Posts

Exhibition scenes from Touch Taiwan 2026 showcasing next-generation Micro-LED displays and automotive smart cockpits by AUO, Innolux, and PlayNitride.

Touch Taiwan 2026: Micro-LED Exhibition Products and New Application Technology Trends

/in , /by

The Touch Taiwan 2026 exhibition was held on April 8 at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center in Taiwan. Going beyond a simple display event, the exhibition took place as an electronics technology industry event under the theme of “Innovation Together,” covering the fields of smart displays, electronic production equipment, and eco-friendly smart manufacturing.

While AUO focused on automotive solutions last year, this year appeared to be focused on the commercialization of transparent display products. Transparent Micro-LED displays have higher transmittance and lower manufacturing costs compared to transparent OLEDs, making them easier to commercialize.

Transparent Micro-LED based CrystalForest Display installed at the front of the AUO booth at Touch Taiwan 2026

AUO’s transparent Micro-LED panel ‘CrystalForest Display’ showcased at Touch Taiwan 2026, highlighting various everyday applications such as commercialization and smart living. (Source: UBI Research)

The CrystalForest Display in the photo above is a transparent micro-LED panel that allows the sharing of reality and digital information through a single perspective, expressing the shift of the future from technology to human life. Through transparent displays, various applications necessary for daily life, such as entertainment and smart living, were showcased, including a 64” sports AR solution, a 42” AI Translator, a 30” Interactive AR Box, Crystal Tree, and a 16.1” dual-sided display.

Similar to last year, Innolux showcased CarUX’s high-resolution displays and intelligent smart cockpit systems targeting the automotive market through its subsidiary, CarUX, under the slogan “Pioneering in-Car User eXperience.” Additionally, retail and public display exhibitions were held featuring mirrors and transparent displays. Home application products, such as the 85” InnoScenery and Dressing Mirror, which combine LCD panels with AI technology, were also on display.

A car equipped with high-resolution displays and an intelligent smart cockpit system presented by Innolux's subsidiary, CarUX

A vehicle equipped with an intelligent smart cockpit system exhibited by CarUX, an Innolux subsidiary. It targets the automotive market under the slogan ‘Pioneering in-Car User eXperience’. (Source: UBI Research)

Innolux's immersive interactive art display 'Fairy Walk Micro-LED Display' revealed at Touch Taiwan 2026

Innolux’s ‘Fairy Walk Micro-LED Display: Immersive Interactive Art’. (Source: UBI Research)

Playnitride exhibited an 89” Micro-LED for TVs, a 0.18” Full-color Microdisplay for AR, a 1.39” smartwatch, a 38” Head-up Display, a 19” Invisible Display, and an Octagon transparent display.

Automotive Micro-LED display solutions, including a 38-inch Head-up Display, exhibited by PlayNitride at Touch Taiwan 2026

Automotive Micro-LED display showcased by PlayNitride. (Source: UBI Research)

At the recent Touch Taiwan exhibition, the application, advantages, and importance of Micro-LED technology in the field of semiconductor CPO technology were introduced. Both Playnitride and AUO were focusing on developing Micro-LED CPO technology as a new business.

This signifies the expansion of display process technology into the semiconductor packaging sector. Glass substrate manufacturing equipment and materials designed to maximize AI semiconductor performance, such as FOPLP (Fan-Out Panel Level Packaging) and TGV (Through-Glass Electrode), appeared as key themes. The exhibition demonstrated that Micro-LED is beginning to enter a new market segment by integrating with semiconductor CPO technology.

PlayNitride's exhibition panel introducing the technical advantages of Micro-LED Arrays, such as low power consumption, in the semiconductor CPO (Co-Packaged Optics) technology field

Advantages of Micro-LED Arrays in CPO (Co-Packaged Optics) technology introduced at the PlayNitride booth. It demonstrates the expansion of display processes into the semiconductor packaging field. (Source: UBI Research)

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

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

▶Industry Trends and Technology of Micro-LED Displays for XR Report

※ This article is produced by UBIResearchNet.

Unauthorized reproduction or citation without source attribution is prohibited.

When quoting, please clearly indicate the source (UBIResearchNet) and provide a link.

Composite image of Garmin Fenix 8 Pro Micro-LED smartwatch showing front face and side view for outdoor visibility (Source: Garmin)

When will the commercialization competition of Micro-LED smartwatch products become feasible?

/in , /by

The development of Micro-LED-based smartwatches has continued since 2020 through prototype exhibitions, and their high brightness characteristics led to high expectations for commercialization. Previously, companies like KONKA, AUO, Innolux, and Apple had attempted development or commercialization. However, when Apple halted its own development in early 2024, the difficulties of the Micro-LED manufacturing process and high cost issues came to the fore, suggesting that commercialization of Micro-LED smartwatches would require more time.

Assorted Micro-LED smartwatch prototypes from multiple vendors

Assorted Micro-LED smartwatch prototypes from multiple vendors

However, sports smart wearable brand Garmin launched the world’s first Micro-LED smartwatch, the ‘Fenix 8 Pro’, in September this year. It is currently retailing for approximately 13,000 yuan on Chinese online shopping platforms. Garmin’s September launch sent a significant signal to the market, demonstrating that Micro-LED technology has secured commercial viability in the smartwatch sector.  Of course, there are still many areas requiring improvement. Nevertheless, beyond AUO, which is already in mass production, companies like PlayNitride, Innolux, Samsung Display, TCL CSOT, and Tianma are actively entering the market and accelerating efforts to commercialize Micro-LED smartwatches. By late 2023, AUO had already achieved mass production of Micro-LED watch panels. In its subsequent production plans, AUO’s 4.5-generation Micro-LED production line is scheduled to enter mass production this year, with products covering smartwatches and large TVs. At CES 2025, Samsung Display showcased a watch prototype (2.1 inches, 418×540 resolution, 326 ppi) developed over years of Micro-LED technology advancement. Chinese home appliance company KONKA also unveiled its Micro-LED watch, the APHAEA Watch, in 2020. The Chongqing KONKA Optoelectronics Technology Research Institute is enhancing core technologies to reduce manufacturing costs. PlayNitride has positioned smartwatches as a key growth driver this year, exhibiting a 1.39-inch smartwatch panel at Touch Taiwan 2025. This product applies high-efficiency, low-power ‘Tantium’ chip technology to achieve high resolution and 5,000 nits peak brightness, presenting a new solution that simultaneously delivers low power consumption and high image quality for wearable devices. Innolux has also developed 1.1-inch and 1.39-inch Micro-LED displays with integrated touch sensors. Tianma has established a dedicated Micro-LED research institute and is exploring new application areas like smartwatches, in addition to automotive applications.

Garmin Fenix 8 Pro Micro-LED smartwatch (Source: Garmin)

Garmin Fenix 8 Pro Micro-LED smartwatch (Source: Garmin)

Garmin has pioneered Micro-LED in smartwatches, but who will be the next contender for Micro-LED smartwatches? When will commercialization competition become feasible? Significant hurdles remain. Developed watch panels (326~338 PPI) achieve high brightness levels of 4,000~6,000 nits. However, to compete with existing OLED products, Micro-LED chip and manufacturing costs must be reduced, and power consumption characteristics must be improved. Recent announcements from Micro-LED technology companies clearly outline and are actively pursuing solutions to overcome these cost challenges. The mid-to-long-term strategy for Micro-LED smartwatches is to build integrated technological capabilities combining Micro-LED technology with health monitoring sensors. Long-term, as chip miniaturization technology matures and the advantages of sensor integration are fully realized, Micro-LED is expected to break free from its niche market limitations and expand into the broader wearable product market. UBI Research analyzed that the Micro-LED smartwatch market will fully open starting in 2028.

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

▶2025 Micro-LED Display Industry and Technology Trends Report

※ This article is produced by UBIResearchNet.
Unauthorized reproduction or citation without source attribution is prohibited.
When quoting, please clearly indicate the source (UBIResearchNet) and provide a link.

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

/in , /by

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Innolux, 204” 8K Micro-LED Display

Innolux, 204” 8K Micro-LED Display

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

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

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

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

Innolux, 48” Windshield Reflective Solution

Innolux, 48” Windshield Reflective Solution

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

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

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

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

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

▶Micro-LED Display Technologies for XR Applications Report Sample

CES 2025 becomes a competition hall for panoramic HUDs

/in , /by

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

Display for automobiles, newly expected revenue sources of OLED

/in , /by

Display market for global automobiles has continued stable growth of approximately 10% yearly recently, and LG Display and Samsung Display do not save investments by paying attention to it as new application. In this regard, Senior Researcher Yang Seong-jin of LG Economic Research Institute lighted up the entry reason of display for automobiles such like creating effects of new revenue are anticipated.

Senior Researcher Yang said “Display market for automobiles has 10% volume of the whole display market and belongs to 2% levels of total cost, but automotive industry has been developed steadily through smart-car and connected-car etc. In contrast, display market has been withered gradually, and panel prices are being lowered continuously, and thus it is directly connecting to survival matters actually.” While stating display market for automobiles as an alternative for this problem, he revealed the reason by saying “The number of participating companies is a few, and average price of display panels for automobiles to which thorough commercialization is required is higher than mobile phone or tablet pc two or three times.”

In display market for automobiles, Innolux and AUO, CPT, Japan display, Sharp occupied about 70% of total market based on 2015 sales of Taiwan, and LG Display recorded 10% share uniquely in domestic, but Samsung Display, second mover, failed in entering ranks. However, LG Display announced a plan that they were planning to enter the market with POLED to which flexible function was available after having designated display for automobiles as a promotion business, and Samsung Display was known to set up a policy of progressing differentiation strategies on display for automobiles based on small& medium OLED technology, so market share is expected to be increased little by little.

<LG Display/Flexible Automotive Display, SID 2015>

In the display market having been stagnated currently, concentration on display market for automobiles would be resultantly necessary for high profits, and OLED panel could get opportunities of creating new revenue sources by overpassing mobile and tablet pc market, if OLED panel solves demanding requirements of display for automobiles.

Taiwan’s Q2 2016 LCD Shipment, Small to Medium Size ↓, Large Size ↑…Business Profit of AUO, Innolux, etc. Reduced

/0 Comments/in /by
Taiwanese panel industry recorded decreased small to medium size LCD panel shipment and increased shipment of 9 inch or bigger large size LCD panel. (Picture Source = AUO)

Taiwanese panel industry in recorded decreased small to medium size LCD panel shipment and increased shipment of 9 inch or bigger large size LCD panel. (Picture Source = AUO)

 

Hyunjoo Kang / jjoo@olednet.com

In Q2 2016, Taiwanese panel industry recorded decreased small to medium size LCD panel shipment and increased shipment of 9 inch or bigger large size panel.

According to DigiTimes, Taiwanese TFT-LCD panel companies shipped 58.38 million units of ≥ 9 inch panels in Q2 2016, an increase of 18.1% QoQ, and 0.8% increase YoY. The small to medium size panel shipment was 269.249 million units, a decrease of 0.5% QoQ, and 6.3% decrease YoY.

In terms of small to medium size, ≤ 9 inch, Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT) led the shipment volume with 100.56 million units, and HannStar Display followed with 67.892 million units in Q2. For LCD panels ≥ 9 inch, AUO led the Taiwanese market with Q2 shipment of 27.11 million units. Of these 7.176 million units are for TV, and the rest are for notebook, monitor, and tablet. Following AUO, Innolux recorded 27.09 million units of shipment. Of these 10.72 million units are for TV, and the rest are for notebook, monitor, and tablet.

According to companies’ recent Q2 performance announcement, key Taiwanese LCD companies, including AUO and Innolux, reported decreased business profit. AUO reported TWD 80,000 million in Q2 sales, a 13% fall YoY, and TWD 116 million in business profit, approximately 98% decrease YoY. Innolux showed TWD 66,800 million in Q2 sales, decrease of approximately 29%, and business loss of TWD 3,039 million.