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Presentation slide showing the application fields of printing technology for medium to large OLED displays at Display Korea 2026.

TCL CSOT Targets Medium and Large Display Market with Inkjet OLED… Proving Mass Production Competitiveness Remains Key Challenge

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At the keynote session of Display Korea 2026, held on March 12–13 and organized by UBI Research, Fu Dong, General Manager of Guangdong Juhua Printed Display Technology (Juhua), delivered a presentation titled “Development of Printed Display Technology.” He introduced the current development status of inkjet OLED technology and outlined its pathway toward commercialization.

Juhua General Manager Fu Dong presenting 'Application Field of Printing Technology' regarding medium-to-large inkjet printed OLEDs at Display Korea 2026

Fu Dong of Juhua introducing the application fields and industrialization direction of printed OLED technology during a keynote speech at ‘Display Korea 2026’ hosted by UBI Research. (Source: UBI Research)

Juhua, an affiliate of TCL CSOT, is a specialized R&D company focused on printed OLED technology. The company is actively advancing solution-processed OLED development while securing mass production capabilities. Centered in Guangzhou, Juhua is building both an R&D platform and an 8.6-generation production infrastructure, positioning itself to lead the commercialization of printed OLED.

Fu Dong emphasized that printed OLED represents a next-generation manufacturing technology capable of replacing conventional vacuum deposition processes. By depositing organic and inorganic materials in ink form, the process enables significant simplification and offers strong cost competitiveness, particularly for large-area applications.

In terms of technical achievements, he highlighted that a printing-based RGB architecture enables high-resolution implementation. Improvements in light efficiency and reductions in internal optical loss have enhanced power efficiency, while advancements in material performance have extended device lifetime.

TCL CSOT officially announced the mass production of printed OLED in 2024 and is establishing a production system based on its Guangzhou 8.6-generation line in 2025. This marks a clear transition of printed OLED from the R&D phase to early-stage mass production.

However, inkjet OLED still faces several technical challenges. These include film stability during ink deposition and drying, precision limitations in high-resolution patterning, the lifetime and efficiency of blue emitters, and achieving uniformity and yield in large-area processes. To address these issues, key approaches include improving printhead precision, advancing compensation algorithms, developing multi-component ink systems, introducing solution-processable blue materials, and adopting tandem structures. These are considered optimal strategies for simultaneously improving performance and ensuring production stability.

Since these challenges cannot be resolved through process innovation alone, they are expected to become critical factors determining future mass production competitiveness. Ultimately, the success of printed OLED will depend not merely on process simplification or cost reduction, but on the ability to translate these advantages into stable yield and product reliability.

As the 8.6-generation IT OLED market continues to expand, how TCL CSOT addresses these technical challenges will be a key point of industry attention.

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

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Diagram comparing Traditional OLED and Plasmon OLED, highlighting the paradigm shift where photons are created outside the OLED pixel.

UDC Presents Phosphorescent OLED Innovation at Display Korea 2026: Plasmonic OLED Signals Next Leap Toward Next-Generation Displays

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Comparison between traditional OLED and UDC's Plasmonic OLED, illustrating the paradigm shift of light being generated outside the OLED pixel

UDC’s Plasmonic OLED architecture presented at Display Korea 2026. It presents a paradigm shift where photons are created outside the OLED, drastically improving efficiency and lifespan. (Source: UDC)

Universal Display Corporation (UDC) Vice President Mike Hack delivered a keynote address at Display Korea 2026 on March 12th, presenting the current state of phosphorescent OLED (PHOLED) technology and the key achievements of its next-generation Plasmonic OLED architecture under the theme “Accelerating Industry Growth through Advances in Phosphorescent OLED Performance.”

UDC outlined how the OLED display ecosystem is rapidly diversifying — from single-stack PHOLEDs to Tandem OLEDs, phosphorescent-sensitized fluorescence (PSF), expanded pixel structures, and Plasmonic OLEDs. Across all of these architectures, UDC’s phosphorescent emitter materials serve as the central enabler of energy efficiency.

According to UDC, its red and green PHOLED materials have achieved more than an 8x improvement in efficiency and over a 60,000x increase in lifetime since initial commercialization. On a 5-inch smartphone display basis, this has translated into approximately 72% lower power consumption in 2025 compared to 2015. The company projects an additional ~25% power reduction when blue PHOLED is introduced alongside red and green.

UDC has also integrated AI and machine learning across its entire materials discovery cycle to accelerate development. Through a stepwise screening funnel — from molecular generation through ML filtering, quantum chemical evaluation, synthesis, and device qualification — the company can efficiently identify optimal candidate molecules from an enormous chemical design space.

The centerpiece of the presentation was UDC’s proprietary Plasmonic OLED architecture. In conventional OLEDs, photons are generated inside the emissive device. In the Plasmonic OLED, excitons couple to plasmons at a metal surface and are converted into photons outside the device. This mechanism dramatically shortens exciton lifetime, improving device stability, while a novel outcoupling structure recovers energy that would otherwise be lost — fundamentally raising the theoretical efficiency ceiling beyond what chemistry alone can achieve.

Data presented by UDC demonstrated that the green Plasmonic PHOLED achieves greater than 25% external quantum efficiency (EQE) while delivering a 5x lifetime improvement over the 2024 commercial specification. Efficiency roll-off under high-bright conditions was also significantly reduced compared to conventional PHOLEDs, confirming the architecture’s suitability for high-luminance applications. Additionally, color shift versus viewing angle was shown to be imperceptible, a meaningful advantage over conventional top-emitting microcavity structures.

According to UBI Research analysis, UDC’s announcement clearly signals that leadership in the OLED materials industry is shifting beyond conventional molecular chemistry design toward device architecture innovation that redefines the very physics of light emission. The Plasmonic OLED is notable for offering a structural solution that simultaneously improves efficiency, lifetime, and viewing angle characteristics — with the potential to reach performance levels comparable to Tandem OLED designs without the associated process complexity and cost burden. As UDC advances both the commercialization of phosphorescent blue PHOLED and the mass-production readiness of Plasmonic OLED structures in parallel, the timing of technology collaboration and adoption by major panel makers such as Samsung Display and LG Display will be among the most closely watched developments in the industry.

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

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Attendees exploring the latest Micro LED and OLED ecosystem technologies at the Display Korea 2026 exhibition booths.

Display Korea 2026 Brings Together the Next-Generation Display Ecosystem… Comprehensive Technology Competition from Materials to Equipment and Applications

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Hosted by UBI Research, Display Korea 2026 drew attention as a platform where the latest technology trends and value chain of the next-generation display industry—centered on OLED and Micro LED—could be examined at a glance. The exhibition featured a wide range of companies spanning materials, equipment, inspection solutions, and finished products, presenting the expansion trajectory of the display ecosystem.

Cedar Electronics demonstrating COB-based Micro LED MiP (Micro-LED in Package) ultra-fine pitch display technology at Display Korea 2026. (Source: UBI Research)

Cedar Electronics demonstrating COB-based Micro LED MiP (Micro-LED in Package) ultra-fine pitch display technology at Display Korea 2026. (Source: UBI Research)

In terms of finished products and display technologies, Micro LED and next-generation applications emerged as key themes. Cedar Electronics showcased an ultra-fine pitch display based on COB-type Micro LED MiP (Micro-LED in Package) technology, highlighting solutions targeting commercial displays as well as control room and broadcasting markets, leveraging high brightness and contrast. Its Korean partner, FO&T, served as a key channel for expanding this technology within Korea.

Samsung Display presented Micro LED displays for wearables along with next-generation form factor technologies, outlining its expansion strategy toward automotive and ultra-small display applications.

Cambridge Isotope Laboratories (CIL) booth introducing Deuterium-based materials to improve OLED lifespan and efficiency

Cambridge Isotope Laboratories (CIL) presenting Deuterium-based materials and global supply capabilities for OLED performance improvement. (Source: UBI Research)

In the materials sector, core chemical technologies that determine OLED performance were emphasized. Cambridge Isotope Laboratories (CIL) introduced its global supply capabilities centered on deuterium-based materials, which can enhance OLED lifetime and efficiency. In particular, the company highlighted its cost competitiveness and environmental sustainability through deuterated compound recovery technologies and production infrastructure.

LORDIN booth exhibiting next-generation high-efficiency OLED materials, including blue emitting materials and Pt dopants

LORDIN outlining strategies to secure next-generation high-efficiency OLED materials, including blue emitting materials, Pt dopants, and Deuterium-based compounds. (Source: UBI Research)

LORDIN also demonstrated its presence in OLED emissive materials, presenting Pt dopants and host materials—including blue emissive materials—alongside deuterium-based compounds. The company outlined its strategy for securing next-generation high-efficiency OLED materials and expanding its global supply chain.

FlexiGO booth demonstrating environmental test equipment to verify the durability of foldable and rollable displays

FlexiGO showcasing repetitive rolling and sliding environmental test equipment for reliability evaluation of foldable and rollable displays. (Source: UBI Research)

In the equipment and inspection solution segment, technologies addressing evolving form factors stood out. FlexiGO introduced environmental reliability testing equipment designed for foldable and rollable displays. The system enables repeated rolling and sliding tests under controlled temperature and humidity conditions, offering a solution optimized for durability validation of next-generation displays.

ISSOFT booth exhibiting imaging photometry and colorimetry measurement equipment for precise analysis of display luminance and uniformity

ISSOFT introducing precision measurement technology for analyzing OLED and Micro LED luminance and uniformity based on imaging photometry and colorimetry. (Source: UBI Research)

ISSOFT showcased imaging-based luminance and chromaticity measurement equipment capable of precise analysis of brightness, uniformity, and mura characteristics, emphasizing the growing importance of quality evaluation for OLED and Micro LED displays.

Optiple booth demonstrating light transmittance control dimming film technology to improve visibility for XR devices and smart eyewear

Optiple revealing dimming film technology that actively controls light transmittance based on the external environment to improve the UX of XR devices. (Source: UBI Research)

Optical and user experience enhancement technologies also gained attention. Optiple unveiled a dimming film capable of actively controlling light transmittance based on ambient conditions. This technology improves visibility and reduces glare in XR devices, smart eyewear, and automotive displays, positioning itself as a key enabler of next-generation user experience.

Visitors experiencing AR glasses based on PinTILT optical technology at the LetinAR booth

LetinAR showcasing AR glasses equipped with hybrid PinTILT optical technology, which combines the advantages of waveguide and Birdbath methods. (Source: UBI Research)

LetinAR introduced two AR glasses incorporating its proprietary optical technology, presenting a new direction for XR optics. Its PinTILT technology combines the advantages of waveguide and birdbath optics in a hybrid structure, enabling low power consumption, lightweight design, and slim eyewear form factors. The technology is compatible with various display types—including commercial OLEDoS, Micro LED, LCOS, and LCD—enhancing flexibility for future AR glasses commercialization.

Display Korea 2026 ultimately provided a comprehensive view of the technological trends and value chain shaping the next-generation display industry, centered on OLED and Micro LED. Participating companies presented advancements in high-efficiency materials, reliability testing equipment, optical performance enhancement, and applications across XR, wearables, and automotive displays. The event underscored a clear shift in industry competition—from individual panel performance toward the overall technological completeness and application scalability of the entire ecosystem.

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

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Samsung Display executive presenting various types of FMM-less color patterning technologies to an audience at the Display Korea 2026 conference.

[Display Korea 2026] Limitations of FMM in OLED Processes Become Clear, Samsung Display Presents ‘FMM-less’ Solution

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Samsung Display presenting 'Types of FMM-less Color Patterning' including Lift-Off and Ink-jet technologies at Display Korea 2026

Samsung Display Vice President So Byung-soo presenting the types and directions of FMM-less patterning technology for next-generation OLED manufacturing at ‘Display Korea 2026’ hosted by UBI Research. (Source: UBI Research)

Samsung Display has outlined the necessity and direction of FMM-less patterning as a next-generation OLED manufacturing technology. At Display Korea 2026, hosted by UBI Research, Executive Vice President Byungsoo So of Samsung Display highlighted the technological evolution of the OLED industry, pointing out the limitations of conventional FMM (Fine Metal Mask)-based processes and emphasizing the importance of next-generation patterning technologies to replace them.

OLED displays are rapidly evolving toward ultra-high resolution, large-area IT applications, higher luminance and improved power efficiency, as well as free-form form factors. In line with these trends, high brightness and power efficiency have become key competitive factors, while curved and free-form designs are emerging as important trends in automotive displays.

These technological demands are exposing structural limitations in conventional FMM-based deposition processes. FMM processes face constraints in achieving high aperture ratios and encounter difficulties in reducing the PDL (Pixel Define Layer) gap. In addition, physical issues such as mask sagging, shadow effects, tensile deformation, and frame deformation limit both high-resolution implementation and large-area scalability. Furthermore, complex mask handling and high operational costs remain ongoing challenges.

Against this backdrop, Samsung Display expects FMM-less patterning technologies to become a core enabler of next-generation OLED manufacturing. FMM-less approaches enable more flexible pixel design, reduce PDL gaps, and achieve higher aperture ratios. They are also advantageous for large-area OLED production, making them critical for the expansion of IT and TV markets.

So also presented three key directions for future OLED technology development: “Value Up,” “New Generation,” and “ECO+.” “Value Up” refers to high resolution, high brightness, and long lifetime. “New Generation” indicates expansion into large-area 8.x generation substrates, large panels, and free-form displays. “ECO+” focuses on reducing IR drop and improving power efficiency to enable low-power operation.

He further illustrated the limitations of FMM by analyzing the relationship between resolution and PDL gap. As resolution increases, reducing the PDL gap becomes essential; however, FMM processes face limitations in scaling below a certain threshold, restricting high-resolution implementation. These limitations are particularly pronounced in ultra-high-resolution applications such as VR/AR, making the transition to FMM-less technologies inevitable.

In conclusion, Samsung Display defined the transition from FMM to FMM-less as a critical evolution in the OLED industry. To simultaneously meet the performance and productivity requirements of next-generation displays, the adoption of new patterning technologies that overcome the limitations of conventional processes is essential, with FMM-less technologies expected to play a central role.

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

▶2026 Small OLED Display Annual Report

▶101 inch Micro-LED Set BOM Cost Analysis For TVs

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LG Display executive presenting GIP technology and next-generation large OLED strategies at the Display Korea 2026 conference.

LG Display Accelerates Evolution of Large OLED TVs with Tandem WOLED… “Technology Accumulation Is the Essence of Competitiveness”

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OLED TV Competition Shifts from ‘Size’ to ‘Completeness’

LG Display is strengthening its technological competitiveness in the large OLED TV market. At the keynote session of Display Korea 2026 (March 12–13, EL Tower, Seoul), hosted by UBI Research, LG Display presented the technological evolution path and next-generation strategy for large OLEDs in detail.

Shin Hong-jae, Research Fellow at LG Display, introduced a product roadmap expanding from 55-inch OLED TVs in 2013 to 97-inch models under the theme “From 55 to 97 Inches.” He emphasized that the essence of competition in large OLED is no longer simply about scaling up size, but about achieving overall completeness, including image quality, efficiency, reliability, and driving stability.

Shin stated, “The technological evolution of large OLED is not yet complete,” and outlined key future tasks, including high-mobility oxide TFTs, high-efficiency OLED structures, real-time compensation technologies, and bezel-less design. This suggests that large OLED remains a technologically demanding field requiring both process stabilization and performance improvement simultaneously.

LG Display Research Fellow Shin Hong-jae presenting next-generation large OLED development directions, including GIP technology, at Display Korea 2026

LG Display Research Fellow Shin Hong-jae introducing the development direction and key tasks for next-generation large OLEDs during a keynote speech at ‘Display Korea 2026’ hosted by UBI Research. (Source: UBI Research)

Tandem WOLED: A Core Pillar of OLED TV Competitiveness

Shin announced that LG Display has developed a large OLED panel achieving a peak brightness of 4,500 nits and a reflectance of 0.3%, significantly improving visibility even under ambient light conditions. This performance improvement is enabled by combining a tandem emission structure, pixel design, and compensation algorithms, allowing individual control of all 33 million pixels.

Large OLED: From ‘Panel Technology’ to ‘System Technology’

The evolution of LG Display’s large OLED should be understood not as a single technological advancement but from an integrated system perspective. LG Display has improved not only the emission structure but also Oxide TFT, GIP (Gate Driver In Panel), compensation circuits, and driving schemes to enhance overall performance.

Since large panels are highly sensitive to process variations that directly impact image quality, compensation technologies and driving algorithms play a critical role. LG Display has achieved simultaneous improvements in brightness, viewing angle, and bezel reduction through structural innovations. This demonstrates that OLED TV competition is shifting from panel performance to system-level design that determines actual viewing quality.

Next-Generation OLED: Balancing Performance and Cost

Shin also addressed the direction of next-generation W-OLED technology. While additional stacking of emission layers has already been secured technically, commercialization will be determined based on a comprehensive evaluation of performance and cost. This indicates that the large OLED market has entered a phase where both manufacturing efficiency and cost competitiveness are as critical as technological advancement.

Although OLED TVs have grown based on the premium segment, intensifying competition with Mini-LED LCD is making price competitiveness an increasingly important factor. Future technological directions are expected to focus not only on structural advancements but also on achieving an optimal balance between market viability and manufacturing efficiency.

Application Expansion: Key to Restructuring Profit Model

The expansion of application areas for large OLED was also highlighted as a key strategy. Transparent displays were presented as a promising application for integrating space and information in show windows, exhibitions, transportation, and smart buildings. Gaming OLED was also emphasized as a high-value-added market.

LG Display set a shipment target of approximately 7 million OLED units, including TVs and monitors, representing about a 10% increase year-over-year, with a plan to gradually increase the share of monitor OLED. This indicates that LG Display’s large OLED business is evolving from a TV-centric structure toward diversified applications, reshaping its profit model.

Conclusion: The Essence of OLED Competition Lies in Continuous Technological Accumulation

LG Display’s evolution in large OLED technology clearly demonstrates that it is not the result of a single breakthrough, but rather long-term technological accumulation and process stabilization. Only through the organic integration of emission structures, TFTs, circuits, algorithms, design, and applications can a highly complete product be realized.

LG Display is expected to further solidify its leadership in the large OLED market by enhancing the performance of Tandem WOLED and expanding its application scope.

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

▶2026 Small OLED Display Annual Report

▶101 inch Micro-LED Set BOM Cost Analysis For TVs

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