production system.

BOE unveiled its microdisplay roadmap and new products at the 2025 International Partner Conference (IPC) and related events. BOE demonstrated its technology and commercialization commitment to next-generation applications such as high-resolution AR/VR devices, and BOE will focus its R&D and investment on high-resolution LCDs of 2,000 ppi and above, as well as LEDoS and OLEDoS. In addition, the company plans to establish a new microdisplay production base in Beijing and to secure technology independence by shifting from relying on external design houses to developing its own silicon (Si) backplane technology.

BOE has also reorganized its portfolio by market segment. The premium market will be served by LEDoS and OLEDoS, while the mid-range market will be served by developing and producing AMOLED panels for VR at its Chongqing base. For the entry-level market, a 2,000 ppi LTPS-LCD microdisplay line will be launched at Beijing B20 to enhance cost competitiveness and volume responsiveness. Separately, the transition to MLED backplanes is underway at the Ordos B6 line. The plan is to leverage Gen 5.5 assets to improve the uniformity and reliability of key processes such as sputtering-based metal-electrode thin-film formation, and to advance process maturity by optimizing low-resistance wiring and contact characteristics required for large-area operation.

BOE’s move is likely to change the competitive landscape with Sony, Samsung Display, and others in the AR/VR market. In-house development of the silicon backplane is expected to speed up product launches by shortening the feedback loop for design changes, performance improvements, and power optimization.

The infrastructure shift to Beijing is also expected to enhance supply chain stability and customization responsiveness. By consolidating design, optics, software, and solutions capabilities in Beijing, the plan is to reduce lead times for customization and product generation transitions.

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

▶UBI Research’s Micro Display Report

OLED emitting material market share by nation, Korea leading overall while China rises in smartphones

OLED Emitting Material Market Landscape Shifts… Korea Maintains Overall Lead While China Advances in Smartphones

OLED emitting material market share by nation, comparison of Korea and China (Source: UBI Research)

OLED emitting material market share trends by nation (Source: UBI Research)

According to the Q3 Emitting Material Market Tracker recently published by UBI Research, Korean panel makers maintained their lead over Chinese competitors in total OLED emitting material purchases in the first half of 2025. Korean panel makers purchased approximately 36.7 tons, accounting for 59.9% of the total, while Chinese panel makers purchased 24.6 tons, representing 40.1%. By quarter, Korea recorded 18.6 tons versus China’s 12.8 tons in Q1 2025, and 18.1 tons versus 11.8 tons in Q2, continuing a stable lead.

While Korea continues to dominate the overall OLED emitting material market, the smartphone segment shows a different trend. Since 2025, Chinese panel makers have consistently exceeded 50% market share on a quarterly basis, surpassing Korea in the first-half total as well. This indicates that although Korea remains ahead in the overall OLED emitting material market, China’s share is steadily expanding in smartphones, a core application segment. Backed by its strong domestic demand, China has rapidly increased shipments, suggesting that the balance between the two countries is gradually shifting in the medium to long term.

By company, Samsung Display accounted for about 40% of the total OLED emitting material purchases, maintaining the largest share, followed by LG Display, BOE, and Tianma. In contrast, in the smartphone OLED emitting material market, BOE closely followed Samsung Display, with Tianma, TCL CSOT, and LG Display trailing behind. Thus, while Korean panel makers still demonstrate clear strength in the overall market, Chinese panel makers are making notable strides in the smartphone sector.

UBI Research analyst Noh Chang-ho stated, “Although Korea has been overtaken by China in the smartphone OLED emitting material market, Samsung Display and LG Display remain ahead in the overall OLED market, supplying IT panels, QD-OLED, and WOLED,” adding, “However, as Chinese panel makers expand shipments of smartphones and foldables, along with increasing IT OLED production, the gap between Korea and China in the emitting material market is narrowing rapidly.”

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

▶OLED Emitting Material Market Tracker Sample

Samsung Display unveils new automotive OLED brand DRIVE™ with digital cockpit at IAA Mobility 2025

Samsung Display Unveils New Automotive OLED Brand, ‘DRIVE™’ at IAA Mobility 2025

Samsung Display’s OLED digital cockpit concept showcased at IAA Mobility 2025 (Source: Samsung Display)

Samsung Display unveils digital cockpit for future vehicles at IAA Mobility 2025 (Source: Samsung Display)

Samsung Display unveiled its next-generation automotive OLED technology and its new automotive OLED brand, “DRIVE™,” at IAA Mobility 2025, the world’s largest mobility exhibition held in Munich, Germany. As the only global panel manufacturer to participate, Samsung Display used this exhibition to accelerate its strategy to expand into the automotive display market, highlighting the design flexibility and differentiated image quality of its automotive OLED displays. Samsung Display unveiled a digital cockpit that incorporates OLED across all touchpoints for both driver and passengers. The driver’s seat features a 10.25-inch moving OLED cluster, an innovative design that functions as a dashboard during driving and hides beneath the dashboard when parked. A large 34-inch OLED display is positioned in front of the passenger seat. 14.5-inch and 13.8-inch OLED panels can be combined using multi-lamination technology to form a single large screen or two independent displays. Samsung Display’s “Flex Magic Pixel” technology blocks passenger content from the driver’s seat, enhancing driving safety. A 14.4-inch L-shaped flexible OLED panel is featured in the center fascia, allowing intuitive control of vehicle settings and the air conditioning system. A 9.4-inch circular OLED for rear-seat passengers and a 30-inch rooftop display were also unveiled, demonstrating OLED solutions that encompass the entire interior of the vehicle.

Samsung Display unveiled its first rigid OLED-based Off-The-Shelf (OTS) solution at this exhibition. With a total of seven standardized product lines ranging from 7 inches to 17 inches, the company aims to enable customers to quickly implement desired sizes, reducing development costs and time while also securing price competitiveness. Samsung Display also demonstrated its ability to meet the demand for large-screen displays in automobiles by demonstrating multi-lamination technology, which combines multiple OLED panels to create a single, large screen. Under the theme of “Upgrade to OLED,” Samsung Display highlighted the advantages of OLED over mini LED. The company showcased a rectangular mini LED cluster, a curved OLED cluster that can be molded into a curve, and a curved OLED cluster that maximizes immersion, highlighting design freedom. Visitors were also able to experience firsthand the display’s image quality advantages, such as true black, high contrast, and excellent outdoor visibility, essential for safe driving.

Samsung Display also unveiled a concept design for a future vehicle, created in collaboration with French designer Alban Lehaye. Using rollable, foldable, and stretchable OLEDs, the company proposed a V-shaped outfolding roof display, an extendable CID, and a flexible L-shaped panel, emphasizing the infinite expandability of OLED. A highlight of the exhibition was the debut of its new automotive OLED brand, “DRIVE™,” which embodies Samsung Display’s five core values: design differentiation, robust reliability, intelligent safety, visual excellence, and expandability. Lee Ju-hyung, Executive Vice President and Head of the Small and Medium Business Division at Samsung Display, stated, “OLED is a display optimized for the digital platform of the Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) era. Together with global customers, we will promote the differentiated value of automotive OLEDs through the DRIVE™ brand and strengthen our market leadership.”

Samsung Display recently signed a contract with Mercedes-Benz to exclusively supply automotive AMOLEDs for the 2028 Maybach S-Class. Negotiations are also reportedly underway with global electric vehicle manufacturers such as Tesla and BYD. Samsung Display’s automotive OLED shipments are projected to reach approximately 1.17 million units in the first half of 2025, and the IAA Mobility 2025 exhibition is expected to accelerate its global market share expansion.

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

▶2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis Report

SIDTEK to build Micro-OLED production site in Nanchong with mass production set for 2027

SIDTEK to Establish Micro-OLED Production Base in Nanchong, Mass Production Set for 2027

SIDTEK’s Micro-OLED investment roadmap presented at K-Display Business Forum 2025 (Source: UBI Research)

SIDTEK presenting its Micro-OLED investment roadmap at K-Display Business Forum 2025 (Source: UBI Research)

Chinese Micro-OLED specialist SIDTEK is moving forward with a new production base investment in Nanchong, Sichuan Province. The company aims to complete the main production building by the end of 2025, initiate pilot production by late 2026, and enter full-scale mass production in 2027.

The project is being supported by a 150 million RMB investment from the Sichuan provincial government. SIDTEK already operates 8-inch and 12-inch Micro-OLED production lines in Wuhu, Anhui Province. With the addition of the Nanchong facility, the company is diversifying its manufacturing footprint and establishing a stronger foundation to meet the growing global demand.

SIDTEK has made high-resolution OLEDoS (OLED on Silicon) displays for AR, VR, and next-generation XR devices its core business. Earlier this year, the company presented its OLEDoS mass production roadmap and vertical integration manufacturing strategy at the K-Display Business Forum, underscoring its technological competitiveness.

The Nanchong plant will become SIDTEK’s third major production base, and once fully operational, it is expected to strengthen China’s position in the global Micro-OLED supply chain.

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

▶ China Market Trend Report Inquiry

Sony Honda Mobility to integrate Micro LED media bar into Afeela EV in 2026

Sony Honda Mobility to Implement Micro-LED Media Bar in Afeela by 2026… New Revenue Strategy Combining Subscription Models

Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) will be incorporating a micro-LED-based Media Bar into its Afeela electric vehicle, slated for release in 2026. The Media Bar, a display mounted on the front of the vehicle, can display a variety of information, including charging status, weather, welcome messages, and driving modes. It also offers customized communication features through animations and themes. It is considered a new experiment in the automotive industry, as it goes beyond a simple instrument panel or infotainment screen to visually express the vehicle’s “emotions and personality.”

Micro-LED media bar on the front of Sony Honda Mobility’s Afeela EV (Source: Sony Honda Mobility)

Afeela EV front view with Micro-LED media bar (Source: Sony Honda Mobility)

The problem lies in manufacturing costs. Currently, the production cost of micro-LEDs is nearly ten times higher than the automotive industry’s expectations. Even smartwatches and ultra-small displays are still prohibitively expensive to commercialize, and modules in the tens of inches required for vehicle fronts are even more expensive. Nevertheless, SHM’s decision to adopt micro-LEDs for the Afleea stems from strategic considerations. First, micro-LEDs are superior to conventional OLEDs and LCDs in terms of high brightness, durability, transparency, and design flexibility. They can deliver clear information even in outdoor driving conditions, and their long lifespan makes them ideal for exterior vehicle displays. The technological symbolism is also significant. By combining Sony’s display technology with Honda’s automotive brand image, the company aims to position the Afleea as a differentiated premium electric vehicle.

A more fundamental reason lies in its connection to the software subscription business. The automotive industry has recently evolved into a software-defined vehicle (SDV), offering driver assistance systems, infotainment, navigation, and connectivity features on a subscription basis. BMW, GM, Ford, and Tesla are already building new revenue models by converting some features to monthly subscriptions, and the global market is experiencing double-digit annual growth. SHM also plans to offer Afleea’s infotainment and driver assistance software as a subscription service, and by linking it with Media Bar, it aims to offer a differentiated subscription experience.

For example, Media Bar themes and animations can be expanded beyond basic functionality through a premium subscription model. Seasonal themes, brand-affiliated content, personalized designs, and social network integrations offer ongoing value for users. As the vehicle’s exterior itself becomes a means of communication, a new revenue model of “vehicle software subscription + Media Bar content subscription” becomes possible. This structure can offset the initial burden of implementing expensive micro-LEDs in the long term. In other words, it goes beyond hardware investment and enables ongoing service revenue generation based on this technology.

While the automotive industry has historically generated most of its revenue at the time of vehicle sales, the convergence of hardware, software, and services will become key in generating long-term revenue. SHM’s bold adoption of a micro-LED media bar in the Afleea is not simply a show of technology, but rather a strategic move to secure a new business model combined with software subscriptions. It reflects their confidence that, despite the high hardware investment and risk involved, they can secure profitability in the long term by combining it with subscription services.

When the Afleea hits the market in 2026, consumers will not simply be presented with an electric vehicle, but a new mobility platform offering a personalized, subscription-based display experience. This is likely to serve as a key benchmark for other automakers. It remains to be seen whether SHM’s decision will catalyze the expansion of subscription models in the automotive industry, despite the high cost structure.

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

▶2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis Report

ams OSRAM unveils ALIYOS prototype interior display at Detroit exhibition

ams OSRAM unveils ALIYOS™ prototype at Detroit trade show, highlighting new potential applications for automotive interior displays

ams OSRAM, a global leader in automotive lighting and optical semiconductors, has recently expanded its scope beyond simple light source supply to include automotive interior displays and smart surface solutions. The company unveiled its next-generation interior display concept, ALIYOS™ technology, and showcased a prototype at the Vehicle Display Interface exhibition and conference held in Detroit, USA, on September 9th and 10th.

ms OSRAM’s ALIYOS™ demonstrator with multiple foil designs and integration methods (Source: ams OSRAM)

ams OSRAM ALIYOS™ interior display prototype (Source: ams OSRAM)

ALIYOS™ is an ultra-thin LED-on-foil technology that integrates Mini LEDs onto a transparent, flexible foil. This new display solution enables the display of hidden icons and symbols behind a variety of automotive interior materials. In this demonstration, a 256-segment matrix was placed behind a wood panel to display information, such as communication icons. The bright, clear symbols, while still retaining the wood grain and texture, blended seamlessly with the wood interior. When applied behind fabric, the light diffusion was more uniform than that of wood, allowing the icons to be displayed evenly. With a luminance of approximately 250 cd/m², the system demonstrated sufficient visibility even in a vehicle environment. Furthermore, function icons, such as the start button and warning signs, were hidden behind the same wood, demonstrating the potential for a premium interface that only appears when needed.

One of ALIYOS™’s most notable features is its display expansion capability, which seamlessly connects high-resolution LCD content with a low-resolution LED matrix by placing the foil matrix next to a conventional LCD screen. This method simultaneously achieves a black panel effect and brightness efficiency through seamless, borderless transitions. Furthermore, it allows for overlapping different symbols in the same location, or even multi-color and animation effects, providing an interface that responds instantly to changing situations. When applied to transparent areas, it creates a floating visual effect, and it can also be manufactured as a thin, standalone HMI module, maximizing freedom in vehicle interior design.

ams OSRAM’s display of this prototype goes beyond simply demonstrating the technology. It’s a strategic move to demonstrate to automakers and tier 1 suppliers the practical feasibility of its technology and demonstrate its ability to address design trends such as black panels, hidden-until-lit interfaces, and integration with natural materials—all of which are difficult to achieve with existing display technologies. Through this initiative, ams OSRAM demonstrates its commitment to becoming a key partner in automotive interior displays, extending beyond its role as an optical semiconductor company.

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

▶2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis Report

JBD and Chinese companies unveil Micro-LED AR/AI glasses and optical solutions at CIOE 2025

Accelerating the Advancement of Chinese Companies’ Technology and Supply Chain in Micro-LED Displays and Optical Solutions for AR/AI Glasses

The 26th China International Optoelectronic Expo (CIOE) was held at the Shenzhen International Convention Center on September 10, 2025. At this exhibition, new Micro-LED-based AR products from companies like JBD and Goeroptics were prominently unveiled.

JBD’s ‘Hummingbird II’ Micro-LED color light engine and AR glasses (Source: UBI Research)

JBD’s showcased ‘Hummingbird II’ color light engine and AR glasses (Source: UBI Research)

AR display image as seen through JBD’s ‘Hummingbird II’ light engine (Source: UBI Research)

AR display as viewed through the Hummingbird II light engine (Source: UBI Research)

JBD showcased its latest products, including the Micro-LED 0.1-inch micro display and the ‘Hummingbird II’ color light engine.  It achieved an ultra-compact size of 0.2cc and an ultra-lightweight of 0.5g through its X-Cube structure. Innovision exhibited a development sample with a 2.5 mm pixel size and 0.06-inch display. Micro-LED display sizes are progressively shrinking from 0.13 inches to 0.1 inches, and further to 0.06 inches. Resolve introduced a light engine equipped with a 0.13-inch PowerMatch1 full-color Micro-LED display. The engine’s volume is only 0.18cc, and its weight is just 0.5g, enabling lighter AR glasses.

Chinese companies also showcased advanced new products in AR glasses optical technology at this exhibition. Goeroptics unveiled new AR/VR optical products.  They drew significant attention with diverse products ranging from silicon carbide etched waveguides to ultra-compact optical modules for full-color AR glasses and monocular 4K VR/MR pancake solutions. Utilizing Micro-LED Full color (X-cube) and silicon carbide etched waveguide technology, they achieved a 30° field of view (FOV) and a weight of 4g (see photo below).

AR glasses with SiC waveguide exhibited by Goeroptics (Source: UBI Research)

Goeroptics’ exhibited AR glasses with SiC waveguide (Source: UBI Research)

Specifications of Goeroptics AR glasses with Micro-LED and waveguide (Source: UBI Research)

Specification sheet of Goeroptics exhibited AR glasses (Source: UBI Research)

In addition, numerous Chinese companies including Raypaitech (理湃光晶), SHOUJING Sci. & Tech (首镜 科技), and North Ocean Photonics (鲲游光电) showcased a large number of waveguide and smart glasses solution products. The Chinese industry has already established a smart glasses supply chain, encompassing not only micro-displays, waveguides, and optical engines, but also companies providing complete smart glasses solutions. This supply chain is accelerating its pace of development.

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

▶2025 Micro-LED Display Industry and Technology Trends Report

Apple iPhone Fold to feature 24MP under-display camera (UDC) for full-screen design

Apple to bring 24-megapixel UDC to iPhone Fold… Enhancing technological sophistication

Diagram of under-panel camera (UPC) and pixel structure (Source: Samsung Display Newsroom)

Structure and pixel layout of the under-panel camera (UPC) (Source: Samsung Display Newsroom)

Apple could include a 24-megapixel under-display camera (UDC) in next year’s iPhone Fold, enabling a fully all-screen design without a dynamic island or notch, according to a JPMorgan report. Such a design innovation is highly anticipated by consumers and will be an important indicator of how quickly the expensive UDC technology will proliferate in the premium smartphone market.

Samsung introduced the world’s first UDC in the Galaxy Z Fold 3 in 2021 and kept the 4-megapixel camera on the inside screen until the Z Fold 6. However, consumer satisfaction was not high due to poor image quality and lack of cost-effectiveness, and China’s BOE filed two UDC patent infringement lawsuits against Samsung Display in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in May and July. In the end, Samsung put the UDC on hold for its latest Galaxy Z Fold 7 and kept the punch-hole method, a strategic choice that industry observers believe was based on legal and technical risks.

   Apple combined high transmittance new materials, high pixel sensors, and AI-based image restoration technology to achieve a full all-screen form factor with high-resolution photography and Touch ID. This process will inevitably raise costs due to complex panel processes, lower yields, and increased chipset computational resources, but the idea is to differentiate itself through a “full-screen experience.

 UDC technology is a key factor in realizing full screen, which allows for an aesthetic appearance by not placing cameras on top of the display. However, as light passes through multiple display layers, diffraction, scattering, and attenuation occur, resulting in noise, blurring, flaring, and poor transmittance, leading to practical problems such as poor photo quality and failed face recognition.

To solve these problems, Samsung Display is using AI-based image restoration technology to correct noise from the camera under the display and improve face recognition accuracy, and is currently verifying its performance in real-world environments, announcing a related paper at SID 2025.

At SID 2025, TCL China Star Optoelectronics (CSOT) announced the design of a 4K Real RGB OLED medium-sized panel with Camera Under Panel (CUP) technology. By relocating the pixel circuitry to a bezel section outside the camera area, the CUP technology achieves 85.8% camera aperture, 13.8% transmittance at 550nm, and 1:1 luminance uniformity between CUP and normal pixels. In the future, the company plans to apply colorless PI substrates and COE structures to increase the transmittance to over 22% and reduce reflectance.

As UDC technology becomes more mature through software and hardware design optimization, it is expected to spread from foldable phones to medium-sized displays such as tablets and laptops, beyond mobile. The era of the “invisible camera” for a full-screen experience is just around the corner.

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

▶2025 OLED Component and Materials Report

Entrance of the 26th China International Optoelectronic Expo highlighting Micro LED AR showcases

At the China CIOE Optoelectronics Exhibition, JBD, Goeroptics, and other companies unveiled new AR products using Micro-LEDs

The 26th China International Optoelectronics Exhibition (CIOE) opened at the Shenzhen International Convention Center on September 10, 2025. This expo, the world’s largest, attracted over 3,800 participating companies. The exhibition focused on “IC Design and Application,” “IC Manufacturing and Supply Chain,” and “Compound Semiconductors,” with participation from companies in key fields such as semiconductor materials, advanced processes, packaging testing, and optoelectronic chips.

Entrance of the 26th China International Optoelectronic Expo (CIOE) (Source: UBI Research)

Entrance view of the 26th China International Optoelectronic Expo (CIOE) (Source: UBI Research)

At this exhibition, new products for AR using Micro-LEDs were unveiled, including from JBD and Goeroptics.

JBD’s new 0.1-inch Micro LED light engine (Source: UBI Research)

JBD’s exhibited new product, 0.1-inch Micro-LED light engine (Source: UBI Research)

JBD showcased its latest products, including a 0.1-inch Micro-LED microdisplay and the Hummingbird II color light engine. The X-Cube structure achieved an ultra-compact size of 0.2cc and an ultra-light weight of 0.5g. Goeroptics showcased a product utilizing Micro-LED full color (X-cube) and silicon carbide etched light guide technology, achieving a 30° field of view and a weight of 4g.

Across the board, companies achieved breakthroughs in various technologies, including three-color combination, color conversion, and vertical stacking. Amidst the trend toward lightweight design, the “Micro-LED + light waveguide” solution has become a relatively mainstream technology. The exhibited products show that the size of Micro-LED light engines is gradually shrinking from 0.13 inches to 0.1 inches and even 0.06 inches, demonstrating the rapid advancement of this technology toward smaller volumes and higher brightness.

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

▶2025 Micro-LED Display Industry and Technology Trends Report

Foldable and Rollable Cover Window Market Projection Chart 2025–2029

UTG Expansion, CPI Decline… Foldable & Rollable Cover Window Market to Surpass USD 700 Million by 2029

Transformable Display Cover Window Market Forecast 2025–2029 (Source: UBI Research)

Transformable Display Cover Window Market Forecast, 2025–2029 (Source: UBI Research)

According to the recently published “2025 OLED Component and Materials Report” by UBI Research, the market for cover windows used in foldable and rollable OLED devices is projected to exceed USD 700 million by 2029.

The report forecasts that the overall OLED components and materials market will grow from USD 17.2 billion in 2025 to USD 20.2 billion by 2029, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4%. Within this, the mobile device segment is expected to expand from USD 16.2 billion to USD 18.7 billion, continuing to drive the overall market. Meanwhile, the OLED TV components and materials market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.5%, reaching USD 1.5 billion by 2029.

Among these segments, the growth of the cover window market for foldable and rollable devices is particularly notable. In terms of volume, demand is expected to rise from 30.3 million units in 2025 to 70.7 million units by 2029. In revenue terms, the market is forecast to expand from USD 320 million to USD 726 million over the same period. For these devices, UTG (Ultra Thin Glass) and CPI (Color-less PI) are the primary cover window materials, with UTG adoption steadily increasing while CPI demand continues to decline.

Changho Noh, Senior Analyst at UBI Research, stated: “With Apple’s foldable smartphone launch now on the horizon, the foldable market is rapidly expanding. At the same time, new form factors such as Slidable, Rollable, and Tri-Fold devices are emerging, which will further accelerate the growth of components and materials markets for foldable and rollable devices.”

UBI Research emphasized that this report provides crucial insights into the OLED components and materials industry, which is evolving around the key themes of high functionality, slim form factor, diversification, internalization, and new manufacturing processes—all of which are critical for shaping the future strategies of the global display industry.

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

▶2025 OLED Component and Materials Report

BOE begins supplying LTPO panels for iPhone 17 Pro, highlighting UBI Research seminar insights (Source: UBI Research)

BOE Begins Supplying LTPO Panels for iPhone 17 Pro…UBI Research Highlights Intensifying Price Pressure

Seminar presentation on BOE iPhone 17 Pro LTPO panel supply (Source: UBI Research)

BOE iPhone 17 Pro LTPO panel supply presented at UBI Research seminar (Source: UBI Research)

At the “2026 Display Strategy Seminar,” UBI Research analyst Junho Kim stated, “China’s BOE has started supplying LTPO OLED panels for the iPhone 17 Pro from August 2025, expanding its position as a supplier within Apple’s premium lineup.”

According to Analyst Junho Kim, BOE first entered Apple’s supply chain in 2021 with refurbished panels and has since supplied panels for the iPhone 12 through iPhone 16, primarily for standard models. Shipments increased from 18.7 million units in 2021 to 32 million in 2022, 41 million in 2023, and 43 million in 2024. In the first half of 2025 alone, BOE already shipped 23 million units, with full-year shipments projected to reach around 50 million units.

The supply of panels for the iPhone 17 Pro has been confirmed, but the situation differs for the iPhone 17 standard model. Certification schedules have been delayed, making mass production within the year unlikely. However, Apple has recently requested re-verification, leaving room for potential cooperation. Junho Kim added, “From 2026, the iPhone 18 series will adopt next-generation LTPO processes. Whether BOE can continue supplying will depend on yield performance, technological compatibility, and Apple’s stringent quality standards.”

Despite BOE’s expanding role in Apple’s supply chain, panel prices have continued to decline. The unit price peaked at around $55 during the iPhone 13 series but has fallen each year, reaching $40 for the iPhone 17 Pro LTPO panel—the lowest level to date. Junho Kim analyzed, “The fact that even high-complexity LTPO panels are being supplied at historically low prices underscores Apple’s strong bargaining power. Not only Samsung Display and LG Display but also BOE are under significant pricing pressure from Apple.”

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

▶ China Market Trend Report Inquiry

Competition between LEDoS and LCoS microdisplays for AR smart glasses (Source: UBI Research)

Competition for Microdisplays in AR Glasses: Who Will Prevail Between LEDoS and LCoS?

The convergence of AI and AR technology advancements has led to a growing trend of AI/AR glasses being released, continuing from last year into the present. Meta is expected to announce its next-generation product, the ‘Hypernova’ smart glasses (Meta Celeste), at the Meta Connect 2025 conference scheduled for the 17th of this month (US time), drawing significant attention. Rumors suggest the display applied to the glasses will be an LCoS microdisplay panel. It is speculated that it will be a small, lightweight monocular HUD application, likely using a common LCoS 720×720 resolution product. It’s also speculated that the choice was influenced by the fact that implementing color with LEDoS panels requires using RGB mono panels in a cubic configuration, and Meta relies on the Chinese supplier JBD as the primary provider.

Last July in Shanghai, Alibaba Group unveiled its first AI glasses, the Quark glasses. They are targeting a launch within China by the end of the year. Regarding the display and optics, it was reported to use a monochrome (green) Micro-LED + waveguide structure, with JBD mentioned as the supplier. This product is a Micro-LED AR glass focused on HUD/information display, known for its design prioritizing outdoor readability, low power consumption, and lightweight characteristics. Additionally, Rokid’s smart glasses also employ mono Micro-LED + diffractive waveguides in both left and right lenses. Rokid announced that its smart glasses surpassed 40,000 units sold within just five days of starting online pre-orders on September 1st. China currently holds significant expectations for AI/AR smart glasses, with many companies adopting domestically produced LEDoS panels.

Competition between LEDoS and LCoS microdisplays is expected to continue in AR glasses. At the UBI Research Display Strategy Seminar held on September 5, a comparison of the competitiveness and outlook for LEDoS and LCoS was presented.

Comparison of near-eye headsets and glasses using LCoS (Source: UBI Research)

Comparison of near-eye headsets/glasses with LCoS (Source: UBI Research)

Comparison of AR smart glasses using LEDoS (Source: UBI Research)

Comparison of AR glasses using LEDoS (Source: UBI Research)

According to comparative analysis, for AR smart glasses targeting information display (HUD), translation, and interactive functions via displays with resolutions of 2VGA or 1080p and below, micro-LED-applied glasses were judged to be highly competitive in terms of form factor, power consumption, contrast, and image quality. For future immersive AR headsets and glasses products around 2K resolution, mutual competition is anticipated as each technology compensates for the other’s shortcomings. Smart glasses set manufacturers are expected to choose micro-displays based on price, strategic partnerships, or supply chain considerations. Ultimately, through the continued advancement of LEDoS technology, the adoption of small, lightweight, high-quality LEDoS panels is projected to expand within a few years.

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

▶2025 Micro-LED Display Industry and Technology Trends Report

UBI Research forecast of OLED components and materials market growth to $20.2 billion by 2029

OLED Components and Materials Market to Grow to $20.2 Billion by 2029

Forecast of top 20 OLED components and materials market (Source: UBI Research)

Market forecast for top 20 OLED components and materials (Source: UBI Research)

UBI Research has released the “2025 OLED Components and Materials Report”. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of key components and material technologies and markets in response to the expanding demand for OLEDs in smartphones, foldable phones, tablets, laptops, TVs, and automotive displays.

The report systematically forecasts OLED shipments from 2025 to 2029, and the market size and usage of 20 major components and materials (Substrate, TFT, Encapsulation, Touch Sensor, Polarizer, Adhesive, Cover Window, Driver IC & COF, Composite Sheet, Process Film, etc). The report also presents an evolutionary roadmap from currently commercialized technologies such as MLA, COE, LTPO, Oxide TFT, ultra-thin glass, and TFE to next-generation materials for next-generation XR-AR and stretchable devices.

According to the report, the OLED components and materials market is expected to be worth approximately $17.2 billion in 2025, growing at a CAGR of 4% to reach approximately $20.2 billion by 2029. In particular, the market for components and materials for mobile devices will lead the overall market, growing from $16.2 billion in 2025 to $18.7 billion in 2029. The market for OLED components and materials for TVs is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.5% to reach $1.5 billion in 2029.

In particular, the report provides an in-depth analysis of the major developments in OLED component materials, including OLED panel structures, component materials for foldable and rollerable devices, Color Filter on Encapsulation (COE) and Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG), internal and external hinges (CFRP, metal plate, GMF), protective films, Shear Thickening Fluid (STF), light efficiency enhancement materials (Micro Lens Array), encapsulation technology, QD and Oxide TFT, adhesive and heat dissipation materials, substrates, and metal masks.

This report will be an important resource for understanding the investment direction and supply chain strategies of global panel and set companies, focusing on the keywords of “ultra-high functionality, slimness, form factor diversification, In-house production, and new processes” in the OLED component and material industry.

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

▶2025 OLED Components and Materials Report

Automotive Mini LED display adoption expanding with OLED competition

Expanding the application area of Mini LED for vehicle displays

The automotive display market has been rapidly changing in recent years, and Mini LED technology is at the center of this transformation. While some premium brands are embracing OLED for its design freedom and black expression, the overall trend is leaning toward Mini LED, which boasts price competitiveness, durability, and high brightness. Automotive environments require visibility even under direct sunlight and stability under extended use and high temperatures. Mini LED’s long lifespan and high reliability make it ideal for manufacturers to incorporate into mass-produced models.

Automotive display shipment forecast by technology – Mini LED vs OLED (Source: UBI Research)

Automotive display shipment forecast by technology (Source: UBI Research)

According to the “Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trend Analysis Report” published by UBI Research this year, shipments of Mini LED displays for vehicles are expected to increase significantly, from approximately 1.5 million units in 2023 to over 16 million units in 2030. During the same period, OLED is expected to maintain stable growth and provide differentiated value, particularly for premium brands. This suggests that OLED will establish itself as a premium, brand differentiation, and high-end image, while Mini LED, armed with stability and cost-effectiveness, will expand to mass-market models in the mid- to high-end segment.

List of automotive display models applying Mini LED technology (Source: UBI Research)

Automotive models with Mini LED display applications (Source: UBI Research)

For example, Cadillac will equip its 2022 electric SUV Lyriq with a 33-inch Mini LED display, and Lincoln will apply a 48-inch panoramic structure (23.6-inch dual 4K UHD Mini LED) to its new Navigator in 2023. The 2024 Xiaomi SU7 will introduce a 16.1-inch Mini LED CID, and the Sony-Honda joint venture Afeela, scheduled for release in 2026, will feature a 45-inch panoramic display and a 55-inch auxiliary display, suggesting the direction of next-generation electric vehicle interiors.

UBI Research Executive Vice President Changwook Han predicted, “In the automotive display market, Mini LED and OLED will continue to compete in some areas, but at the same time, Mini LED will expand its application to the general public, while OLED will maintain differentiated value in the premium segment.”

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

▶2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis Report

Global iPhone OLED panel supply forecast for 2026 by Samsung Display, LG Display, and BOE (Source: UBI Research)

2026 iPhone Panel Supply Outlook – Samsung Expands Foldable, LG Targets Bar-Type, BOE Aims to Prove Technology and Expand Supply

iPhone OLED panel supply forecast – Samsung, LG, BOE shipment volumes 2026 (Source: UBI Research)

iPhone OLED panel supply forecast 2026 (K pcs) (Source: UBI Research)

As the launch of the iPhone 17 series approaches, Samsung Display, LG Display, and BOE are accelerating their efforts in iPhone panel production. Samsung Display and LG Display are maintaining steady growth, while China’s BOE is seeking to expand its market share by supplying panels for the Pro models.

Samsung Display shipped 63.8 million units for the iPhone 16 series in 2024, with total iPhone shipments reaching 124 million units. In 2025, shipments for the iPhone 17 series are expected to rise to 78 million units, with total shipments projected at 125 million units. Leveraging stable quality and large-scale production capacity, Samsung is expected to firmly maintain its position as Apple’s largest panel supplier.

LG Display supplied 42 million panels for the iPhone 16 series in 2024, with total shipments reaching 67.42 million units. In 2025, these numbers are expected to increase to 45.6 million units for the iPhone 17 series and 75.1 million units in total. LG Display continues to solidify its standing as the second-largest supplier after Samsung, while also distinguishing itself in the high-end LTPO panel segment.

China’s BOE has secured LTPO production capacity (30K per month) at its Mianyang B11 line and began production of panels for the iPhone 17 Pro in 2025. Although BOE managed to supply panels for the iPhone 16 Normal model in 2024, initial setbacks limited its shipments to just 6.6 million units. Total shipments stood at 43 million units, with 2025 projections ranging between 45–50 million units, including approximately 5 million units for the iPhone 17 Pro.

2026 Outlook – All Three to Remain Core Suppliers

According to UBI Research’s Q3 Display Market Tracker, Samsung Display, LG Display, and BOE are all expected to remain Apple’s core panel suppliers in 2026. According to the 2026 outlook, Samsung Display is expected to supply around 120 million panels and LG Display about 85 million panels, continuing to provide a stable supply for all iPhone series. In particular, Samsung Display is projected to deliver approximately 10 million panels for the foldable iPhone in 2026, while LG Display is likely to secure additional orders for bar-type smartphones. BOE is also forecasted to ship around 55 million units, intensifying competition in the global OLED smartphone panel market.

Changwook Han, Executive Vice President of UBI Research, stated, “While Samsung and LG Display continue to lead the market with stable quality and supply capabilities, BOE is attempting to validate both its technology and reliability through its entry into the Pro models. Going forward, the technological competition and allocation of volumes among the three companies will become a critical factor in the global smartphone panel market.”

He added, “Particularly from 2026, as the launch schedule for the iPhone Normal models shifts to the first half of the following year, the global smartphone panel market is expected to enter a more fluid phase, making the strategic moves of the major suppliers a key focal point for the industry.”

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

▶ Quarterly Small OLED Display Market Tracker Sample

▶Quarterly Medium & Large OLED Display Market Tracker Sample

TCL CSOT announces 8th generation inkjet OLED investment plan at K-Display 2025, highlighting Panasonic printing equipment

TCL CSOT to announce investment in 8th generation OLED inkjet production line soon_ Inkjet printing equipment expected to be supplied by Panasonic

TCL CSOT showcases 8th generation inkjet OLED technology and breakthroughs at K-Display 2025

TCL CSOT’s latest inkjet OLED technology presentation at K-Display 2025 (Source: TCL CSOT)

At the business forum of K-Display 2025, held from August 6-9, China’s TCL CSOT said it will announce its investment plans for an eighth-generation inkjet OLED production line. The project, dubbed the “T8 Project,” is planned to begin trial production in June 2027, with equipment delivery targeted for September 2026. The initial production capacity is expected to be 15,000 sheets per month in the first phase. The investment is seen as a significant move to challenge the dominant position of South Korean companies in the large OLED panel market.

 The Inkjet Printing method adopted by TCL CSOT has a number of advantages over the Vacuum Deposition method currently used for large OLED production.

  • Cost and energy efficiency: The process can be completed in a low vacuum environment, significantly reducing equipment costs and energy consumption.
  • Material utilization: Since the organic material is ‘printed’ directly onto the substrate, there is less material waste, resulting in high material utilization.
  • Large substrate production efficiency: It is especially economical for large TV panels such as 65-inch and 77-inch.

One of the main technical challenges with inkjet OLEDs has been the lifetime of blue OLEDs, but TCL CSOT has made significant improvements. The company says its blue lifetime, which was just 40 hours in 2020, is now 400 hours, a tenfold improvement. In addition, the resolution has exceeded 350 PPI, which can meet the needs of high-performance tablets and laptops; the aperture ratio has been increased to three times that of conventional FMM (Fine Metal Mask) OLEDs to reduce power consumption; and the size of blue subpixels has been reduced to be similar to red and green, improving display quality.

Meanwhile, the printing equipment for the 8th generation OLED inkjet line is likely to come from Panasonic Production Engineering. Panasonic Production Engineering announced at SID 2025 that it has developed an 8.5-generation machine with a 1 pL (picoliter) inkjet head and 350 ppi resolution. The machine achieved an accuracy of 4.6 µm, exceeding the target accuracy of 5.8 µm, demonstrating the possibility of stable mass production of large substrates. The expected equipment configuration will consist of a Hole Injection Layer, Hole Transport Layer, and printing equipment for RGB pixel printing, as well as equipment for tandem OLEDs.  Panasonic’s equipment enables the production of high-resolution displays through high-frequency jetting (20 kHz) and droplet volume control as fine as 1.0 pL, which are key technologies for improving the productivity of the inkjet process. The company also reports that production stability is enhanced through a sophisticated system that compensates for thermal deformation and micro-alignment errors.

Inkjet OLED technology still has many challenges to overcome. While current technology has improved device lifetime, there is ongoing debate about whether it has achieved sufficient lifetime for commercialization. There are also limitations that make it difficult to implement tandem structures for high brightness and low power consumption. These challenges are directly related to the yield of the production line and require continuous technology development for successful mass production of inkjet. Nevertheless, TCL CSOT’s technological advancements show that inkjet OLEDs are getting closer to reality.

If TCL CSOT’s eighth-generation inkjet OLED investment materializes, it will pose a direct challenge to the mid- to large-sized OLED market dominated by South Korea’s Samsung Display and LG Display. Currently, these two companies rely on a costly vacuum deposition process, which keeps OLED TV prices high. Mass production using inkjet technology can bring cost competitiveness, which will significantly reduce the price of OLED TVs and increase market penetration. Furthermore, the technology is expected to impact not only the TV market, but also the laptop, tablets, and professional monitor markets. Inkjet technology can become an important steppingstone for China’s display industry to secure technological leadership in the OLED field, following LCD.

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

▶ China Market Trend Report Inquiry

RGB Mini LED TV market trend showing Samsung, Hisense, and Sony’s premium large-screen competition

Will RGB Mini LED Be a Game Changer in the Premium TV Market?

A new competitive landscape is forming in the premium TV market. Samsung Electronics, Hisense, and Sony are competing to launch RGB Mini LED TVs, challenging the OLED-dominated market. While existing QD-Mini LEDs employ an indirect color conversion method using blue and white LEDs, RGB Mini LEDs directly emit red, green, and blue (RGB) LEDs. This allows them to achieve over 90% of the BT.2020 color gamut, deliver ultra-high brightness of 4,000-8,000 nits, and minimize blooming. They are particularly noteworthy for their ability to maintain stable color depth and brightness even on ultra-large screens.

Trends by Major Manufacturers

Samsung Electronics 115-inch RGB Micro LED TV, premium large display

Samsung Electronics 115-inch RGB Micro LED TV (Source: Samsung Electronics)

  • Samsung Electronics launched a 115-inch RGB Micro LED TV in August 2025, marking its full-scale foray into the ultra-large-screen market. By utilizing 90μm micro RGB LEDs and CSOT’s LCD panel, the company achieved both large-screen size and mass production, while also achieving 100% BT.2020 color gamut and high brightness. The company also announced the expansion of its 75-inch, 85-inch, and 98-inch lineups.
Hisense 116-inch RGB Mini LED TV, ultra-bright premium TV

Hisense 116-inch RGB Mini LED TV (Source: Hisense)

  • Hisense unveiled a 116-inch RGB Mini LED TV at CES 2025. It features 15,680-point precision control using the H7 AI chip and proprietary algorithms, and uses RGB LED chips from Qianzhao Optoelectronics to improve efficiency and lifespan. Hisense then entered the ultra-large market in March with the mass production of its flagship UX series.
  • Sony unveiled a 75-inch RGB Mini LED prototype at CES 2025. It boasts 32,000 RGB bubbles and 4,000 dimming zones, achieving twice the precision of conventional displays. It also boasts 66-bit backlight control and 30-bit signal processing, delivering picture quality approaching OLED. The Bravia 10 will be officially unveiled at IFA 2025.

Impact on OLED TVs

OLED TVs still possess strengths in black expression, design flexibility, and gaming-optimized performance thanks to self-illuminating pixels. However, brightness limitations and the inability to scale to larger sizes are pointed out as drawbacks. RGB Mini LED TVs can maintain color accuracy and high brightness even on ultra-large screens, threatening OLED’s dominance in the 100-inch and larger market.

Over the next five years, OLED is likely to remain competitive in the mid- to large-sized market, ranging from 55 to 77 inches. However, if RGB Mini LED achieves cost competitiveness in the 75 to 85-inch range, OLED will significantly impact its market share.

Future Strategic Challenges for OLED

For OLED to expand its presence in the premium market (75 inches and below), cost reduction is paramount. At the same time, OLED’s unique strengths –

  • exceptional black characteristics,
  • excellent color gamut at low grayscale levels,
  • natural color gradation

– must be emphasized as marketing points. By reducing costs and establishing a distinct value proposition over RGB Mini LED through differentiated image quality, OLED will remain a key player in the premium TV market.

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

▶2025 Micro-LED Display Industry and Technology Trends Report

JBD, Completes Pre-B Round Financing, Plans to Fully Advance Consumer AR Ecosystem Development

JBD MicroLED-based AR glasses display structure

JBD MicroLED AR glasses display structure (Source: JBD)

Shanghai JBD Company announced on August 21 that it has successfully completed a B1 round of investment worth hundreds of millions of yuan. The funds from this round of investment will primarily be used for research and development of core technologies in MicroLED micro-displays, expanding production capacity, and deepening ecosystem collaborations. This initiative aims to address the anticipated surge in global demand for AR+AI devices in the coming years.

With the accelerated application of AI, the deep integration of AI and AR is expected to bring new experiences in human-machine interaction and emerge as a core area of competition among global technology giants. As a leader in MicroLED micro-display technology, JBD aims to collaborate with partners to drive the upgrade of the AR industry and build an open and collaborative consumer AR ecosystem. 

MicroLED micro-display technology is widely recognized as the next-generation solution for AR glasses displays. The recently completed funding will significantly strengthen JBD’s research and development capabilities and production capacity, accelerating the widespread adoption of MicroLED micro-display technology in the AR display sector. This is expected to further expand JBD’s influence in the global AR micro-display industry.

JBD, established in 2015, is a leading player in the MicroLED micro-display field, aiming to become a leading provider of AR display solutions. Over the past year, JBD has achieved significant results in various areas, including market expansion, product upgrades, and technological innovation. In terms of the market, there are currently about 50 smart glasses products using JBD’s MicroLED micro-display technology, recording rapid growth compared to the same period last year. Key products include Rokid Glasses, INMO GO2, Rayeo X3 Pro, and Alibaba Quark AI glasses, among other well-known Chinese brands. In terms of products, the ‘Hummingbird Mini II’ monochrome light engine launched last year features an ultra-compact size of 0.15 cc. Additionally, the new ‘Hummingbird I’ color optical module achieves a brightness of 6,000 nits. JBD’s upcoming ‘Hummingbird II’ color light engine is expected to become the industry’s first consumer-grade lightweight AR glasses-compatible color display solution.

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

▶2025 Micro-LED Display Industry and Technology Trends Report

LG Display keynote at IMID 2025 on cognitive display interface with AI

[IMID 2025] LG Display Presents Future Direction of Next-Generation Displays Connecting AI and Humans

LG Display presentation at IMID 2025 on display requirements in the AI Interface Era

LG Display keynote at IMID 2025, “Display Requirements in the AI Interface Era” (Source: LG Display)

At IMID 2025, held from August 19 to 22, LG Display delivered a keynote speech on “Beyond Screen: Display as Cognitive Interface.”

Displays are rapidly evolving beyond simple tools for showing information into gateways for communication between humans and artificial intelligence (AI). In his keynote speech at IMID 2025, Choi Hyun-chul, Executive Vice President of LG Display, emphasized, “The advancement of AI is transforming displays from mere visual output devices into cognitive interfaces that understand human emotions and intentions.”

Executive Vice President Choi presented three key pillars in the AI Interface Era: User Interface, Spatial Structure, and AI Sustainability.

First, User Interface—an innovation in input methods. Displays are moving beyond button- and touchscreen-based controls toward AI-driven interfaces that recognize and interpret nonverbal signals such as gaze, gestures, and facial expressions.

Second, Spatial Structure—an innovation in form. With the advent of foldable, stretchable, and transparent displays, as well as AR/VR-based mixed reality (MR) technologies, screens are no longer confined to fixed rectangular shapes.

Third, AI Sustainability. Choi stressed that such advancements must proceed in an ethical and sustainable manner. Privacy protection, energy efficiency, eco-friendly materials, and responsible manufacturing processes are essential prerequisites for displays to be established as responsible technologies.

He concluded, “In the AI era, displays will go beyond simple screens to become new interfaces where humans and machines mutually understand and connect,” outlining the technical requirements and developmental directions that future displays should pursue.

In addition to delivering the keynote speech, LG Display also received the Display of the Year Award at IMID 2025 and showcased a wide range of OLED products at the BEXCO exhibition hall.

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

▶UBI Research’s Display Reports

SIDTEK presenting the current status and challenges of China OLEDoS industry at K-Display 2025

SIDTEK Unveils Vertical Integration Strategy for OLEDoS Mass Production and Manufacturing Process at K-Display 2025

SIDTEK presenting the current status and challenges of China OLEDoS industry at K-Display 2025

SIDTEK presenting China OLEDoS industry status and challenges at K-Display 2025 (Source: SIDTEK)

At the business forum of K-Display 2025, held from August 6-9, China’s SIDTEK discloses OLEDoS mass production status and future expansion strategy. In addition to announcing the start of mass production at its Wuhu facility, SIDTEK also announced that it has completed the groundbreaking of an additional factory and is preparing for a third facility. Amidst active competition from local governments to build OLEDoS mass production plants, SIDTEK has made it clear that its business progress in China should be based on “breaking ground and bringing in equipment” rather than announcing “contracts,” and plans to rapidly expand its production base with multi-base operations.

The pace of expansion in the Chinese ecosystem is also accelerating. SIDTEK explains that it has formed a “three-company simultaneous mass production” structure with BOE and SEEYA. Goertek, a set company, is also reportedly looking into the possibility of investing in the deposition process to directly control the display, which is the key to VR costs. The combination of these moves could lead to a production capacity scenario of tens of thousands of sheets per month for 12-inch in the medium term. The strategy is to use the power of scale to lower costs and speed up development capacity.

The speaker posed the question, “If OLEDoS is such good technology, why aren’t there any buyers around?” He emphasized the realism that large-scale facility investment should be judged by production volume, which is “can it be sold like a cell phone,” and that from a manufacturing perspective, demand validation and profitability should come first.

In-house design of backplane semiconductors was presented as a key solution to low yields that affect production prices. The diagnosis is that the low yield of Micro-OLEDs is not only due to technical difficulties, but also to unclear responsibility for defects that occur in the structure where the backplane (semiconductor) and panel are separated, and delays in improvement. “We need to bring the semiconductor inside and close the defect analysis and improvement loop,” SIDTEK emphasized. In China, vertical integration is spreading across the industry, with SEEYA investing in the wafer stage to optimize integration, and BOE preparing to enter the market with existing line capacity.

The product and market strategy is focused on “lightweight AR” in the near term. The speaker is skeptical of the “full screen all the time with glasses” scenario and predicts that AR will first be popularized for simple information such as navigation and notifications. As a result, optimizing backplane chips (BPICs) and optics, focusing on power consumption, visibility, and uniformity, rather than racing to ultra-high resolutions, is a challenge. Balancing realistic price points and ease of use will be key to early adoption, he said.

Judgments were also shared on the display technology axis. In VR, fast LCD, glass-based OLED, and OLEDoS are competing, with glass-based OLED, with its size scalability and optical simplification advantages, likely to emerge in the low-end and entry-level segments, while OLEDoS will share the role at the high-end. In the AR, the view was that LCoS, OLEDoS, and LEDoS will coexist, but that the volatility of the OLEDoS position should be noted, leaving open the possibility of a shift to LEDoS if ultra-high resolution is not a requirement.

During the on-site discussion, it was suggested that “VR devices have the potential to become widespread if lightweight and convenient designs can be achieved,” and that AI-based image processing combined with interaction will serve as a catalyst for this development.

SIDTEK’s announcement reaffirms its realist strategy centered on “real mass production factories” and “securing profitability”. The company plans to build credibility with multi-location mass production, speed up learning to improve production yield and defects with in-house design of backplane semiconductors, and open up the market with design and process optimization tailored to the lightweight AR segment, where near-term demand is gathering. Despite demand uncertainty in China, SIDTEK is responding with a conservative, execution-focused expansion strategy, as government-led investments and vertical integration among companies continue to drive the “game of scale” in the country.

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

▶UBI Research’s Micro Display Reports

LG Electronics and LG Display strengthen collaboration on LTPS-based Micro-LED signage

LG Electronics and LG Display Strengthen Collaboration on LTPS-Based Micro-LED Signage

LG Electronics is transitioning its Micro-LED signage products from conventional printed circuit boards (PCBs) to glass-based low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) thin-film transistors (TFTs), and LG Display is partnering with the company. LTPS’s high electron mobility allows for the integration of per-pixel driving circuitry within the panel, reducing signal delays and wiring complexity and significantly improving performance and efficiency compared to PCBs.

LG Display is currently developing a 22.3-inch Micro-LED module. This module features a resolution of 480×540, a pixel pitch of 0.783mm, a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1, and a bezel thickness of 1.94mm. Connecting 32 modules creates a 136-inch signage. The chip size is less than 50㎛, and a similar product was previously showcased at the previous K-Display exhibition. LG Electronics plans to utilize this module to expand its premium signage lineup. Micro-LED signage is better suited for large commercial displays than consumer TVs due to its high-precision, high-cost process. The signage market prioritizes image quality, durability, and brightness, allowing for the adoption of high-end equipment. The modular structure facilitates flexible expansion of size and resolution. Conversely, consumer TVs in the 55- to 75-inch range are price-sensitive, posing a high barrier to entry. Consequently, LG is maintaining its OLED TV expansion strategy while focusing on commercial applications such as video walls and billboards for Micro-LED.

As a panel manufacturer, LG Display utilizes existing TFT lines to manufacture Micro-LED TFT substrates. According to a published patent, the company has established a process that covers transferred LED chips with an organic insulating film, forms contact holes in the electrodes, and then deposits metal wires to electrically connect the chips and TFT substrates. Leveraging its experience in AMOLED manufacturing, LG Display has secured line switching efficiency and process reliability. LG Electronics is responsible for all aspects of final quality control, including finished product manufacturing, image quality correction, and compensation for defective pixels and color differences, ensuring brand reliability.

LG Electronics and LG Display Micro-LED manufacturing process and cross-sectional structure (LTPS-based TFT substrate)

Micro-LED manufacturing process and cross-sectional structure introduced in LG Display’s patent. (Source: LG Display)

LG Display demonstrated its Micro-LED tiling technology at SID 2025 and K-Display. The demonstration highlighted the scalability of large displays by separating and integrating two 22-inch modules, enabling a 136-inch 4K display in an 8×4 configuration.

According to the strategy announced last year, LG Electronics will focus on premium signage and fine-pitch LED displays in its business solutions segment. Its flagship product, the “MAGNIT” Micro-LED, has nearly doubled its annual sales since its launch in 2020, but its market size remains limited. In 2023, the company will launch the 118-inch 4K 120Hz MAGNIT (0.6mm pixel pitch) for home use at $237,000, targeting the ultra-high-end premium market.

The industry expects LG Electronics to prioritize its OLED TV business while pursuing mid- to long-term expansion of Micro-LED, focusing on commercial displays. The transition to LTPS is a key pillar of this strategy and is expected to serve as a springboard for conquering the high-performance, high-reliability signage market.

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

▶2025 Micro-LED Display Industry and Technology Trends Report

Tianma Unveils Automotive Micro-LED Technology and Industrialization Strategy at DIC Forum 2025

Tianma Micro-LED development achievements roadmap (2017–2026), automotive display applications and industrialization strategy

Tianma’s roadmap of Micro-LED development achievements (2017–2026), including automotive display applications and industrialization strategy. Source: Tianma

At DIC Forum 2025, Tianma presented its Micro-LED technology development achievements under the theme of “Micro-LED Display – A New Opportunity for In-Vehicle Displays,” including a roadmap from 2017 to 2026 and the status of development and production establishment.

The Research phase, spanning from 2017 to 2019, involved basic research and technology verification. This phase focused on the basic design and testing of Micro-LED-based display technology, rather than specific commercial products.

The Technology Launch phase, spanning from 2019 to 2020, showcased a 7.56-inch 60% transparent screen, a 7.56-inch R50 curved flexible screen, a 5-inch Micro-LED + E-paper dual display, and a 5.04-inch dual-module display. This phase represented the initial commercial prototype stage, which included prototypes of various small displays, including transparent, curved, and E-paper combinations.

The Performance Improvement phase, spanning from 2021 to 2022, saw the development of an 11.6-inch 228ppi CID, a 9.38-inch 70% transparent screen, a 7.56-inch foldable screen, and a 5.06-inch small display. Performance improvements for practical use, such as resolution enhancements, transparency enhancements, and foldable display applications, were focused on.

The Application Expansion phase, spanning 2023-2024, showcased an 8.07-inch automotive free-form display, a 9.38-inch display with adjustable transparency of 0.1~24%, a 1.63-inch 403ppi ultra-high-resolution small display, and a 5.84-inch standard screen. This expanded the technology to diverse applications, including automotive, home appliance, and special-purpose applications, and commercialized ultra-high-resolution small panels with adjustable transparency.

The Industrialization phase, spanning 2024-2026, aims to establish a large-scale mass production system and expand the supply of commercial products. This phase will focus on increasing technological maturity and standardizing and mass-producing products for use across a wide range of industries.

Tianma Establishes Micro-LED Production Line

In 2022, Tianma established “Tianma New Display Technology Research Institute (Xiamen) Co., Ltd.” in Xiamen with a local partner. Leveraging its LTPS TFT backplane technology, Tianma is building a full-process Micro-LED production line, from mass transfer to display modules, located in Xiamen. Upon completion, Tianma will possess full-process capabilities for Micro-LED display modules.

Tianma’s Micro-LED production line utilizes its own core processes and, in a global market lacking mature technologies, provides customized, fully automated 3.5th generation mass transfer and bonding equipment. During the production line construction process, Tianma and upstream and downstream supply chain companies jointly developed over 30 types of mass production equipment and materials for the first time.

Leveraging its LTPS technology advantages and long-term R&D investment, and based on its full-process 3.5th generation Micro-LED production line, Tianma has developed cutting-edge display technologies with broad applications in automotive, video wall, and transparent display applications.

Tianma Micro-LED Industry Cooperation

Tianma held the Micro-LED Ecosystem Alliance Conference in Xiamen in December 2021 and announced the establishment of a Micro-LED industry chain. In 2022, it established a Micro-LED research institute and production line, integrated the Hubei Changxian experimental line, and established a Micro-LED multi-project development platform, fostering a virtuous cycle of internal innovation and development.

Tianma also continues to play a leading role in the industry chain, jointly releasing two group standards from 2023 to 2024 and spearheading the compilation of the FTS Mini/Micro LED Annual Technical Report. Currently, the production line is operating normally, and Tianma is expanding its technological competitiveness and market influence in the Micro-LED field.

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

▶2025 Micro-LED Display Industry and Technology Trends Report

LG Display presents OLED innovation and future display vision at “K-Display 2025.”

LG Display participated in ‘K-Display 2025’ held at COEX in Seoul for three days starting on the 7th, and unveiled a wide range of innovative display technologies and products covering large, small, and automotive displays. The theme of this exhibition is ‘Shaping the Future’, and OLED innovations and various display solutions that connect the present and the future were showcased. In addition, a space where visitors can experience the world’s first and highest-spec technology was created to enhance their understanding. LG Display organized the ‘OLED Heritage’ exhibition space so that the technological development process since the world’s first successful mass production of large-size OLEDs can be seen at a glance. Starting with the 15-inch OLED prototype in 2009, the development stages were intuitively introduced through models, starting with the tandem OLED two-layer structure, the second-generation OLED using the deuterium atomic structure, the third-generation OLED using micro lens array (MLA) technology, and the fourth-generation OLED using the primary RGB tandem structure, which stacks the three primary colors of light in independent layers. At the booth entrance, an 83-inch OLED panel utilizing 4th-generation OLED technology greeted visitors. This panel, an industry first, utilizes Primary RGB Tandem technology, which independently layers each RGB color, achieving a maximum brightness of 4,000 nits. A large-scale panel comparison demonstration showcased its outstanding color reproducibility and three-dimensionality.

LG Display 83-inch 4th generation OLED panel showcased

83-inch panel with LG Display’s 4th generation OLED (Source: LG Display)

The 27-inch QHD OLED monitor panel aimed at the gaming market can implement up to 720Hz (HD) with DFR (Dynamic Frequency & Resolution) technology, and boasts the highest level of picture quality among OLED monitors with DCI-P3 99.5% color reproducibility and maximum brightness of 1,500 nits. A 45-inch 5K2K OLED panel, which provides the highest resolution among existing OLED monitors, was also on display, allowing visitors to experience its performance while playing games. In the field of automotive displays, the SDV (Software-Driven Vehicle) concept car targeting the era of fully autonomous driving was exhibited. This vehicle is equipped with the largest 57-inch pillar-to-pillar LCD to date, which provides integrated driver information and entertainment on a curved screen that runs across the dashboard. A variety of automotive solutions were also unveiled, including a 32.6-inch slider OLED, a 29-inch ultra-high-brightness outdoor LCD, and a 47.8-inch LTPS LCD with SPM (Switchable Privacy Mode) technology that hides the passenger screen from the driver’s seat.

LG Display 57-inch pillar-to-pillar automotive LCD display

57-inch pillar-to-pillar automotive LCD display (Source: LG Display)

Another notable example was the application of the world’s first stretchable display, capable of expanding by up to 53%, to a vehicle jog dial. The display remains flat under normal conditions, but expands into a dial-like shape when a button is pressed.

LG Display stretchable TFT array on silicone substrate with 53% flexibility

Demonstration of LG Display’s 53% stretchable display (Source: LG Display)

Low-power solutions targeting the AI era were also introduced. The 14-inch tandem ATO panel achieves both high brightness and low power consumption by applying a tandem structure and a single glass substrate, and the 14.5-inch LCD maximizes battery efficiency with oxide TFT and low-power backlight technology, providing optimized performance for AI devices with increasing power demands. An LG Display official emphasized that the technological evolution of OLED is changing the paradigm of the display industry, and that the company will secure sustainable competitiveness and provide differentiated customer value by strengthening its future technology research and development capabilities as well as commercial technology perfection.

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

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Micro-LED Market Expected to Grow to $1.3 Billion in 2030

UBI Research forecasts the Micro-LED market to reach $1.342 billion by 2030, with annual TV production capacity expanding from 50,000 to 6 million units

UBI Research projects the Micro-LED market to grow to around $1.342 billion by 2030, reshaping the premium TV market landscape. Source: UBI Research

– Annual TV production capacity of 50,000 → 6 million units will accelerate game changing in the premium TV market

According to the “2025 Micro-LED Display Industry and Technology Trend Report” recently published by Ubi Research, Micro-LED, which is touted as a “game changer” in the next generation display market, is on a full-scale growth trajectory. Global Micro-LED TV production capacity is expected to expand from the 50,000 units per year level in 2023 to approximately 6 million units in 2030, and the Micro-LED market size is expected to reach approximately US$1.3 billion (US$1.342 billion).

 Micro-LED is a self-luminous flat panel display technology with higher brightness, longer life, and better durability than OLED, and has emerged as a next-generation candidate in the premium TV and next-generation wearable device markets. Especially it has a wide range of applications from large displays to ultra-compact AR-VR devices due to its superior color reproducibility and visibility with no burn-in concerns.

 UBI Research analyzes that full-scale commercialization will begin after 2027, coupled with improved production efficiency and reduced manufacturing costs, and that the market will continue to grow at a high average annual rate of more than 50% from 2028 onward.

 The main factors driving market expansion are as follows

  •  Increased demand for premium TVs: Growing consumer preference for ultra‑large, high-resolution products.
  • Expansion of production infrastructure: Large-scale investment in mass production lines and process improvements by major manufacturers.
  •  Diversification of application fields: In addition to TVs, enter new markets such as transparent displays, smart glasses, and wearable devices.
  •  Enhanced price competitiveness: Expansion of consumer accessibility through mass production stabilization and cost reduction.

 Joohan Kim, an analyst at UBi Research, pointed out that “the key to Micro-LED proliferation is a stable supply of epi wafers. He added, “Large-scale MOCVD orders are expected to continue after 2026, and wafer production volume is expected to expand to 10 times the current level by 2030,” and “Such stabilization of material supply will support the mass production system of Micro-LED, strengthen price competitiveness, and accelerate market expansion. He added.

 Analyst Kim, Joohan added, “By 2030, the Micro-LED TV market will not only change the competitive landscape of the premium TV market but also affect the profit structure of the forward industry in general,” and “in particular, it will create new growth opportunities in the overall value chain.”

 More specific market outlooks and industry-specific ripple effects will be presented at the “Display Strategy Seminar for 2026 Readiness” to be held on September 5.

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

▶2025 Micro-LED Display Industry and Technology Trends Report

Samsung Display Featured at K-Display 2025 with Micro-LEDs for Premium Watches

Samsung Display 6,000-nit Micro-LED smartwatch showcased at K-Display 2025

Samsung Display unveils Micro-LED smartwatch at K-Display 2025, Source: Samsung Display

Samsung Display flexible Micro-LED display showcased at K-Display 2025

Samsung Display introduces flexible Micro-LED display, Source: Samsung Display

Samsung Display unveiled an innovative product at the K-Display 2025 exhibition that will change the game in the next-generation smartwatch market. The 6,000nit class smartwatch Micro-LED display presented at the show boasts the highest level of brightness of any wrist watch display announced to date. It has a resolution of 326 PPI and was achieved by precision transferring approximately 700,000 red, green, and blue (RGB) LED chips of less than 30μm in size. A Micro-LED display with a 4,000nit flexible structure that can be bent freely was also shown, presenting a variety of design possibilities. In particular, the inorganic light-emitting structure, which has high brightness, low power consumption, and high reliability at the same time, with absolutely no change in brightness and color depending on the viewing angle even when the screen is bent, is regarded as having greatly increased the competitiveness of next-generation wearable displays.

Through this exhibition, Samsung Display presented the market potential of the fusion of flexible design and Micro-LEDs together. Flexible displays go beyond simple curved surface mounting and enable a variety of form factor designs such as folding (Foldable), rolling (Rollable), stretching ( Stretchable), and can expand the range of applications to include not only smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices, but also automotive and aircraft displays. Another advantage is the use of thin and light plastic substrates instead of glass to reduce thickness and weight, and to ensure durability against drop impact.

 These characteristics are also advantageous for integrated component designs such as on-sell touch and under-panel cameras, providing production efficiency and cost reduction benefits, and are strategic assets for design differentiation and brand image enhancement in the premium product market. The flexible Micro-LED display announced by Samsung Display inherits these technological and market values of flexible OLED displays and is attracting attention as a core driving force that will simultaneously drive technological superiority and premium image in the wearable display market in the future. The flexible OLED display is expected to be the core driving force for both technological superiority and premium image in the wearable display market.

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

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BOE Unveils Next-Generation LTPO OLED Roadmap at DIC 2025…Evolving into LTPO 2.x in 2025

BOE LTPO OLED roadmap unveiled at DIC 2025, showing evolution from LTPO 1.0 to LTPO 2.x

BOE’s LTPO Roadmap Exhibited at DIC 2025

From August 7 to 9, at the DIC EXPO 2025 (Display Innovation China), BOE unveiled its LTPO OLED technology development roadmap. The presentation provided a clear view of the company’s technological evolution, starting with the commercialization of LTPO 1.0 in 2021 and leading up to the upcoming launch of the next-generation LTPO 2.x in 2025.

From LTPO 1.0 to 2.0 – Enhanced Power Efficiency and Color Reproduction

In 2021, BOE began mass production of LTPO 1.0, commercializing technology that supports a variable refresh rate (1–120 Hz) and delivers up to 15% power savings. In the same year, the company developed LTPO 1.0+COE (Color on Encapsulation), improving color gamut performance from 83% to 92% (BT2020 standard) and ushering in the era of high color gamut displays.

In 2023, BOE commenced mass production of LTPO 2.0, which minimizes visual fatigue by reducing flicker. This product features 960 Hz PWM driving, supports high brightness of 500 nits, and achieves up to 71% power savings in low-brightness environments.

Tandem Structure Adoption – High Brightness and Low Carbon

Launched in 2024, LTPO 2.0+Tandem improves both transmittance and power efficiency. By adopting a tandem stacked structure, it delivers 24% power savings while simultaneously achieving high brightness and eco-friendliness.

LTPO 2.x in 2025 – Expanding Beyond Mobile to Laptops and Tablets

BOE plans to introduce its next-generation LTPO 2.x in 2025. This technology will further enhance resolution and transmittance, while adopting a thinner and lighter structure. It is expected to be applied not only to smartphones but also to various devices such as laptops (MB), notebooks (NB), and tablets (TPC).

Accelerating Next-Generation Mobile Display Competition

Industry experts believe BOE’s LTPO 2.x will serve as a critical weapon in next-generation OLED competition with Samsung Display and LG Display. With its emphasis on both energy efficiency and eco-friendly technology, BOE is expected to strengthen its position in the global premium smart device market.

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

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Tianma Company Showcases Micro-LED HUD and Vehicle Instrument Panel Displays at DIC EXPO 2025

From August 7 to 9, the 2025 International Display Technology and Application Innovation Exhibition (“DIC EXPO 2025”) was held at the New International Expo Center.  At this exhibition, Tianma showcased advanced display technology products across its entire product range. Leveraging its innovative capabilities and superior product quality, the company won four gold awards and six silver awards at the concurrently held DIC AWARD 2025 International Display Innovation Awards ceremony, drawing significant attention.

Tianma is focusing on cutting-edge technologies such as Micro-LED and OLED, which are gaining attention in the industry. Among these, the company showcased an 8-inch Micro-LED IRIS (Integrated Reflective Image System) HUD, symbolizing the future direction of the display industry. This display achieves ultra-high brightness of over 10,000 nits, significantly reducing afterimage effects compared to traditional LCD solutions, and its simplified optical system structure allows for a smaller overall size. With its high brightness and contrast ratio, it can display images and text more clearly and distinctly even in high-luminance environments.

Tianma’s 8-inch IRIS Micro-LED HUD at DIC EXPO 2025

8-inch IRIS Micro-LED HUD Application Product Source: TIANMA

Additionally, Tianma showcased a 12.3-inch 2D/3D switchable Light Field vehicle instrument cluster display. This product was recognized for its excellence at the DIC AWARD Display Application Innovation Award. It is a vehicle instrument cluster display that implements 2D/3D switching functionality using liquid crystal prism technology, and it is also the first vehicle instrument cluster display in the industry to adopt 500ppi. It offers real-time 3D depth adjustment (viewing distance ≥ 0.6m, viewing angle 25°) and seamless 2D/3D switching with a single button press. It employs proprietary Light Field rendering technology and lossless conversion algorithms to ensure smooth visual transitions. In 3D mode, it displays stereoscopic instrument panel information without the need for glasses, with data such as vehicle speed and rotation speed appearing in a three-dimensional effect.

12.3-inch 3D/2D switchable automotive cluster display with 500ppi resolution

12.3-inch 3D/2D switchable automotive cluster display with 500ppi resolution Source: TIANMA

This company successfully demonstrated a 7-inch Micro-LED automotive display sample device based on its own G3.5 generation production line in July this year. In terms of product industrialization, the company is focusing on three core areas: automotive displays, public information displays, and transparent displays, while also preparing for expansion into wearable and AR fields.

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

▶2025 Micro-LED Display Industry and Technology Trends Report

Samsung Display Declares ‘Era of Smarter’ at K-Display 2025… Accelerating Display Paradigm Shift with AI

Samsung Display’s ‘Era of Smarter’ concept diagram and AI-driven display paradigm shift presented at K-Display 2025

Display paradigm shift with AI, Source: Samsung Display

At the K-Display 2025 Business Forum held from August 6 to 9 last week, Seongchan Cho, Vice President of Samsung Display, delivered a presentation titled “Display Paradigm Shift with AI,” explaining that, against the backdrop of evolving usage patterns across smartphones, tablets, and smart monitors and the advancement of communications and cloud infrastructure, the trend of “carry small, view big” is spreading and displays are being redefined as the core of the next-generation human–machine interface (HMI).

He noted that OLED has achieved major advances in perceived image quality—such as contrast, response, and color reproduction—and that it is now time to leap forward into a stage of intelligent optimization that simultaneously improves power, thermal, optical, and algorithmic performance. In particular, he outlined three clear pillars for AI.

First, with AI-designed OLED materials, the company will accelerate materials discovery and property prediction to improve key metrics such as lifetime, efficiency, and color purity more rapidly. Second, in panel architecture optimization, AI-driven design and simulation will shorten multivariable trade-offs across light extraction, encapsulation, and color conversion. Third, under “AI on Display,” the company will emphasize a strategy that dynamically operates features for health, security, and power saving by recognizing usage context. Power optimization and perceived user quality were also central messages.

The company introduced an approach that reduces unnecessary power consumption through control of the off-pixel ratio (OPR) and region-specific frequency optimization, while structurally lowering optical losses such as polarization loss. At the same time, based on the concept of “perceptual image quality”—that contrast and color optimization determine readability and fatigue even at the same luminance—the company stated it will comprehensively enhance contrast, color accuracy, and uniformity to elevate perceived sharpness.

The roadmap for the XR era was also made clear. By combining high-density, high-brightness OLEDoS microdisplays compatible with lightweight optics (such as pancake lenses) with ultra-low-latency driving and improvements in viewing angle and uniformity, the company aims to reduce fatigue in long-wear scenarios, while presenting practical use cases in which multimodal inputs—such as eye gaze, hand gestures, and voice—are processed by on-device AI. This aligns with the direction of “smart displays,” which integrate and optimize power, thermal, optical, and algorithmic factors under device battery constraints.

The health, security, and power-saving focus of “AI on Display” was also presented in concrete terms. On the health front, the company pointed to organic photodiode (OPD)-based biosignal sensing and adaptive contrast/color temperature control to reduce eye strain; on security, smart privacy displays and risk detection based on gaze and presence sensing; and on power saving, dynamic operation that reflects content, environment, and user status to maximize battery efficiency.

The company also demonstrated strong commitment to environmental and safety (ESG) goals. It is pursuing a roadmap to substitute hazardous gases and chemicals used in silicon-oxide-based multilayer structures with safer substances and to phase out and replace high-performing yet environmentally burdensome materials such as PFAS. The company plans to raise environmental and safety standards in parallel throughout large-format, high-integration, and wearable expansion.

At its exhibition booth, Samsung Display showcased exhibits that concretize this vision. Through microdisplay engines/modules for XR, lightweight-optics-compatible reference designs, and interaction demos under the “AI on Display” concept—such as gaze-based focusing and variable-resolution/brightness driving—the company highlighted its capabilities in the integrated optimization of panels, optics, and algorithms.

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

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[DIC EXPO 2025] EDO Showcases OLED Capabilities, Sets Sights on Global Market Expansion

At DIC EXPO 2025 in Shanghai, China, EverDisplay Optronics (EDO), a leading Chinese AMOLED specialist, set up a large booth and showcased its extensive OLED product portfolio. While EDO is a relatively rare participant in major international display exhibitions, it highlighted its latest products and technologies at this year’s DIC EXPO, demonstrating a strong commitment to market expansion.

Founded in 2012, EDO is one of the leaders in successfully mass producing AMOLEDs in China at a relatively early stage. Currently producing both rigid and flexible OLEDs, EDO has recently expanded into high-value-added markets such as foldable OLEDs and automotive OLEDs. In particular, it holds the number one position in China in the mid- to large-sized AMOLED (tablets, laptops, etc.) market, demonstrating a dominant presence in the tablet and laptop display markets. In 2024, EDO’s OLED panel shipments reached 42.6 million units and revenue reached $462.3 million, ranking it fifth among Chinese OLED panel manufacturers. Key to this success are strategic partnerships, including supplying tablet panels to major clients such as HONOR and Huawei, and providing 14-inch 2.8K and 1.9K OLED panels to global PC brand Acer.

EDO operates both G4.5 and G6 production lines in Shanghai. The G4.5 line primarily produces panels for wearables and smartphones, while the G6 line produces large-scale panels for tablets, laptops, automobiles, monitors, and aircraft. Its monthly production capacity reaches 30,000 substrates. In the aviation industry, EDO supplies 15.6-inch, 21.6-inch, and 27-inch AMOLED panels to global airlines through Panasonic. For automotive OLEDs, EDO supplies 13-inch and 15.1-inch Tandem OLED panels to companies such as Geely.

EDO’s 11.3-inch LTPO OLED tablet display showcased at DIC EXPO 2025

11.3-inch LTPO OLED, Source: EDO

EDO’s 14.2-inch hybrid, tandem OLED tablet display showcased at DIC EXPO 2025

14.2-inch Hybrid, Tandem OLED, Source: EDO

At this exhibition, tablets utilizing Hybrid OLED and Tandem OLED technologies attracted the attention of visitors. EDO became the first company in China to mass-produce tablets utilizing Hybrid OLED and Tandem OLED in 2024, and has also successfully mass-produced a 27-inch 4K AMOLED monitor panel. LTPO TFT technology, designed for low power consumption, is also being widely applied to watches and tablets, improving energy efficiency.

EDO’s 21.6-inch and 27-inch OLED monitor panels displayed at DIC EXPO 2025

21.6-inch, 27-inch OLED Monitors, Source: EDO

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

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San An Optoelectronics Acquires Lumiles of the Netherlands for $239 Million

 Acquisition of 3rd Largest Automotive LED Manufacturer Accelerates Global Automotive and Micro-LED Market Capture

 San’an Optoelectronics, China’s largest LED epitaxial wafer and chip manufacturer, announced that it will acquire Lumileds, a Dutch LED specialist, for $239 million in cash.

 Lumileds was originally founded as a joint venture between Philips and Agilent and has grown to become a leading global LED solution supplier in the automotive and architectural lighting segments. The company currently holds the third place in the global automotive LED market (1st ams OSRAM, 2nd Nichia) and recorded sales of approximately $600 million in 2024.

 In the micro-LED field, Lumileds is also actively developing technologies: in 2024, in cooperation with XDC, the company demonstrated a 140 PPI micro-IC driven micro-LED display on a 13× 20 μm LED chip substrate, demonstrating its commercial viability.

San An Optoelectronics accounts for about 60% of China’s LED wafer production, producing more than 24 million wafers annually. In the micro-LED field, the company is working with global display manufacturers such as Samsung and TCL CSOT, and has announced plans to build a $1.8 billion Mini-LED and Micro-LED production center in Hubei Province, China, in 2019. 6-inch by 2025 with a monthly capacity of 1,400 Micro-LED wafer production capacity.

 The acquisition is expected to help Shan’an achieve its two strategic goals of expanding its automotive LED market share and strengthening its Micro-LED technology portfolio. China will have an integrated system from Micro-LEDs for vehicles to ‘chips→ , modules→ , and application to complete vehicles. In particular, the combination of Lumileds’ high-reliability automotive lighting technology and micro-LED device design capabilities is expected to greatly enhance competitiveness in next-generation application markets such as vehicle displays, AR HUD, and smart lighting. If San’an maintains Lumileds’ global OEM network intact, the speed of entry into the European and American luxury vehicle markets could also be very fast.

The reasons for this, in stages, are as follows

1. pre-acquisition – post-acquisition changes in San’an’s value chain

 2. Significance in the Automotive Micro-LED Field

  •  Lumileds Strengths
    •  Experience in automotive reliability certifications such as AEC-Q100/102/104
    •  LED module design capability for headlamps, DRLs, and HUDs
    •  Supply contracts and networks with global automotive suppliers
  •  San’an Strengths
    •  High-volume production capacity of RGB chips for Micro-LEDs
    •  Cost competitiveness +  Government support (China LED Independence Strategy)

Synergies: San’an produces chips OEM delivery can be done within one company →  Complete vertical affiliation

3. Impact on China’s Automotive Micro-LED Strategy

  1.  Technology internalization
    •  Absorption of Lumileds’ vehicle standards compliance and optical design technologies enables development of proprietary automotive Micro-LED modules in China.
  2.  Self-sufficient supply chain
    •  Everything from chips to modules to certification can be handled within China. →  Reduces dependence on foreign countries.
  3.  Cost and speed competitiveness
    •  Shorter certification and mass production conversion time. →  Enhanced negotiating power with global OEMs.
  4.  Competitive pressure
    •  Possible to put pressure on Taiwanese, Korean, and U.S. companies such as AUO, PlayNitride, and JBD in terms of cost and supply speed.

4. Scenario for the next 3-5 years

 Period  Change Forecast
 2025-2026  Integration of Lumileds and production and certification lines in China, demonstration of initial automotive Micro-LED modules
 Year 2027  Full-scale application of Micro-LED modules in HUDs, transparent displays, and lighting for finished vehicles in China (Geely, BYD, etc.)
 After 2028 Expansion of overseas OEM supply, possible reorganization of global Micro-LED market share for vehicles into a China-centric structure

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

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Visionox Unveils ViP (Visionox Intelligent Pixelization) Products at DIC 2025… Achieves Over 90% Yield in Small-Sized Displays

Visionox’s circular OLED smartwatch panels produced with ViP deposition technology, showcased at DIC 2025.

OLED panel for smartwatches using ViP deposition method unveiled by Visionox

Chinese display specialist Visionox showcased products manufactured using its ViP (Visionox Intelligent Pixelization) technology at the DIC 2025 (Display Innovation China) exhibition held in August 2025. ViP is Visionox’s next-generation core technology, enabling ultra-high resolution, improved device lifetime, and high brightness—representing performance enhancements across multiple dimensions.

At the exhibition, Visionox revealed that panels produced with the ViP method offer a resolution of up to 1700 ppi, an aperture ratio of 69%, a sixfold improvement in device lifetime, and four times higher brightness compared to conventional technologies. The company emphasized that this technology is widely applicable—from AR/VR microdisplays to smartphones, automotive displays, and large-sized TV panels.

A Visionox representative at the exhibition stated, “Among the panels produced using the ViP method on our V3 line, small-sized display panels such as those for smartwatches have achieved yields of over 90%. Yields for medium-sized displays, such as those for smartphones, have also reached around 60%.”

However, since the ViP deposition method is applied to 8.6-generation medium-to-large OLED production lines, the technical difficulty of yield improvement increases with larger substrate sizes. Therefore, further monitoring of yield stabilization will be necessary going forward.

The ViP deposition method is compatible with both regular and irregular panel structures, supports low minimum order quantities, and is compatible with pol-less and transparent display technologies. As such, it is considered well-suited for high-mix, low-volume production and customized display markets.

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

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Sensor OLED Displays: Smartphones Evolve into Healthcare Platforms

Concept diagram of Samsung Display’s sensor-integrated OLED technology for mobile cardiovascular health monitoring, presented at SID 2025.

At SID 2025, Samsung Display unveiled its Sensor OLED technology that enables both biometric authentication and cardiovascular data monitoring on a single OLED screen.
Source: Samsung Display, SID 2025 Digest (Paper 80-1)

Display technology is evolving yet again. They’ve gone beyond just displaying images to detecting and analyzing vital signs and even diagnosing your health. Samsung Display’s paper “Sensor OLED Display-Based Mobile Cardiovascular Health Monitor” (SID 2025 Digest, Paper 80-1), presented at SID 2025, symbolizes this change. The paper introduces Sensor OLED technology, which integrates organic photodiodes (OPDs) into OLED displays at high resolution and down to the pixel level, and demonstrates the potential for smartphones to evolve into cardiovascular disease monitors and digital treatment platforms.

Traditionally, measuring biometric data has required the use of separate wearable devices or standalone sensors, but Sensor OLED is designed to simultaneously collect high-resolution image sensing and photoplethysmography (PPG) signals on the display itself, enabling fast and precise measurement of a variety of vital signs with the simple act of placing a finger on the smartphone display. It can simultaneously measure PPG signals from the left and right fingers and compare the features of the pulse waveforms to screen for cardiovascular disease with 90% accuracy, according to the paper. This method achieves similar levels of accuracy to Doppler or sphygmomanometers used in healthcare organizations but offers greater convenience in that it does not require a hospital visit or wearing any equipment.

The paper specifically focuses on the cuffless blood pressure measurement algorithm, which compares a single-point method that utilizes PPG signals from a single finger to a dual-point method that analyzes signals from both fingers together, demonstrating that both accuracy and reliability can be achieved. In a clinical trial involving 120 people and a four-week follow-up, medical device-level accuracy was achieved, and the signal loss rate was significantly reduced. As such, sensor OLED-based smartphones are expanding into mobile healthcare platforms that can analyze blood pressure, heart rate, stress, respiration rate, and even vascular structure and blood flow.

The best feature of sensor OLEDs is the interactive sensing experience. While measuring vital signs, the signal quality can be checked in real time, and users can adjust finger position or pressure on the screen to improve data accuracy. The paper defines this as ‘User Interactive Sensing’ and emphasizes its potential to evolve into a device-based solution that can replace existing complex biofeedback devices. High-resolution image-based blood flow analysis also makes it possible to visualize and measure the structure and flow of blood vessels in the finger. This technology paves the way for smartphones to replace existing hospital Doppler machines.

As such, sensor OLEDs are gaining traction as a key platform for next-generation smartphones and wearable devices because they can integrate displays and sensors into a single device, dramatically improving measurement performance while reducing the thickness and complexity of the device. In particular, its convergence with artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies can be linked to a variety of digital therapeutics (DTx) services, including personalized health monitoring, early disease prediction, and telemedicine.

In the paper, the research team said that the technology is not just a technical experiment but has achieved medical device-level reliability in real-world clinical environments and has the potential for commercialization through large-scale clinical validation. This is expected to enable basic health care in areas where it is difficult to visit a hospital or where medical infrastructure is lacking.

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

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Samsung Display’s Mid-Large Area OLED Shipments Surge 58.2% in Q2… Further Growth Expected in the Second Half

Bar and line graph showing Samsung Display’s OLED panel shipments from 1Q24 to 2Q25, including QoQ and YoY growth trends.

Samsung Display’s OLED panel shipments from 1Q24 to 2Q25

Samsung Display saw a significant increase in Mid-large area OLED panel shipments during the second quarter. According to UBI Research’s quarterly publication, OLED Display Market Tracker, the company shipped a total of 4.9 million large-area OLED panels in Q2 2025, marking a 58.2% rise from 3.1 million units in the first quarter.

By product category, OLED panel shipments for notebooks reached 2.5 million units, representing the largest share and more than double the volume of the previous quarter. UBI Research forecasts continued growth in notebook OLED shipments in the second half of the year, with total shipments in 2025 expected to reach around 10 million units. Furthermore, starting in 2026, Samsung Display is set to supply 2-stack tandem OLED panels for Apple’s MacBook Pro series, which is projected to drive notebook OLED shipments to over 15 million units annually.

OLED panel shipments for monitors also showed solid growth. Q2 shipments were estimated at 700,000 units, up approximately 44% from the first quarter. The annual shipment volume for 2025 is projected to reach about 2.5 million units.

In addition to notebooks and monitors, shipments of OLED panels for automotive displays, tablet PCs, and TVs remained similar to Q1 levels, with slight increases observed.

Chang Wook Han, Executive Vice President of UBI Research, commented, “Samsung Display experienced a temporary decline in shipments during Q1 due to reduced demand for tablet PC and notebook panels, but recovered to typical levels in Q2. From Q3 onward, panel shipments for the new iPad Pro models and notebook panels for DHL are expected to increase, further boosting Samsung Display’s shipment volume in the third and fourth quarters.”

Samsung Display is actively strengthening its presence in the large-area OLED market, accelerating business expansion across various sectors including notebooks, monitors, tablets, and automotive applications. Industry observers expect this trend to become a key growth driver for the overall OLED market.

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

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BOE Clears Qualification for iPhone 17 Pro OLED Panels…Mass Production Expected to Begin in August

BOE iPhone 17

Chinese display maker BOE has reportedly cleared Apple’s qualification (Qual) process for producing OLED panels for the iPhone 17 Pro. Industry insiders had initially predicted that BOE would struggle to obtain approval for the premium model’s panels within this year, but the faster-than-expected qualification suggests the company is strengthening its readiness for Apple’s 2025 lineup.

While BOE has received panel-level qualification, it has yet to pass the module qualification stage. Nevertheless, the company is expected to begin risk production of iPhone 17 Pro panels as early as August. These early batches are believed to be for verification or initial delivery purposes.

With this additional qualification, BOE’s total shipment forecast for iPhone OLED panels in 2025 has been revised upward from 40 million units to approximately 45 million units, reflecting the newly approved volume for the iPhone 17 Pro.

BOE is currently operating its B11 facility in Mianyang, Sichuan Province, as a dedicated OLED production line for iPhones. The company has configured six module lines in total: two lines for iPhone 14 and 16e, two for iPhone 16, and two verification lines for the iPhone 17 Pro. Given the high complexity and stringent quality standards required for the Pro model, securing stable yield rates will be a key challenge moving forward.

Clearing this qualification marks a significant step for BOE toward entering Apple’s premium lineup in earnest. It also adds competitive pressure to the current iPhone OLED panel supply structure, which is largely dominated by Samsung Display and LG Display. However, since BOE has not yet secured module-level qualification, additional verification and technical stabilization will be necessary before full-scale deliveries can begin.

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

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The Evolution of Automotive Displays: OLED Leading the Premium Market

As digitalization accelerates in the automotive industry, the sophistication of in-vehicle displays is accelerating. OLED displays, in particular, are rapidly being adopted, particularly in premium vehicles, due to their superior image quality and flexible design possibilities.

The first automotive application of OLED displays was the instrument clusters of the 2016 Audi TT RS and Q7. These vehicles featured OLED panels supplied by Samsung Display, leading to the early commercialization of digital clusters. Following this, the 2017 Cadillac Escala concept car featured LG Display’s curved OLED display in its instrument cluster, demonstrating the potential of OLED in luxury vehicles.

OLEDs were first commercialized in the central information display (CID) with the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. This vehicle features a 12.8-inch vertical OLED touchscreen, which integrates with haptic feedback and Mercedes-Benz’s next-generation infotainment system, MBUX 2nd Generation, significantly enhancing the passenger experience. The 2022 EQS and EQS SUV will then see the introduction of the ‘MBUX Hyperscreen’, which integrates a 17.7-inch central OLED and a 12.3-inch passenger OLED under a curved glass panel.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class (12.8-inch OLED CID)

Mercedes-Benz S-Class (12.8-inch OLED CID)

MBUX Hyperscreen (17.7-inch OLED CID, 12.3-inch OLED CDD)

MBUX Hyperscreen (17.7-inch OLED CID, 12.3-inch OLED CDD)

Amidst this trend, LG Display was the first company to establish a mass production system for automotive OLEDs, steadily supplying OLED panels to various brands, including Mercedes-Benz. Notably, LGD has established itself as a key partner for Mercedes-Benz, leading the premium display market for its electric vehicle lineup, including the EQS and EQE.

Meanwhile, Samsung Display is actively expanding its supply of next-generation automotive OLED panels. Specifically, it plans to supply a 48-inch “pillar-to-pillar” OLED display for the 2028 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, as well as future CLA, SL, and electric vehicle lineups. This display, with its integrated structure spanning the entire front of the vehicle, is attracting attention for its ability to deliver both immersive and design perfection.

Despite the high cost and limited supplier base compared to LCD, OLED is becoming a key element in providing differentiated user experiences and strengthening brand identity for luxury brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Genesis, Lucid, and BYD. “Automotive OLED panel shipments are expected to reach approximately 3 million units in 2025, and by 2030, they are expected to exceed 6 million units, accounting for 14.4% of the total automotive display market in terms of value,” said Changwook Han, Executive Vice President of UBI Research. “This demonstrates that in-car displays are evolving beyond a simple means of conveying information to become the center of UX that provides emotion and immersion.”

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

▶2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis Report

China’s WSMT Attracts $14 Million Investment…. Technology Competition with JBD in the MicroLED Market is in Full Swing

Westlake Smokey Mountain Technology (WSMT)

Westlake Smokey Mountain Technology (WSMT), headquartered in Hangzhou, China, has recently successfully attracted a pre-series A investment of approximately RMB 100 million (approximately US$14 million). The investment was made by Shenzhen Capital Group (SCGC), Ivy Capital, Moganshan Fund, Lenovo Capital & Incubator Group, and others, suggesting that WSMT has entered into full-scale preparations for Micro-LED mass production.

 WSMT is a company developing Micro-LEDs with a vertically stacked structure of RGB elements based on technology from Westlake University (Westlake University). Unlike the conventional RGB separated structure, this technology vertically stacks red (R), green (G), and blue (B) LEDs on a single chip, fundamentally solving the problem of pixel alignment accuracy, and is regarded as an advantageous structure for realizing high-resolution small displays.

The company is currently building an epi-wafer production line for Micro-LEDs in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, which is expected to be in production by the end of 2025.WSMT emphasizes that this technology will enable ultra-high resolution of over 5,000dpi, a lifetime of over 100,000 hours, low power (<50mW, 10K nits standard) The company emphasizes that this technology can be used not only for microdisplays for AR/VR, but also for scalability of large-area displays of 8 inches or larger.

 At the same time, Jade Bird Display (JBD), located in Shenzhen, China, also started sample shipments of its “Phoenix series” of RGB vertically stacked micro-LED microdisplays. ㎛JBD also plans to mass produce 0.3-inch, 4K resolution products by the end of 2025.

JBD has until recently secured tens of millions of dollars in funding through the A4 strategic investment round and A3 round, with major global companies such as Alibaba, Samsung, BYD, and Geely as major investors. In particular, JBD is working with BYD on the joint development of Micro-LED displays for vehicles. Currently, JBD is operating a $92 million mass production line in Hefei with a total capacity of 120 million 0.13-inch panels per year.

 WSMT and JBD are both developing Micro-LED technology based on the vertically stacked RGB structure, but WSMT, as a research-oriented startup, is emphasizing the perfection of the technology and the potential for large-area deployment, while JBD is securing an advantage in terms of commercialization and speed of market entry.

 The competition between WSMT and JBD is part of China’s strategy to secure technology leadership in the global MicroLED ecosystem. The competition between WSMT and JBD can be interpreted as part of China’s strategy to secure technology leadership in the global MicroLED ecosystem, and is expected to influence the strategic choices of Apple, Meta, Samsung Electronics, and others in the future.

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

▶UBI Research’s Micro Display Report

Application of Samsung Display’s ‘Flex Magic Pixel’ and CoE technology: Simultaneously delivers privacy protection and top-notch image quality

Samsung Display FMP OLED with switchable privacy mode and wide viewing angle protection

Flex Magic Pixel™ at MWC (Mobile World Congress) 2024

Samsung Display is expected to introduce Flex Magic Pixel™, a revolutionary viewing angle adjustment technology, to its next flagship smart device, bringing a new level of user privacy experience. Through synergies with Samsung Display’s core OLED technology, CoE (Color filter on Encapsulation), this technology is expected to secure even stronger competitiveness.

‘Flex Magic Pixel’ first garnered significant attention from the industry at the MWC (Mobile World Congress) 2024 exhibition. This proprietary Samsung Display technology combines artificial intelligence (AI) to dynamically control the display’s viewing angle. When a user runs sensitive applications like banking apps, the AI recognizes this and automatically adjusts the screen to be clearly visible only from a direct frontal view. From side angles, the screen appears blurry or invisible, effectively preventing the leakage of personal information.

Traditional privacy films, attached to the display, typically suffer from reduced screen brightness and degraded picture quality. Their fixed viewing angles also limit user convenience, and their thickness can restrict design flexibility. ‘Flex Magic Pixel,’ however, fundamentally resolves these issues. ‘Flex Magic Pixel’ is not merely a film technology that blocks light from certain angles, but a sophisticated technology that controls the viewing angle through precise manipulation of individual OLED pixels. This ensures users can experience top-tier picture quality while their privacy remains protected.

Furthermore, ‘Flex Magic Pixel’ maximizes its synergy when combined with Samsung Display’s OLED CoE technology. CoE technology removes the conventional polarizer from OLED panels and directly forms a color filter on the encapsulation layer. This dramatically reduces display thickness and enhances light transmittance, delivering exceptional brightness and superior power efficiency.

The high brightness and flexibility achieved with CoE technology are expected to have a positive impact on the functionality of Flex Magic Pixel. The high-bright screen based on CoE compensates for the slight light loss that may occur when Flex Magic Pixel is activated, enabling perfect privacy protection even in next-generation form factors such as foldable and rollable devices.

The combination of Flex Magic Pixel and CoE technology enables users to use smart devices with confidence anytime, anywhere, while providing overwhelming picture quality and design flexibility, and is expected to be expanded to next-generation displays such as automotive displays and IT devices.

The future application of ‘Flex Magic Pixel’ will once again demonstrate Samsung Display’s technology leadership in satisfying user convenience and security at the same time and is expected to set a new direction for the future display market.

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

▶2025 Small OLED Display Annual Report Sample

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HKC Pushes OLED Expansion: Smartphone Panel Trial Production Starts, G6 eLEAP Line Planned

HKC, one of China’s leading display panel manufacturers, is accelerating its transition into the small- and medium-sized OLED market. Moving beyond its traditional focus on large-sized LCDs, the company is now expanding into flexible OLED panels for smartphones and IT devices, while also actively investing in next-generation maskless OLED fabrication technologies.

HKC plans to begin trial production of smartphone OLED panels at its H6 facility in July 2025. The Phase 1 line has been built using secondhand 5.5-generation equipment previously owned by Royole, and features a hybrid structure that applies flexible encapsulation on glass substrates. The TFT backplane has a monthly capacity of 4,000 substrates, and the evaporation process follows a quarter-cut method.

In Phase 2, HKC is incorporating 4.5-generation EVEN equipment transferred from Japan’s Sharp, which is expected to be restored and operational by April 2026. The company also owns a dedicated OLED R&D line, currently undergoing restoration, with completion targeted for September 2025.

Notably, HKC is planning to build a dedicated G6 (6th-generation) OLED mass production line based on eLEAP technology. While Kunshan was initially considered as the investment site, current indications suggest the project will likely shift to Mianyang in Sichuan Province, due to changing policy dynamics and stronger local government partnerships. HKC is currently seeking regulatory approval from the Chinese government for its G6 OLED line based on eLEAP technology. While FMM (Fine Metal Mask) processing is also being considered as an option, it is understood that approval for FMM is highly unlikely due to regulatory constraints. The production line is expected to incorporate secondhand equipment from Japan Display Inc. (JDI), with potential for accompanying technical support.

This strategy signals a broader shift in China’s OLED industry, moving beyond simple production scale-ups to focus on achieving global competitiveness in advanced manufacturing technologies.

A parallel effort is underway at Visionox, which is building a G8.6 OLED line (V5) in Hefei. There, the company is developing and preparing to mass-produce OLED panels using ViP (Visionox Intelligent Pixelization), a maskless pixel formation technology based on photolithography and patents from Japan’s SEL. This approach avoids the resolution and yield limitations associated with traditional FMM processes.

HKC’s eLEAP investment aligns with this broader maskless OLED trend. Developed by JDI, eLEAP technology enables precision pixel formation without metal masks, offering advantages in aperture ratio and panel longevity. HKC signed an MOU with JDI in 2023 for joint development of eLEAP-based OLEDs. Although the companies later scaled back plans for a joint OLED fab, technical collaboration is understood to be ongoing.

The parallel efforts of HKC with eLEAP and Visionox with ViP demonstrate China’s intent to lead not only in OLED manufacturing capacity, but also in core next-generation fabrication technologies. This shift underscores the nation’s strategic ambition for technological self-reliance and global leadership in OLED production—an ambition likely to reshape the future of the small- and medium-sized OLED industry.

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

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Visionox Accelerates V5 Project…Expanding Technological Foundation through Patent Agreement with SEL and Completion of Mask-less OLED Deposition Equipment Order

Comparison of OLED layer structures: FMM vs. ViP

OLED Layer Structure Comparison: FMM vs. ViP (Source: Visionox)

The key infrastructure processes for Visionox’s V5 project in China are progressing smoothly, signaling the full-scale preparation for next-generation OLED production. In parallel, Visionox has made a significant leap in securing core technological capabilities by signing a strategic patent license agreement with Japan’s Semiconductor Energy Laboratory (SEL).

The V5 line, currently under construction by Visionox in Hefei, Anhui Province, aims to move away from the conventional FMM (Fine Metal Mask) process and focuses on the production of mask-less OLED panels. To that end, the company is advancing its ViP (Visionox Intelligent Pixelization) technology—recently rebranded as mask-less OLED—as a next-generation high-resolution OLED manufacturing method.

Recently, Visionox successfully completed the roofing work for the V5 plant, wrapping up groundwork for major equipment installation. Core production equipment, including OLED deposition systems, has been ordered from AKT, a subsidiary of Applied Materials. Orders for additional essential equipment—such as exposure systems (Nikon), ion implanters (Nissin), and Excimer Laser Annealing tools—are also underway. The technical committee’s review for final investment approval of the V5 line shows positive progress.

In the meantime, Visionox has entered into a licensing agreement with SEL for core OLED-related patents. SEL holds a large number of fundamental patents related to LTPS (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Silicon), oxide TFTs, and OLED driving technologies. The company is developing a lithography-based OLED process called metal maskless lithography (MML). Through this agreement, Visionox aims to reduce global patent risks and strengthen its technological competitiveness in mask-less OLED technologies and high-resolution panel design. Visionox’s mask-less OLED process is based on Applied Materials’ OLED Max (photolithography) technology. Unlike SEL’s approach, which performs cathode processing after the lithography step, OLED Max conducts lithography after forming both the cathode and encapsulation layers. Although SEL’s method may lead to shorter OLED material lifespan, it offers an advantage in improving process yield. The partnership with SEL is expected to become a major milestone in Visionox’s push toward commercialization of next-generation OLED technology.

With progress in the V5 project and expanding global technological partnerships, Visionox plans to continue reinforcing its leadership in the global OLED market through initiatives such as establishing a national-level R&D institute in Kunshan, diversifying AMOLED applications, and improving asset efficiency for sustainable, technology-driven growth.

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

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LG Display Sees Recovery in 2H OLED Shipments for iPhone and iPad – Positive Signal for Earnings

– OLED shipments expected to rise by approx. 70% in Q3 with the mass production of iPhone 17 series

2025 Panel Shipment Share For Apple

2025 Panel Shipment Share For Apple

LG Display is poised for a rebound in earnings in the second half of the year as it ramps up OLED panel shipments for iPhones and iPads. According to market research firm UBI Research, Apple’s new iPhone 17 series and iPad Pro models entered full-scale mass production in July, leading to a projected sharp increase in LG Display’s OLED panel shipments in Q3.

UBI Research reports that LG Display accounted for 21.3% of iPhone panel shipments in Q2, falling behind China’s BOE for the first time, which recorded a 22.7% share. Samsung Display remained the leader, commanding 56% of shipments for iPhones.

Currently, LG Display supplies small- and mid-sized OLED panels exclusively to Apple, primarily focusing on LTPO panels used in the iPhone Pro lineup. These panels are priced higher than the LTPS panels supplied by BOE for the standard iPhone models, which means LG Display still leads in revenue terms despite lower shipment volumes.

The Q2 decline in LG Display’s shipments is seen as a temporary setback. Since Apple’s new iPhone series typically enters mass production in July each year, shipments are expected to surge starting in Q3. In fact, LG Display’s iPhone panel shipments are forecasted to reach around 18.5 million units in Q3—a 70% increase from Q2—and exceed 25 million units in Q4.

In addition to iPhones, shipments for iPad panels are also expected to rebound in Q3. Production of new iPad Pro models, which had sluggish sales last year due to high retail prices, began in July. As a result, iPad OLED panel shipments are expected to double from 800,000 units in Q2 to 1.6 million units in Q3.

Changwook Han, Executive Vice President of UBI Research, stated, “With both the iPhone 17 series and the new OLED iPad Pro models entering mass production in July, LG Display’s performance is set to show a clear recovery starting in the third quarter.” He added, “On an annual basis, LG Display is expected to secure over 30% of total iPhone OLED panel shipments in 2025.”

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

▶Quarterly Medium & Large OLED Display Market Tracker Sample

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Seeya Technology Applies for Listing on STAR Market of Shanghai Stock Exchange – Accelerates Expansion of Micro-OLED Production

On June 26, 2025, Micro-OLED specialist Seeya Technology (希显科技) submitted its application for listing on the STAR Market (科创板) of the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Through this IPO, the company aims to raise approximately 2.015 billion RMB (about KRW 380 billion), with the funds primarily allocated to expanding production capacity and strengthening R&D.

Seeya currently operates with a monthly production capacity of 9,000 sheets (based on 12-inch wafers) and began equipment installation for Phase 2 in May 2025, which will add another 9K to its capacity. Depending on market conditions, Phase 3 investment is also planned, and once all phases are completed, the company is expected to reach a total monthly capacity of 27K.

The IPO process began at the end of 2024 and has recently completed all major pre-listing procedures. If all goes smoothly, Seeya is expected to complete its listing by 2026. The company is already supplying mass-produced products to key customers such as Xiaomi, DJI, XREAL, and Thunderbird (雷鸟科技). It is currently competing with BOE to secure Meta’s business, and has also established a strategic partnership with Apple.

With this IPO, Seeya is expected to further strengthen its position within China’s Micro-OLED industry and expand its influence in the global XR and AR device markets.

Detailed information on the current status of China’s Micro-OLED industry, including Seeya Technology, can be found in UBI Research’s China Trends Report.

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

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The Future of Panoramic HUDs, Led by Micro-LED

As in-vehicle display technologies continue to evolve rapidly, the head-up display (HUD), which projects various types of information into the driver’s forward field of view, is becoming an essential interface in modern vehicles. Recently, Panoramic HUDs (PHUDs) capable of displaying not only speed and navigation data but also augmented reality (AR) content have emerged, showcasing significant technological advancement. At the core of this evolution is Micro-LED technology, which is gaining traction as the key enabler of PHUDs.

PHUDs project information across the entire or a substantial portion of the windshield, requiring a wide field of view, high resolution, and high brightness. Currently, the most commercially viable implementation is the black strip reflection method. This approach utilizes the lower black band area of the windshield as a reflective surface, allowing for a simpler optical system and lower production costs—making it an attractive option for many automakers. However, to avoid obstructing the driver’s view, the image projection height is limited, typically restricted to a narrow vertical range of approximately 3 to 6 cm.

BMW Panoramic Vision

BMW Panoramic Vision

For a more immersive and premium experience, some high-end vehicles adopt a transparent reflection method. This involves embedding multilayer optical films or applying special structures within the windshield, allowing images to be reflected even in transparent areas without the need for a black band. While this method offers advantages in immersion and design, it poses significant challenges in optical complexity, higher costs, and low reflectivity—necessitating the use of ultra-bright displays.

Micro-LED provides a compelling solution to these structural and technological challenges. Thanks to its self-emissive pixel structure, Micro-LED can achieve brightness levels exceeding 1,000 nits, with ultra-high brightness capabilities reaching 30,000 to 50,000 nits—all while maintaining excellent power efficiency.

At SID 2025, major display companies such as AUO, BOE, and CSOT unveiled a range of Micro-LED-based PHUD prototypes. BOE showcased a 6.2-inch Micro-LED HUD with sub-0.2mm pixel pitch and 30,000 nits peak brightness (15,000 nits perceived brightness). CSOT presented a large 14.3-inch PHUD featuring 45,000 nits peak brightness (12,000 nits perceived brightness) and a wide viewing angle, while AUO demonstrated a 13-inch high-brightness PHUD with 12,000 nits of perceived brightness.

AUO 13” PHUD (12,000nits)

AUO 13” PHUD (12,000nits)

BOE 6.2” PHUD (15,000nits)

BOE 6.2” PHUD (15,000nits)

TCL CSOT 14.3” PHUD (12,000nits)

TCL CSOT 14.3” PHUD (12,000nits)

Micro-LED is not merely enhancing display performance—it is fundamentally transforming the structure and implementation of Panoramic HUDs. It overcomes the limitations of restricted reflection areas, enables the projection of high-brightness, high-resolution images onto various curved windshields, and meets the demands for transparency and design flexibility. As the commercialization of PHUDs becomes a reality, Micro-LED stands at the center of this transformation. The future of automotive vision and interface will unfold on Micro-LED.

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

▶2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis Report

Ultra-Slim Innovation, Foldable Phone Evolution: The Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Market Race to 2025

Galaxy Z Fold7 & Z Flip7 (Source: Samsung Electronics)

Galaxy Z Fold7 & Z Flip7 (Source: Samsung Electronics)

Samsung Electronics unveiled the Galaxy Z Fold 7 on July 9, announcing its global launch in late July. The new Z Fold 7 reduces weight to 215 grams and measures just 8.9 mm when folded and 4.2 mm when unfolded, making it the thinnest and lightest Z Fold series yet. Compared to its predecessor, the Fold 6, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 offers noticeable improvements in thickness and weight. When folded, it’s 8.9mm thick, down from 12.1mm, which is about 3.2mm thinner, a reduction of about 26%. When unfolded, the thickness has also been reduced from 5.8 mm to 4.2 mm, which is about 28% thinner. The weight is also 24 grams lighter, from 239 grams to 215 grams. The main display has grown from 7.6 inches to 8.0 inches, and the cover display has widened from 6.3 inches to 6.5 inches. This is designed to improve both portability and visual immersion. The new “Armor Flex Hinge” uses enhanced materials and structural innovations to achieve a durable and thin design.

The 2025 foldable cell phone market is facing an intensifying race to slim down, and in addition to Samsung, other major manufacturers such as Vivo, Oppo, and Honor are launching a series of products in the 9mm or smaller class. The thinnest major foldable smartphone currently on the market is Honor Magic V5 White, which measures 8.8mm when folded and 4.1mm when unfolded. The lightest is the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which weighs just 215g, making it extremely portable. In terms of battery capacity, the Vivo X-Fold 5 has the largest at 6,000 mAh, which gives it an advantage for extended use. In terms of camera resolution, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 has a 200MP main camera, which offers top-notch shooting performance. Meanwhile, the OPPO Find N5 has the largest main display size at 8.12 inches, which is favorable for content viewing and multitasking.

Apple is currently working on its first foldable iPhone, which is expected to be released as early as the second half of 2026. Apple is preparing a book-type form factor with a 7.8-inch internal display and a 5.5-inch external display supplied by Samsung Display, and it is expected to be the thinnest device ever made by Apple, with a thickness of approximately 4.5 millimeters when unfolded and 9 to 9.5 millimeters when folded. The foldable iPhone will be powered by the next-generation A20 or A21 Pro chipset and will feature an iOS custom UI optimized for foldable experience. Foxconn plans to begin mass production of foldable iPhone around September or October 2025, and the product is expected to cost about twice as much as the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Meanwhile, Apple’s entry into the foldable market is expected to have a major impact on the entire foldable phone market, and competition among global manufacturers is expected to be in full swing between 2025 and 2027. In particular, the points of competition in the foldable market are becoming increasingly clear.

Ultra-slim design is not just a design innovation but also requires lightweight and slimmer technologies for core components and materials such as ultra-thin glass (UTG), hinge structures, battery packs, and highly integrated FPCBs. Therefore, the future foldable competition is expected to be characterized not only by device perfection, but also by securing technology at the component and material level as a key differentiator. Battery performance is also an important competitive factor, with the Vivo X-Fold 5 featuring a large 6,000mAh battery for long-lasting use, while the OPPO Find N5 supports 80W wired charging and 50W wireless fast charging. In terms of camera performance, Samsung’s Fold 7 has the highest image quality among foldable phones, with a 200-megapixel (200MP) main camera. In terms of software and AI optimization, Samsung is actively applying Google Gemini-based Galaxy AI, while Apple is preparing a multi-screen iOS for foldable displays. Finally, durability and waterproofing and high prices remain the biggest weaknesses of foldable phones and will likely be the key to product differentiation in the future.

In the end, the market for foldable phones will evolve toward “thinner, lighter, and smarter,” with design sophistication, software integration, battery life, and AI utilization emerging as key competitive factors. Apple’s entry is likely to accelerate all these competitive points.

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

▶2025 Small OLED Display Annual Report Sample

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Samsung Display Makes Full-Scale Entry into Micro LED… Changing the Ecosystem

Samsung Display logo

Samsung Display held its first employee communication event, Detox (D- Talks), since President Lee Chung took office. At this event, President Lee clarified the future strategic direction of Samsung Display and expressed his strong will to sustainably expand global competitiveness through securing ultra-differentiated technologies. In particular, he emphasized the need for business diversification beyond the conventional OLED-centered structure in a situation where the display industry is rapidly undergoing a transition, and clearly mentioned the technological advancement and product expansion in the Micro LED field as part of such diversification.

President Lee Chung’s statement is more than a simple statement of direction; it can be taken as a declaration that Samsung Display will secure a competitive advantage in panels, materials, and processes in general, rather than simply supplying backplanes for the Micro LED business. This is interpreted as a signal that the Micro LED TV business, which has been led by Samsung Electronics, may break away from its focus on set manufacturing and expand into the overall display sector.

Samsung Electronics has been leading the Micro LED industry ecosystem domestically, but in terms of actual device supply and panel production, it has had to work with partner companies in Taiwan and China. (Taiwan) and Sanan Optoelectronics (China), and backplane drive technology cooperation with AUO (Taiwan) and BOE (China), reflecting the situation where Korea’s core components and materials ecosystem has not been fully internalized. While such cooperation has the advantage of global technology integration, it has been a disappointing structure in terms of technological independence of the domestic Micro LED industry and the establishment of an independent ecosystem.

With Samsung Display’s full-scale expansion of technology investment and clarification of its position on applying ultra-differentiated technology to Micro LEDs, the Korean ecosystem is expected to reach a qualitatively different turning point. Samsung Display already possesses the world’s best TFE (thin film encapsulation), LTPO, low power design, and backplane drive technologies for OLEDs, and these technologies can be applied to driving high resolution, improving yield, and ensuring transfer accuracy of Micro LED devices. In particular, highly integrated drive circuit design, ensuring low current drive characteristics, and process automation are areas of relative advantage for Samsung Display, which is based on OLED technology.

Beyond simple technological sophistication, Samsung Display’s participation may serve as a signal to promote stronger cooperation with Korean material, component, and equipment manufacturers. This could serve as a foundation for Samsung Electronics to simultaneously strengthen its internal technological capabilities and promote domestic production of its supply chain in core areas such as chip supply and demand, company-wide equipment, and process equipment, on which it has long relied externally, and in the long run could serve as a catalyst for the formation of a domestic Micro LED cluster.

President Lee’s comments can be interpreted as a strategic declaration to redefine the next-generation technology initiative in the display industry within the domestic ecosystem, beyond simply strengthening the development of Micro LED technology. In that Samsung Display has begun to seriously nurture a new axis of Micro LED in preparation for OLED and beyond, the time has come when new opportunities may open up not only for changes in the industrial foundation but also for small and medium-sized Korean partners and investors in the future.

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

▶UBI Research’s Micro Display Report

BOE Chairman Chen Yanshun Holds High-Level Meeting with Samsung Electronics’ VD Division — Signs of Improving Relations

BOE Chairman Chen Yanshun met with senior executives from Samsung Electronics’ Video Display (VD) division on June 30, according to industry sources. The meeting was attended by Chen and other top BOE executives, and was reportedly held to explore ways to improve relations and seek potential strategic cooperation between the two companies.

BOE is China’s largest display manufacturer, producing large-size LCD and OLED panels. The company maintains a strong presence in the domestic TV and IT display markets and supplies products to global clients. Samsung Electronics’ VD division, which oversees its TV business, has maintained the No.1 position in the global TV market for several years, making stable panel procurement a key strategic focus.

The meeting was part of a formal consultation between the two companies and is seen as a move to reset relations that have been relatively distant in recent years. Specific details or outcomes of the discussion were not disclosed.

Industry observers note that the direct involvement of Chairman Chen highlights BOE’s strong interest in restoring its business ties with Samsung Electronics. With Samsung also reviewing and restructuring its display supply chain, this meeting could mark an inflection point in the relationship between the two firms.

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

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Living Interface in Vehicles: The Future of UX Changed by Stretchable Micro LED

As displays have become a core interface that influences the overall user experience beyond a component of the vehicle interior, technological evolution is also reaching a new turning point. The technology at the center of this is ‘Stretchable Micro LED’. This display, which can be freely applied to curved surfaces as well as implemented with elasticity and three-dimensional physical manipulation, is drawing attention as the future of digital interfaces, especially in the automobile industry.

Initially, stretchable OLED based on organic materials was studied as a promising technology candidate. OLED has strengths in thin film and self-luminous structure, and is also relatively advanced in terms of yield. However, OLED has a structure that is vulnerable to moisture and oxygen, so TFE (Thin Film Encapsulation) is essential, and it is difficult for this encapsulation layer to secure both flexibility and stretchability. In particular, in an environment where the display is stretched, the encapsulation layer may crack or it is difficult to maintain uniformity, so the actual stretch ratio of OLED that can be stretched is limited to 10% or less. Accordingly, the industry has recently shifted its focus back to Micro LED, as research on stretchable displays that was once conducted based on OLED.

Stretchable OLED & Micro-LED

Stretchable OLED & Micro-LED

Micro LEDs are composed of inorganic-based components, so they can operate stably even in harsh environments inside a vehicle, such as high temperatures, vibrations, and ultraviolet rays. In fact, in 2023, Samsung Display unveiled an 11-inch stretchable micro LED prototype and demonstrated a stretch ratio of 25%.

However, stretchable micro LEDs are not yet technically complete. The most important challenge is productivity. Micro LED chips must be accurately transferred in millions of units, but if the substrate is a stretchable soft material, it is very difficult to secure transfer precision. Another challenge is cover fusion technology for implementing touch and operability. Since stretchable displays are implemented on soft substrates such as silicone rubber, they are fundamentally limited in terms of touch sensitivity and durability. In particular, to implement precise touch recognition or physical operability, a hard cover layer like glass is required. Accordingly, the industry is focusing on developing hybrid cover materials that can simultaneously satisfy flexibility and rigidity, and high-elasticity hard polymers and film-glass composite structures are being considered as viable alternatives.

A representative example that showed the practical possibility of stretchable displays is LG Display’s ‘3D interface type stretchable display’ unveiled at SID 2025. This technology has a structure in which the surface rises in response to the user’s movements, and has garnered attention as an HMI that can provide not only visual information but also physical feedback. Also, at CES 2025, AUO unveiled a ‘3D stretchable display’ with a similar concept. This display is composed of stretchable micro LEDs, and when the user touches or raises their hand, the display locally rises, allowing it to be operated like an actual button.

LGD 12-inch Stretchable Micro-LED@SID 2025

LGD 12-inch Stretchable Micro-LED@SID 2025

AUO 14.3-inch Stretchable Micro-LED @CES2025

AUO 14.3-inch Stretchable Micro-LED @CES2025

Automotive interiors are gradually evolving into ‘digital sculptures’, and displays are playing a central role in delivering real-time responsiveness and emotional experiences. Stretchable micro LEDs are not simply displays that can be stretched, but are evolving into ‘three-dimensional interfaces’ that can organically connect the entire physical space of a car. Although there are still technical challenges to be solved, if cover substrates, touch integration, and large-area precision transfer technologies are completed, this technology will become an essential core axis in future vehicle interior UX design.

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

▶2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis Report

TCL CSOT Establishes Investment Plan for 8.6-Generation Inkjet Printing OLED Line Worth RMB 20 Billion

Plans for 8.6G OLED Line Construction by Panel Makers

Plans for 8.6G OLED Line Construction by Panel Makers

Monthly Production Capacity of 45K; Equipment Installation Targeted for End of 2026

According to UBI Research’s China Market Trend Report, Chinese display company TCL CSOT (China Star Optoelectronics Technology) is planning to construct a new 8.6-generation (2290x2620mm) OLED line at the T8 site near its existing T9 OLED line in Guangzhou. This investment will be based on inkjet printing technology, with a Step 1 investment fund scale of approximately RMB 20 billion (approximately KRW 3.8 trillion).

The T8 site was initially intended to be converted for a solar project, but that plan has been put on hold, and the site will now be used for its originally planned OLED production line. The T8 project is designed to consist of two 8.6G OLED lines with a total monthly production capacity of 45,000 substrates (45K), and the initial investment will be made for one line.

The investment schedule for the T8 line includes an official announcement in July 2025, groundbreaking in October, and the start of equipment installation by the end of 2026. The general manager of the project has been appointed as Linpei (林佩), and the core inkjet process technology is being led by a Korean expert.

Inkjet printing technology is known for its approximately 30% lower equipment investment cost compared to the traditional mask-based deposition method. For example, Samsung Display is investing around KRW 4 trillion to build an 8.6-generation OLED line for IT applications (15K per month) at its A6 site in Asan, Chungcheongnam-do, based on the conventional deposition process. In contrast, TCL CSOT plans to adopt inkjet printing technology to secure a monthly production capacity of 45K at the 8.6-generation level, with an initial investment of RMB 20 billion.

Han Changwook, Executive Vice President of UBI Research, commented, “Inkjet OLED still faces technological challenges in brightness, lifespan, large-area uniformity, and yield. Nevertheless, China is positioning this differentiated technology from traditional deposition as a next-generation growth driver and, under strategic government support, is preparing for full-scale mass production. Through investments in inkjet technology by TCL CSOT and ViP (Visionox intelligent Pixelization) by Visionox, China is pushing ahead with the first mass production of large-area OLEDs, aiming to secure technological leadership.”

As demand for IT displays is expected to grow, it remains to be seen whether the commercialization of inkjet technology in large-area OLEDs will determine future market leadership.

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

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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)

▶UBI Research’s Micro Display Report

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)

▶2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis Report

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)

▶2025 Small OLED Display Annual Report Sample

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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)

▶2025 Small OLED Display Annual Report Sample

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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)

▶2025 Small OLED Display Annual Report Sample

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

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

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

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)

▶ China Trend Report Inquiry

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

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

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 & 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

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

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

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

“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.