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BOE presentation slide at ICDT 2026 comparing anti-reflection methods and highlighting the transmission rate advantages of COE over CPOL.

[ICDT 2026] BOE Highlights Low Reflectance as the Key for Ultra-Large OLEDs… Proposes COE Technology as a Solution

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BOE presenting a comparison of anti-reflection methods including CPOL, COE, and Semi-Transparent Film at ICDT 2026

At ICDT 2026, BOE presented a polarizer-free structure using COE and Semi-Transparent Films as a solution for reducing reflection in large-size OLEDs, replacing the traditional CPOL structure. (Source: UBI Research)

At ICDT 2026, BOE presented “Application of ACR Optimization Technology for Wide Viewing Angle in Large-Size OLED Displays,” emphasizing low reflectance and improved ACR (Ambient Contrast Ratio) as key competitive factors for ultra-large OLED displays.

As the ultra-large display market expands into ultra-large TVs, commercial signage, and video walls, visibility in various environments is becoming more important than simple brightness competition. In environments with indoor lighting or external light sources, reflected light can significantly degrade image quality, making effective reflection control a critical technology.

To address this issue, BOE focused on the structural differences in reflectance characteristics in ultra-large OLEDs. In conventional OLEDs, surface reflection and internal reflection appear together, but in ultra-large OLEDs, diffuse reflection becomes the dominant reflection component due to the AG (Anti-Glare) layer and diffusion layer. BOE therefore emphasized that reducing internal reflection itself, rather than simply lowering surface reflection, is the key to improving ACR.

BOE also announced that it has developed an 81-inch P0.9 ultra-large OLED display with a reflectance of 6.9% and an ACR of over 200:1 under 100 lux conditions. The company stated that the display also achieved brightness above 500 nits and a lifetime exceeding 50,000 hours, making it suitable for commercial display environments.

In addition, seamless tiling is important for ultra-large displays. To achieve this, bezel reduction and a lower aperture ratio are both required. However, as the aperture ratio decreases, transmittance can also decline and affect lifetime, meaning that balancing reflectance, transmittance, and lifetime is essential.

In this context, BOE pointed out the limitations of conventional panel structures using CPOL (circular polarizer). While CPOL is effective in suppressing reflection, its relatively low transmittance makes it difficult to satisfy the lifetime and brightness requirements simultaneously in ultra-large displays.

As an alternative to CPOL, BOE proposed a non-polarizer structure using COE (Color Filter on Encapsulation) and semi-transparent film. According to BOE, this structure is more suitable for ultra-large OLEDs because it can secure lifetime and brightness through higher transmittance while also effectively controlling reflectance.

The non-polarizer approach proposed by BOE can address reflectance, transmittance, lifetime, and seamless tiling requirements simultaneously in ultra-large OLEDs. A structure using COE and semi-transparent film could be considered a more suitable solution for ultra-large OLEDs than conventional CPOL, and may become an important factor in the development of ultra-large commercial OLED displays.

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

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Conceptual illustration of the iPhone Air display market showing Samsung and LG as primary suppliers and BOE as a future contender.

iPhone 18 Air Maintains a Conservative Display Strategy… COE Adoption Delayed

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The iPhone 18 Air supply chain led by Samsung and LG Display, with BOE expected to enter after 2028

Samsung and LG will dominate the iPhone 18 Air supply chain as it retains existing panels, while BOE’s entry with COE tech is expected after 2028. (Created by Google Gemini 3)

The iPhone 18 Air, scheduled for release in the second half of 2026, is reportedly being developed with the same OLED panel used in its predecessor, the iPhone 17 Air. Rather than changing the panel itself, Apple is leaning toward a strategy that replaces only part of the module while reusing the existing panel. The fact that inventory of the previous-generation panels still remains is also believed to have influenced this decision.

Specification changes are likewise expected to focus more on usability improvements than on a full overhaul of display specifications. Industry sources suggest that the iPhone 18 Air will feature a dual-camera setup and increased speaker capacity. As a result, the Air model is likely to enhance overall product appeal by optimizing key components, without undergoing major structural changes.

This approach is closely linked to the timeline for adopting COE (Color on Encapsulation) technology. While COE application had previously been discussed for iPhones around 2027, current expectations point to a delay, pushing adoption to 2028 or later. In particular, the iPhone 17 Air series reportedly recorded annual panel shipments only slightly above 10 million units—the lowest volume among the iPhone lineup—making early adoption of new processes and technologies a potential burden. Given the limited volume of the Air series, prioritizing stable supply and cost efficiency over taking early process-transition risks appears to be a natural decision.

The panel supply chain is expected to remain centered on Samsung Display and LG Display, as in previous years. OLED panels for the iPhone 18 Air are likely to be supplied by Samsung Display and LG Display, while BOE is widely seen as having a low likelihood of entering the supply chain at this stage. BOE is preparing to supply Apple OLED panels with COE applied from 2028 onward, and accordingly, expectations are that BOE’s participation in supplying panels for the Air series would also come after 2028 at the earliest.

Changes in the launch strategy are also drawing attention. Starting with the iPhone 18, the “normal” model is expected to move away from the traditional simultaneous fall launch alongside other models. Instead, it is likely to be released together with the iPhone e series in the first half of the following year, with two models launching simultaneously. By reorganizing the lineup on a semiannual basis, Apple appears to be aiming to spread demand more evenly and improve efficiency in production and inventory management across models.

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

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

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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)

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Samsung Electronics widens the technology gap by applying new technology to ‘Galaxy Z Fold3’.

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According to the ‘2021 OLED Components and Materials Report’ recently published by UBI Research, the ‘Galaxy Z Fold3’, which is expected to be released by Samsung Electronics in August, has UPC (under panel camera) and pol-less (or color filter on) encapsulation, COE) and S Pen technology are expected to be newly applied.

First, UPC, a technology that realizes the full screen of a smartphone by placing the front camera under the screen, has been mentioned using a transparent PI substrate and various technologies such as laser patterning, but in the end, the cathode electrode is patterned with a laser and the resolution near the camera is different. Thus, it seems that the maximum transmittance was secured. It is analyzed that the transparent PI substrate was not applied to the mass production process due to the high process temperature of the TFT.

Although many panel makers have developed pol-less technology, which replaces polarizers with color filters and low-reflection technologies, they could not be applied because they did not show as much anti-reflection effect as polarizers. The polarizing plate is effective in preventing external light reflection, but reduces the amount of light emitted from the OLED light emitting layer by more than 50%. If the polarizer is removed, more light can be emitted with the same power to the outside, so if the same luminance is implemented, battery consumption can be reduced. Samsung Display seems to have implemented pol-less technology by applying color filters, low-reflection films, and black pixel define layer (PDL).

The S Pen is finally applied with an electro-magnetic resonance (EMR) method, and the 30 um thick product used in the previous work is expected to be used as it is for the UTG. The AES method, which does not require a digitizer, was also considered due to the flexibility issue of the digitizer made of metal, but it is expected that the S Pen will eventually be applied in such a way that the digitizer is located on both sides of the panel.

The ‘2021 OLED Components and Materials Report’ published this time includes not only the development trend of foldable OLED, but also the development trend of mobile devices and materials for TV. It is expected to be of great help to related companies.

<‘Galaxy Z Fold3’ Expected Structure ©2021 UBI Research>