Posts

Apple's iPhone Air representing the shift in the OLED supply chain towards premium models for the upcoming iPhone 18 series.

iPhone Air Fades Out… Apple Reinforces Pro-Centric Strategy in iPhone 18 Lineup

/in , /by
Apple's iPhone Air faces a significant panel inventory due to low sales. With Apple strengthening its premium-centric strategy, production plans for the Air are virtually halted for this year. (Image source: GSMArena)

With the iPhone Air facing high inventory issues, Apple is restructuring its OLED supply chain to prioritize high-margin Pro, Pro Max, and Foldable models for the iPhone 18 series. (Image source: GSMArena)

Apple’s OLED supply chain for upcoming iPhones is being strategically restructured. The key change is not merely a redistribution of volumes, but rather which supplier takes responsibility for which models. Starting with the iPhone 18 series, the launch schedule for standard models is expected to shift from fall to the first half of 2027, leading to changes in the business dynamics among Samsung Display, LG Display, and BOE.

Unlike the iPhone 17 series, the iPhone 18 lineup is expected to adopt staggered release timings by model. High-end models—including Pro, Pro Max, and a foldable iPhone—will be launched first, while lower-end models will be delayed to the first half of 2027. As a result, the OLED panel market for iPhones in 2026 will naturally be centered on premium panels.

In this transition, LG Display stands out as a key beneficiary. For the iPhone 18 series, LG Display is expected to focus more on producing panels for Pro and Pro Max models rather than standard or Air models. This shift does not simply mean a change in product mix, but rather an improvement in profitability. By increasing the share of high-priced premium panels instead of lower-priced models, LG Display can significantly enhance both revenue and margins even with similar shipment volumes. This supply structure is expected to work in LG Display’s favor, with its OLED revenue from iPhones projected to increase by more than 15% year-on-year.

In contrast, the iPhone Air is effectively absent from this year’s production plan. Both Samsung Display and LG Display are holding substantial panel inventories, and even if additional orders arise toward the end of the year, volumes are unlikely to exceed around 1 million units. Although initially anticipated as a new product category, the iPhone Air has been deprioritized within the supply chain. Moreover, it remains uncertain whether Apple will launch a new Air model at all. This suggests that Apple is reinforcing a lineup strategy focused on clearly defined premium segments rather than expanding ambiguous mid-tier products.

Samsung Display is expected to prioritize production of panels for the foldable iPhone, as well as Pro and Pro Max models within the iPhone 18 series. While production of panels for standard models may begin toward the end of the year, the overall portfolio will be centered on foldable and Pro segments. In particular, Samsung Display is likely to supply both the main and secondary panels for the foldable iPhone, positioning itself as the most critical supplier in terms of technological capability and supply stability. However, with the delayed launch of standard models to the first half of 2027, Samsung Display’s overall iPhone panel shipments are expected to remain at a similar level to the previous year. The key focus will shift from volume growth to revenue expansion driven by high-value models.

BOE is likely to play a more limited role. The iPhone 18 series is expected to adopt LTPO+ panels, and BOE is currently considered to lack the technological maturity required for mass production at this specification level. Compared to conventional LTPO, LTPO+ demands higher performance in power efficiency, driving stability, and quality reliability, raising the entry barrier for Apple’s premium supply chain. As a result, BOE is expected to continue supplying panels primarily for legacy models such as the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro, with shipment volumes remaining at levels similar to the previous year.

The key takeaway from this shift is not the absolute shipment volume, but the qualitative transformation of the supply structure. The effective absence of the iPhone Air, the delay of standard model launches, and the expansion of LTPO+ adoption all indicate that Apple is consolidating its supply chain around premium products. Samsung Display will maintain its core supplier position centered on foldable and Pro models, while LG Display is expected to enhance its performance through a Pro and Pro Max-focused strategy. Meanwhile, BOE will remain constrained to a limited role centered on legacy models due to challenges in meeting next-generation specifications.

Apple is effectively redesigning its OLED supply chain around profitability and stability by separating model launch timing, panel specifications, and supplier roles. Going forward, the key competitive factor for panel makers will not be shipment volume, but rather which company can reliably supply a greater share of high-value premium panels.

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

▶2026 Small OLED Display Annual Report

▶2026 Medium & Large Size OLED Display Annual 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.

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”

/in , /by

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

※ 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.

Beyond ‘Repair’, First Pass Yield (FPY) is the Ultimate Decider for Micro-LED Mass Production

/in , /by
Official logo of LG Display

(Source: LG Display)

As the era of Micro-LED, the pinnacle of next-generation display technology, approaches, the Korean display industry stands at a critical crossroads regarding “mass production viability.” While LG Display (LGD) has recently embarked on developing inspection and repair technologies with domestic equipment manufacturers, a heated debate persists among industry experts regarding the tradeoff between technical integrity and economic compromise.

1. Repair: A ‘B-Plan,’ Not the ‘Solution’

Some argue that repair technology is essential due to the inherent structural challenges of Micro-LED, where defects seem unavoidable. However, from the traditional perspective of manufacturing engineering, a “mass production technology predicated on repair” has fundamental limitations. The bedrock of mass production lies in securing First Pass Yield (FPY), preventing defects at the source within the process itself.

Field experts, including Ph.Ds in electronic engineering, warn that “adding repair processes inevitably increases tact time, raises costs, and leaves the reliability of repaired chips in question.” Ultimately, the true measure of mass production technology is not the ‘skill of reviving dead chips,’ but the ‘technology that prevents dead chips from entering the production line’ in the first place.

2. The PL Inspection Controversy and LGD’s Pragmatic Choice

The PL (Photoluminescence) inspection method by Huvio, a focal point in this national R&D project, is not free from correlation controversies. Optical inspection (PL), which fails to capture electrical defects like leakage current or contact failure during actual operation, carries a significant risk of ‘defect escape.’ This explains the skepticism surrounding LGD’s reconsideration of PL, especially after they experienced the absolute necessity of EL (Electroluminescence) inspection during past high-stakes projects, such as the global smartwatch initiative.

Nevertheless, LGD’s move to collaborate with domestic SMEs (small and medium-sized Enterprise) is interpreted as a strategic attempt to establish a ‘Korean Mass Production Standard’ while acknowledging current technical hurdles. This hybrid strategy, using high speed, non-contact PL for primary screening and precision repair to calibrate yield, is both a desperate measure and a bold attempt to overcome the ‘economic barriers’ encountered in the early stages of mass production.

3. Big Tech’s Commitment Fueling the Materials, Components, and Equipment Ecosystem

While questions remain regarding its technical perfection, the fact that a major Korean corporation has proactively moved to secure Micro-LED mass production technology is an overwhelmingly positive signal for the entire industry. As LGD joins Samsung Electronics in accelerating the Micro-LED ecosystem, it is simultaneously elevating the technical capabilities of domestic equipment and material companies.

Providing companies like Justem and Huvio with the opportunity to verify their precision control and optical analysis solutions on an actual mass production line will serve as a foundation for Korea’s future global dominance. The data accumulated through this cycle of trial and error will eventually become a core asset in transitioning toward a ‘repair-free, zero-defect process.’

4. Conclusion: A Journey Toward Technical Integrity

The road to Micro-LED commercialization is long and arduous. However, the Korean display industry’s obsession with securing mass production viability is a powerful declaration of its intent to maintain leadership in the post OLED era.

An industry insider emphasized, “Repair is merely a secondary means to support yield in the early stages; ultimately, we must aim for perfection in transfer and bonding processes. The true victory for the Korean Micro-LED industry will begin when these current studies evolve beyond mere repair into original technologies that radically enhance First Pass Yield.”

Joohan Kim, Senior Analyst at UBI Research (joohanus@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.

Bar and line graph showing the global OLED TV annual supply tightening, with the glut dropping to 1.4 percent by 2030.

The Premium TV Market Enters the Era of Price Competition Between OLED and Mini LED

/in , /by

Samsung Electronics is accelerating its strategic transition by redefining OLED as the clear flagship axis in its TV portfolio. Until 2024, OLED was introduced only in limited lineups within a premium volume strategy centered on Neo QLED. However, in 2025, OLED was elevated to the upper-tier lineup, strengthening its role as a flagship. In 2026, while adding Micro RGB as an ultra-premium category, Samsung continues to position OLED as a core pillar. This shift indicates a clear transition from LCD-based advancement to a self-emissive display-centric strategy.

Pyramid charts showing Samsung's TV technology portfolio shift from Neo QLED-centric in 2024 to OLED flagship and Micro RGB addition by 2026

Samsung’s TV technology portfolio shift. Moving from a Neo QLED-centric strategy in 2024, OLED is elevated in 2025, and Micro RGB is added to the top tier in 2026, marking a transition toward self-emissive displays. (Source: UBI Research)

The pricing structure is also changing rapidly. OLED TVs have historically maintained a price premium of around 30–40% over Mini LED TVs, but this gap is expected to narrow significantly with LG Display’s SE OLED strategy gaining traction. If SE OLED TV prices for 65-inch models are formed at around $1,300, the gap with Mini LED TVs from TCL and Hisense (approximately $1,100–$1,200) could shrink to just 5–10%. As a result, the premium TV market is moving from a technology-driven competition—“OLED vs. Mini LED”—to a direct head-to-head battle where price differences are minimal from the consumer’s perspective.

In this context, the adoption of LG Display’s SE OLED panels by major set makers such as LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, and Panasonic is particularly significant. It suggests that OLED is no longer confined to brand-specific differentiation but is evolving into a broader industry platform across the premium TV segment. Samsung, in particular, is maintaining its QD-OLED strategy while simultaneously expanding its OLED positioning to support market growth. Consequently, OLED is transitioning from an ultra-premium niche into the mainstream premium segment.

Meanwhile, the Mini LED camp remains highly competitive. Chinese manufacturers such as TCL and Hisense are aggressively expanding their presence in the premium segment by leveraging high brightness, larger screen sizes, and strong price competitiveness. As a result, the market is shifting from a simple competition in display performance to a more complex battle involving price-to-performance, brand positioning, and perceived consumer value. As the price gap narrows to single digits, OLED’s advantages in contrast and design will compete directly with Mini LED’s strengths in brightness and affordability.

On the supply side, the need for additional investment is becoming increasingly evident. As OLED TV shipments continue to grow and more production capacity is allocated to OLED monitors on the same lines, available capacity is tightening rapidly. According to the data, supply headroom is projected to decline from 22.3% in 2026 to 17.1% in 2027, 11.8% in 2028, 6.6% in 2029, and just 1.4% by 2030. This suggests that supply capacity will be nearly fully utilized around 2030, highlighting the necessity of preemptive capacity expansion to sustain the growth of the OLED TV market.

Chart displaying the annual supply and demand for OLED TVs from 2026 to 2030, with the supply glut decreasing from 22.3% to 1.4%

Annual supply and demand analysis for OLED TV. Due to rising demand and expanded production of monitor OLEDs, the supply glut is forecast to drop sharply from 22.3% in 2026 to just 1.4% by 2030. (Source: UBI Research)

Changwook Han, Executive Vice President at UBI Research, stated, “The premium TV market is shifting beyond a technology competition between OLED and Mini LED into a price-driven competition, with cost reduction through SE OLED emerging as a key driver for market expansion.” He added, “As adoption by major set makers increases while supply headroom tightens, the competitiveness of OLED will increasingly depend on price stabilization and the timely expansion of production capacity.”

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

※ 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.

Chart displaying the growth of Samsung and LG OLED TV shipments reaching millions of units by 2025

LG and Samsung and Expand OLED TV Competition… Premium TV Market Landscape Shifts

/in , /by

The influence of OLED TVs in the premium TV market is rapidly expanding. While the OLED TV market has historically been shaped largely by LG Electronics, the competitive landscape of the global premium TV market is gradually changing as Samsung Electronics actively expands its OLED TV strategy. In particular, Samsung has repositioned OLED TVs as core, image-quality–focused products within its premium TV lineup, signaling that the OLED TV market is entering a new phase of growth.

Bar chart comparing OLED TV shipments of LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics from 2023 to 2025

OLED TV shipments by LGE and SEC. LG maintains around 3.2 million units, while Samsung rapidly increases its volume to 2 million units in 2025. (Source: UBI Research)

According to an analysis by UBI Research, LG Electronics’ OLED TV shipments have remained stable at around 3 million units annually in recent years. Shipments, which were about 3 million units in 2023, increased to approximately 3.2 million units in 2024 and remained at a similar level in 2025. Since the early stages of the OLED TV market, LG Electronics has fostered OLED as a central pillar of its premium TV strategy, strengthening its competitiveness through ultra-large models and a wide range of design-oriented products. This strategy demonstrates that LG continues to maintain a significant leadership position in the OLED TV market.

Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics has shown rapid growth in the OLED TV segment within a relatively short period since entering the market. Samsung’s OLED TV sales increased from about 1 million units in 2023 to approximately 1.4 million units in 2024, and reached around 2 million units in 2025. This growth reflects Samsung’s aggressive expansion of its OLED TV product lineup. In particular, starting in 2025, Samsung began actively adopting WOLED panels from LG Display, enabling the company to expand its OLED TV supply more rapidly. Previously focused mainly on Samsung Display’s QD-OLED panels, Samsung is now utilizing both QD-OLED and WOLED panels to broaden its product lineup and strengthen market responsiveness.

Samsung has also repositioned OLED TVs as image-quality–focused flagship models within its 4K premium TV lineup. While the company’s Neo QLED series—based on Mini-LED LCD technology—has traditionally been recognized for its strengths in brightness and large-screen formats, OLED TVs emphasize superior picture quality through perfect blacks, high contrast ratios, and exceptional color reproduction. As Samsung increasingly positions OLED TVs above Neo QLED models in its lineup, the status of OLED in the premium TV market is gradually rising.

The expansion of the OLED TV market is also aligned with strategic shifts among major global TV manufacturers. In addition to LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics, Sony has strengthened its OLED TV lineup, further increasing the share of OLED in the premium TV segment. As demand for high-quality video content grows and large-screen TV adoption expands, OLED technology—based on self-emissive displays capable of delivering outstanding picture quality—is gaining greater recognition in the premium TV market. These characteristics are further reinforcing the competitiveness of OLED TVs.

At the panel technology level, developments are also underway to improve the cost competitiveness of OLED TVs. At CES 2026, LG Display introduced a new OLED panel structure known as the SE model. This model reportedly reduces panel costs by approximately 20% by removing the polarizer and reducing the number of tandem layers compared with the conventional WOLED structure. Such structural improvements are expected to lower panel prices while enabling OLED TVs to expand into a broader range of price segments. If panel cost reductions materialize, OLED TVs could extend beyond ultra-premium products into a wider portion of the premium TV market.

At the same time, competition between OLED and LCD-based technologies in the premium TV segment is intensifying. Recently, premium LCD TVs using RGB Mini-LED backlights have emerged, introducing a new technological trend that competes with OLED in terms of brightness and color reproduction. These products improve color accuracy and brightness performance compared with conventional Mini-LED LCD TVs, creating a new competitive dynamic with OLED in the premium TV market. Nevertheless, OLED continues to hold advantages in contrast and picture quality derived from its self-emissive structure, maintaining its position as a key technology in the premium TV segment.

Overall, the OLED TV market is expected to continue its growth as Samsung’s aggressive market expansion strategy combines with LG’s stable market leadership and ongoing efforts to reduce panel costs through technological innovation. As Samsung rapidly increases its OLED TV sales, the gap with LG is gradually narrowing. At the same time, the expansion of OLED TV lineups among major global TV manufacturers suggests that the overall OLED TV market is likely to grow further. Even amid continued competition with premium LCD technologies, OLED TVs are expected to remain a central pillar of the premium TV market.

Changwook Han, Executive Vice President at UBI Research, stated, “Samsung Electronics has recently been aggressively expanding OLED TVs as core products in its premium TV lineup, while LG Display is advancing panel structure improvements that reduce manufacturing costs. As a result, the market competitiveness of OLED TVs is expected to strengthen further.” He added, “With LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, and Sony leading the expansion of OLED TV shipments, the share of OLED TVs in the premium TV market is expected to steadily increase.”

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

▶Pre-register for Display Korea 2026

▶ Quarterly Small OLED Display Market Tracker Sample

▶Quarterly Medium & Large OLED Display Market Tracker Sample

※ 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.

Stacked bar chart illustrating the $2.27 billion global OLED emitting material market in 2025, broken down by purchasing panel makers like Samsung, LG, and BOE.

The global OLED emitting Materials market reaches USD 2.27 billion… Chinese suppliers begin a full-scale rise in market share

/in , /by
Stacked bar chart showing the trend of OLED emitting material sales by major panel makers including Samsung Display, LG Display, and BOE from 2023 to 2025

Trend of emitting material purchases by major OLED panel makers from 2023 to 2025. The total market reached $2.27 billion in 2025, with Chinese panel makers’ purchase volume surpassing Korea’s for the first time. (Source: UBI Research)

According to UBI Research’s recently published OLED Emitting Material Market Tracker, global revenues of OLED emitting Material suppliers totaled USD 2.27 billion in 2025, up 7.2% year-on-year.

From the third quarter—when mass production of OLED panels for Apple’s new products accelerated—Korean panel makers increased their purchases of emitting Materials. Purchases by Chinese panel makers also remained at a level similar to the previous quarter. As a result, the overall OLED emitting Materials market was larger in the second half than in the first half of the year.

By country, the share of emitting-material purchases by Korean OLED panel makers in 2025 was estimated at about 49.1%, and purchase spending by Chinese OLED panel makers surpassed that of Korean panel makers for the first time.

On the supplier side, revenue growth is becoming increasingly visible not only among Korean, U.S., and Japanese material companies, but also among Chinese OLED emitting Material vendors. UBI Research’s OLED Emitting Materials Market Tracker indicates that while established global suppliers such as UDC, LG Chem, and Samsung SDI continue to maintain high revenue levels, Chinese suppliers—including Beijing Summer Sprout, LTOM, Hyperions, and Jilin OLED—are rapidly expanding deliveries to new OLED panel makers, driving steep revenue increases.

In the mid to long term, the OLED emitting Materials market is expected to expand further. UBI Research forecasts continued growth of the global emitting Materials market, and expects revenue growth among Chinese suppliers—beyond the existing major global players—to accelerate even more.

However, it is expected to take additional time before new Chinese emitting-material suppliers begin supplying materials to Korean panel makers in earnest. In the near term, Chinese suppliers are likely to raise market share rapidly primarily through sales to Chinese panel makers.

Changho Noh, an analyst at UBI Research, commented: “The growth momentum of Chinese OLED emitting Material suppliers is clearly emerging as a threat to established global suppliers. However, for new suppliers to enter the supply chains of Korean panel makers, commercialization procedures such as quality validation, long-term reliability assessments, and customer qualification are essential. Therefore, a full-scale shift in a short period of time is likely to be limited.” He added, “For the time being, market share and revenues are highly likely to expand quickly, centered on supplies to domestic Chinese panel makers, and existing suppliers need to closely monitor the pace at which Chinese suppliers are spreading.”

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

▶Pre-register for Display Korea 2026

▶OLED Emitting Material Market Tracker Sample

※ 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.

LG Electronics CLOiD robot folding laundry, highlighting the role of displays in humanoid robots.

The Dawn of the Physical AI Era… Humanoid HMI Opens a New Market for OLED

/in , /by

Robot technology is moving beyond simple repetitive automation and entering the era of so-called “Physical AI,” where artificial intelligence takes on a physical form and interacts directly with the real world. Humanoid robots that replicate human appearance and movement are no longer confined to research prototypes; they are expanding into industrial, service, and home environments. In this transition, the importance of HMI, Human-Machine Interface, as a medium for emotional interaction between humans and machines, is rapidly increasing. In particular, displays, which are responsible for visual expression, are being integrated with voice and motion recognition technologies, positioning themselves as the “face” and communication window of humanoid robots. As robots collaborate and coexist with humans in shared spaces, the screen is evolving from a simple information panel into a key medium for building trust and familiarity.

These changes were clearly demonstrated at CES 2026. LG Electronics introduced “CLOiD,” a home-oriented humanoid concept robot based on its service robot brand CLOi. Equipped with dual arms and multi-jointed hands, the robot demonstrated advanced household task capabilities. The display mounted on the robot’s head went beyond basic status indication, delivering real-time emotional expression and task feedback, thereby narrowing the psychological distance between user and machine. The demonstration highlighted how “expression” and “responsiveness,” alongside mechanical precision, directly influence user trust in humanoid systems.

LG Electronics' humanoid robot 'CLOiD' performing household chores and displaying status via its face screen

LG Electronics’ home humanoid ‘CLOiD’ interacting with users by expressing emotions and status through its display interface. (Source: LG Electronics)

Samsung Display presented another direction for humanoid HMI through its “AI OLED Bot” concept, featuring a circular OLED panel of approximately 13 inches, 13.4 inches. Breaking away from the conventional rectangular format, the non-traditional form factor enables eye, facial expression, and icon-based interfaces, underscoring the design role displays can play in shaping a robot’s identity. At the exhibition, high-brightness operation and low reflectance characteristics were emphasized, and practical brightness levels exceeding 1,000 nits, combined with low-power operation, were presented as key requirements for real-world humanoid deployment.

Samsung Display's AI OLED Bot concept featuring a round OLED display to show expressions and information

Samsung Display’s ‘AI OLED Bot’ implementing unique robot design and HMI using a non-rectangular round form factor. (Source: Samsung Display)

LG Display showcased a 7-inch P-OLED, Plastic OLED solution designed to wrap around curved robotic facial structures. Compared with glass-based substrates, plastic-based OLED offers advantages in weight reduction and impact durability, while enabling tighter curvature radii to naturally replicate human facial contours. The exhibit demonstrated how reliability technologies accumulated in automotive OLED, including tolerance to high and low temperatures and long operational lifetimes, are being extended into the robotics sector.

Today, humanoid robots can be categorized into industrial, service, public, and home-use segments, with display adoption patterns varying accordingly. Industrial robots, where safety and efficiency are prioritized, still rely mainly on small panels or LED indicators. However, in service and home-oriented humanoids, display adoption rates have expanded to approximately 60 to 80 percent. Multi-display configurations, incorporating auxiliary panels on the chest or arms in addition to facial displays, are also increasing. As robots evolve into interactive platforms, the display is becoming a standard component rather than an optional feature.

For the display industry, a key opportunity lies in extending automotive-proven Tandem OLED and Flexible OLED technologies into humanoid applications. Humanoid robots require long continuous operation and exposure to diverse environmental conditions. Tandem structures, which reduce current density at the same luminance level, provide advantages in lifetime stability and thermal management. With two-stack or higher configurations, peak brightness levels around 1,500 nits can be achieved, contributing to visibility in outdoor or high-ambient-light environments. Flexible OLED further enhances structural stability by reducing breakage risk under impact, making it particularly suitable for humanoids that operate in close physical proximity to humans.

Nevertheless, several challenges must be addressed before full-scale commercialization. Ensuring durability against repetitive joint motion, vibration, and unexpected collisions is critical. Improvements in power efficiency for always-on displays, cost optimization for mass production, and integration with intuitive UI and UX systems synchronized with robotic motion, voice, and AI decision-making are also essential. Without these elements, displays may struggle to serve as true differentiators in humanoid platforms.

Changwook Han, Executive Vice President of UBI Research, commented, “In humanoid robots, displays are no longer just components; they are evolving into core elements that define a robot’s identity. How effectively the lifetime stability of Tandem OLED and the durability of flexible technologies developed for automotive applications can be transferred will determine competitiveness in the emerging humanoid HMI market.”

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

▶Pre-register for Display Korea 2026

※ 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.

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

/in , /by
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)

▶Pre-register for Display Korea 2026

▶ China Trends Report Inquiry

※ 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.

Charts displaying Samsung Display and LG Display's dominance in the 2025 OLED revenue market.

UBI Research Q1 ’26 Market Tracker: Samsung 48% Revenue Share, LG Display 21%…China Expands Shipment Share

/in , /by

According to UBI Research’s Q1 2026 Market Tracker report, the 2025 OLED panel market maintained a clear leader: Samsung Display held the No. 1 position with a 38% share by shipments and a 48% share by revenue. BOE ranked second in shipments at around 14%, while LG Display ranked second in revenue, with its revenue share rising sharply from 14% in 2024 to 21% in 2025. The combined shipment share of Chinese panel makers expanded from roughly 47% in 2024 to above 50% in 2025, intensifying volume competition. However, while “volume expansion” accelerated, “value (revenue) leadership” remained clearly concentrated among the top players.

Pie charts comparing 2025 global OLED panel shipments and revenue share by company

2025 OLED market statistics showing Korean dominance in revenue (Samsung 48%, LG 21%) despite growing shipment volumes from Chinese makers. (Source: UBI Research)

Samsung Display not only recorded the largest shipment share but also showed a revenue share that significantly exceeded its shipment share, reinforcing its value leadership through a premium product mix and strong pricing power. The fact that it maintained a wide revenue gap even as Chinese makers expanded structurally in shipments indicates that the 2025 OLED market was not merely a shipment-driven contest, but one in which value continued to be redistributed toward higher-end products.

LG Display’s rise in revenue share from 14% to 21% was driven by simultaneous shipment growth across key application segments in 2025. OLED panel shipments for smartwatches increased from 28.51 million units in 2024 to 38.76 million units in 2025; monitor panels grew from 0.28 million to 0.40 million units; and TV panels rose from 5.24 million to 6.35 million units. In other words, LG Display achieved meaningful volume growth in wearables (smartwatches) while also expanding shipments in monitors and TVs, creating a broader base for revenue contribution. In particular, smartwatches, monitors, and TVs tend to show wider ASP dispersion depending on specifications and lineup positioning, making shipment growth more likely to translate into revenue-share gains. As a result, LG Display moved up to No. 2 in revenue in 2025, strengthening its presence in the market regardless of its shipment ranking.

BOE maintained second place in shipments at 14%, underscoring its role as a key driver of China’s expanding OLED supply. However, with LG Display taking second place in revenue, the market’s profit structure continued to be shaped primarily by premium product segments and pricing competitiveness. While China’s influence has grown on a shipment basis, revenue remains concentrated among top-tier suppliers—highlighting a widening gap between “volume expansion” and “value capture.”

Changwook Han, Executive Vice President at UBI Research, commented, “The key variable going forward is how quickly Chinese panel makers can move beyond shipment growth to improve their high-value product mix and pricing competitiveness.” He added, “At the same time, a key point to watch will be how long Korean suppliers can sustain their revenue advantage by leveraging portfolio strength spanning premium smartphones, wearables, IT, and large-area OLED.”

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

▶Pre-register for Display Korea 2026

▶ Quarterly Small OLED Display Market Tracker Sample

▶Quarterly Medium & Large OLED Display Market Tracker Sample

※ 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.

CYVISION 3D AR-HUD augmented reality display projected onto a road, showing a bright red "NO ENTRY" warning sign and lane guidance.

As Level 3 Autonomous Driving Expands, AR-HUD and DMS Emerge as Core Pillars of “Safe Takeover”

/in , /by

As the industry moves from Level 2 driver assistance to Level 3 (L3, conditional automation), the role of in-vehicle displays is rapidly shifting from convenience and infotainment toward safety-critical HMI (human–machine interface). In L3, the vehicle performs the driving task within a defined ODD (operational design domain), but the driver must retake control when the system requests a takeover. What the driver is told, when they are told it, and how clearly it is communicated during this takeover window directly affects safety. As a result, both the display systems that deliver these messages and DMS (driver monitoring systems) that verify driver readiness are becoming increasingly important.

Summary table of Level 3 autonomous driving deployment status and plans by major automakers

Roadmap for Level 3 autonomous driving deployment by Hyundai, Kia, and Sony Honda Mobility, accelerating from 2026. (Source: UBI Research)

L3 commercialization has already begun, but most deployments operate under strict constraints such as geofencing (limited to specific road sections), speed caps, and restrictions related to road type, weather, and traffic conditions. Consequently, the perceived quality of L3 depends not only on autonomous driving performance itself, but also on how clearly the system communicates when L3 is available, why it becomes unavailable, and when a takeover is required. L3 cannot be completed by driving algorithms alone; information architecture that enables drivers to instantly understand system status, limitations, and takeover requests is emerging as a core success factor.

From this perspective, AR-HUD (augmented reality head-up display) is one of the most intuitive ways to communicate takeover requests and hazard context. Because drivers may be disengaged from the driving task during L3 operation, relying only on a cluster or center display can delay attention recovery and situational awareness. AR-HUD can reinforce takeover requests by overlaying guidance directly in the driver’s forward field of view, while spatially aligning hazards such as construction zones, blocked lanes, or stopped vehicles to help the driver quickly understand not only that a takeover is needed, but also why. As L3 expands to broader and more complex scenarios, AR-HUD requirements become more stringent, including high luminance for daytime readability, low latency, stable registration to minimize drift, and consistent optical performance across different driver heights and seating positions. In effect, AR-HUD is moving beyond a convenience feature toward a safety-grade display interface.

CYVISION's 3D AR-HUD intuitively displaying driving paths and hazard warnings (NO ENTRY) on the road

AR-HUD technology demo intuitively conveying hazard situations to the driver during Level 3 control handover. (Source: CYVISION)

DMS functions as a safety layer that determines whether the driver is in a condition to execute a takeover request in L3. While the driver can delegate the driving task to the system in L3, they must still be able to take over within a defined time window when requested. This requires verification that the driver is awake and capable of perceiving the road environment. DMS assesses driver availability using signals such as gaze direction, eyelid behavior, head pose, and distraction indicators. If the driver is not attentive, takeover requests may be issued earlier and escalated more aggressively. If the driver fails to respond, an additional safety scenario is designed to transition toward a minimum risk maneuver (MRM). For these reasons, DMS is becoming a key component that completes the functional safety logic of L3 beyond mere regulatory compliance. Alert delivery is also being reinforced through multi-channel redundancy, combining the cluster, center display, and AR-HUD with audio, haptics, and ambient lighting.

At CES 2026, this trend was further illustrated through the convergence of DMS and display technology. LG Display showcased an Under-Display Camera (UDC) concept for DMS implementation, presenting a direction in which the camera is placed beneath the display to enable driver monitoring while maintaining a seamless cockpit design. In particular, applying UDC to an OLED cluster could integrate driver gaze and attention monitoring without visually exposing the camera module, offering a solution that supports both minimalist interior design trends and rising safety requirements.

LG Display's OLED Cluster with Under Display Camera (UDC) and DMS features unveiled at CES 2026

LG Display’s UDC technology secures both seamless design and Driver Monitoring System (DMS) by embedding the camera under the display. (Source: LG Display)

Changwook Han, Executive Vice President at UBI Research, emphasized that the transition to L3 elevates display performance into a part of system safety performance. He noted that cockpit displays must be engineered not as infotainment devices but as safety systems, encompassing safety-message prioritization, deterministic and predictable behavior, cybersecurity, and graceful degradation under failures. He also added that L3 competitiveness is not determined solely by how long a vehicle can drive itself, but by how accurately it guides the driver, prepares them, and enables a safe and reliable takeover when responsibility is handed back. In this context, if AR-HUD serves as the front-facing interface that delivers takeover messages most rapidly, DMS becomes the essential safety element that validates driver readiness to execute those messages, and the combination of UDC-based DMS with an OLED cluster presented at CES 2026 symbolically demonstrates the direction of L3 cockpit evolution.

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

▶2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis 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.

Bar chart showing the rapid increase in OLED monitor shipments from 2026 to 2030.

OLED Monitor Market Sees Rapid Growth… Shipments Up 64% in 2025

/in , /by
Global OLED monitor panel shipment forecast graph from 2026 to 2030

OLED monitor market trends with over 50% growth expected in 2026, following a 64% surge in 2025. (Source: UBI Research)

Global OLED monitor shipments in 2025 are estimated at approximately 3.2 million units, marking a sharp year-on-year increase. According to UBI Research’s Medium & Large OLED Display Market Tracker, OLED monitor shipments in 2025 rose by about 64% from 1.95 million units in 2024. Growth of more than 50% is also expected in 2026, positioning OLED monitors as the fastest-growing application segment within the mid- to large-sized OLED industry.

This strong growth is closely linked to strategic shifts by panel makers. Samsung Display is focusing on expanding shipments of OLED panels for monitors—centered on its QD-OLED mass production lines—where unit prices and profitability are relatively higher than for TV panels. As adoption of QD-OLED expands across premium gaming monitors and creator-focused products, monitors are taking up an increasing share of Samsung Display’s mid- to large-sized OLED strategy.

LG Display is also maintaining its supply of WOLED TV panels while intensifying efforts to expand OLED monitor shipments. After beginning OLED monitor panel supply at around 100,000 units in 2023, LG Display increased shipments to roughly 200,000 units in 2024 and is estimated to have reached about 400,000 units in 2025. In 2026, shipments are expected to continue rising through new customer acquisitions and improved line utilization.

Behind the panel makers’ growing focus on OLED monitors rather than TVs are production efficiency and profitability considerations. On 8.5-generation glass substrates, TV panels typically achieve a utilization rate of around 60–70%, and even with MMG (Multi Model Glass) technology applied, utilization often remains near 80%. In contrast, monitor panels—based on IT-standard sizes such as 27-inch and 34-inch—can be laid out to achieve utilization rates exceeding 90%. Moreover, on a price-per-area basis, OLED monitor panels offer relatively higher profitability than TV panels, making them an attractive option in terms of both line efficiency and margins.

This trend is not limited to Korean manufacturers. Chinese panel makers are also accelerating their entry into the IT OLED market. BOE is gradually increasing shipments of IT OLED panels, while TCL CSOT is planning shipments of OLED monitor panels based on its in-house inkjet-printed OLED technology. Over the mid to long term, the entry of Chinese players is likely to enhance both price competitiveness and product diversity in the OLED monitor market.

Changwook Han, Vice President of UBI Research, commented, “In the mid- to large-sized OLED market, panel makers’ strategic focus is gradually shifting from TVs to monitors.” He added, “OLED monitors offer both high glass utilization and a relatively stable profit structure.” He further noted, “Not only Korean companies but also Chinese panel makers are actively entering the OLED monitor market with their own technologies, and the OLED monitor segment is expected to continue growing as applications expand across gaming, creator, and premium IT devices.”

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

※ 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.

LG Display's Dual View technology allowing different content for driver and passenger, symbolizing the shift to cockpit platforms.

CES 2026: The Evolution of Automotive Displays, Beyond Screens to Platforms

/in , /by

On January 6, CES 2026 officially opened in Las Vegas, the United States. At this year’s exhibition, automotive displays clearly demonstrated their evolution beyond simple information panels into core interfaces that integrate and intelligently orchestrate the in-vehicle experience. Alongside advances in OLED, Micro LED, and Mini LED technologies, innovations in form factors, transparency, and AI-driven interaction converged to define the future direction of the smart cockpit.

Korean companies highlighted their technological competitiveness by focusing on ultra-large displays, form flexibility, and differentiated user experiences. LG Display redefined the vehicle interior as a continuous digital space by showcasing its pillar-to-pillar (P2P) OLED display extending from the driver’s side to the passenger side. The single-panel P2P OLED, reaching up to 51 inches, delivers high resolution and excellent touch sensitivity while addressing concerns over image quality degradation in large-format displays. LG Display also unveiled a sliding OLED concept that can retract into the dashboard, presenting a cockpit vision in which screen size and function adapt dynamically to driving conditions. In addition, automotive OLEDs incorporating under-display camera (UDC) technology and Dual View functionality emphasized a direction in which a single screen can provide different information simultaneously to the driver and the passenger.

LG Display's 12-inch UDC IR OLED Cluster and Dual View Display showing different content to driver and co-driver

LG Display’s Dual View technology providing different information to driver and co-driver, featured with UDC cluster. (Source: LGD)

LG Electronics showcased applications of transparent OLED based on LG Display’s panel technology, presenting the potential of “invisible interfaces” in automotive displays. Transparent OLED technology enables both open visibility and information display, demonstrating its potential expansion into future applications such as HUDs, panoramic displays, and in-vehicle and vehicle-to-outside communication.

LG Electronics' Transparent OLED Windscreen and Side-Window display concept for vehicles

LG Electronics’ Transparent OLED Windscreen and Side-Window solutions displaying info while maintaining openness. (Source: LGE)

Samsung Display also emphasized spatial efficiency and installation flexibility through layout-adaptive automotive OLED solutions. Its 18.1-inch “Flexible L” center information display can be bent into an L-shape to conform to dashboard structures, while the 13.8-inch passenger information display (PID) can be hidden beneath the dashboard when the seat is unoccupied, enhancing space utilization. Samsung Display further highlighted the integration of a robust OLED panel with a 500R curvature on a glass substrate, achieving both visual sophistication and ease of installation.

Chinese companies placed strong emphasis on ultra-large integrated displays and advanced HUD technologies, showcasing their system-level integration capabilities alongside aggressive performance specifications. BOE introduced its HERO 2.0 smart cockpit, emphasizing scenario-based in-vehicle experiences centered on displays. The Micro LED PHUD panoramic head-up display, delivering up to 50,000 nits of brightness, ensures high visibility even under strong ambient light and integrates AI-based voice and gesture recognition to further enhance cockpit intelligence. HERO 2.0, which also includes a 15.6-inch UB Cell central display, an AI audio system, and an integrated digital broadcasting function, clearly illustrates BOE’s strategy of transforming vehicles from transportation tools into living spaces. At the same time, BOE highlighted low-power IGZO oxide displays and carbon-reduction achievements, reinforcing its commitment to environmentally sustainable manufacturing.

Demo of BOE's HERO 2.0 Smart Cockpit featuring Micro LED Panoramic HUD

BOE demonstrating the HERO 2.0 Smart Cockpit with a 50,000-nit Micro LED Panoramic HUD. (Source: BOE)

TCL CSOT made a strong impression with its 28-inch inkjet-printed OLED applied to a sliding center console and curved armrest, demonstrating notable innovation in form factor design. At its booth, TCL CSOT also conducted live demonstrations of a projection-based HUD (P-HUD). The HVA Ultra P-HUD projects information onto the vehicle’s front windshield using a multi-LCD projection structure, positioning itself as either a replacement for or a complement to conventional dashboard displays. This demonstrated TCL’s strategy of pursuing cockpit integration not only through large OLED panels but also through HUD solutions.

HVA Ultra P-HUD (Panoramic HUD) projection demo displayed at TCL CSOT booth

TCL CSOT’s Panoramic HUD solution projecting info on the windshield to replace dashboards. (Source: TCL CSOT)

Tianma presented a next-generation cockpit centered on a 49.6-inch C-shaped panoramic display positioned as an information hub, integrating the instrument cluster, center display, passenger display, and side-mirror areas into a single visual architecture. By leveraging more than 210,000 independent dimming units to achieve a 100,000:1 contrast ratio and suppressing reflectance to below 0.55 percent, Tianma emphasized both readability and safety in ultra-large displays. The company’s multi-screen ecosystem, including a 43.7-inch IRIS PHUD panoramic display, a flexible pull-out display, and a small OLED integrated into the steering wheel, highlighted its strengthening capabilities in system-level cockpit design. Visionox also showcased a dynamic bending display using dual flexible AMOLED panels, presenting an approach that simultaneously improves the stowability and visibility of large screens.

Tianma's 43.7-inch IRIS Panoramic HUD and integrated cockpit display revealed at CES 2026

Tianma’s next-gen cockpit and Panoramic HUD system integrating instrument cluster and center display. (Source: Tianma)

Taiwanese companies pursued differentiation through transparent displays and system integration. AUO, through its subsidiary AUO Mobility Solutions, showcased transparent Micro LED displays, INVISY stealth displays, and an AI-based cockpit domain control platform, defining displays as core nodes connected to vehicle computing systems. The integration with a glass-substrate satellite antenna suggested a future in which automotive displays are directly linked to external networks. Innolux emphasized integrated cockpit solutions combining visual and audio technologies through collaboration with CARUX and Pioneer, and unveiled an ultra-high-brightness Micro LED HUD delivering 50,000 nits of direct brightness and 10,000 nits in reflected image brightness, highlighting stable HUD performance even under extreme conditions.

AUO's automotive Transparent Micro LED display showcased at CES 2026

AUO’s Transparent Micro LED display presented as a key node connecting vehicles with external networks. (Source: AUO)

From the automaker perspective, the direction of change was equally clear. BMW presented a panoramic HUD concept for its next-generation iX3, proposing a future HUD architecture that utilizes the entire windshield as an information interface and emphasizing tighter integration between display technology and vehicle design.

BMW iDrive Surround View System and Panoramic HUD concept demonstrated at the booth

BMW’s futuristic Panoramic HUD and iDrive system utilizing the entire windshield as an information interface. (Source: BMW)

Commenting on the automotive display trends observed at CES 2026, Changwook Han, Executive Vice President at UBI Research, stated, “Automotive displays have entered a phase of cockpit platform competition, where form factors, systems, AI, and content converge, rather than remaining a field of individual component competition.” He added, “The advancement toward ultra-large displays, transparency, and sophisticated HUDs will ultimately serve as key indicators of how deeply display makers can engage in shaping the user experience of automakers.”

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

▶2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis 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.

LG Display showing off its "Advanced New META" OLED technology with 4,500 nits brightness at CES 2026.

LG Display’s Two-Track Strategy for OLED TVs Presented at CES 2026, Simultaneous targeting of the premium market with leading-edge technology and the mass market with ‘Special Edition’ OLEDs

/in , /by

At CES 2026, LG Display presented a so-called “two-track” approach for its OLED TV panel strategy. One track focuses on a premium strategy emphasizing top-tier image quality, while the other targets the mass market with Special Edition OLEDs that improve cost and power efficiency. Through comparative demonstrations at its invitation-only exhibition booth, LG Display emphasized that these two strategies are designed to address different market demands.

At the heart of the premium strategy is a next-generation OLED TV panel utilizing a 4-stack tandem WOLED structure with MLA (Micro Lens Array). LG Display achieved a peak brightness level of 4,500 nits with this structure and conducted a direct image quality comparison demonstration with an RGB Mini LED TV featuring approximately 3,000 dimming zones. The company explained that this comparison was not simply a competition of brightness figures, but rather intended to showcase the fundamental differences in color reproduction methods and dimming structures.

LG Display's world's first 4,500-nit Tandem WOLED TV panel unveiled at CES 2026

LG Display’s next-gen OLED TV achieves a world-first peak brightness of 4,500 nits, delivering superior premium picture quality. (Source: LG Display)

The demonstration highlighted that while RGB Mini LED offers improved color reproduction compared to conventional LCDs, its structural characteristics, particularly the local dimming method, can lead to color accuracy issues under certain conditions. When bright objects or white elements are present, limitations in backlight control in adjacent areas can cause color shifts and a decrease in color reproduction accuracy. In contrast, OLED uses pixel dimming, which directly controls light emission at the pixel level, ensuring that the content maintains its intended colors regardless of changes in screen conditions.

The differences were also clearly demonstrated in terms of interference from surrounding colors. With RGB Mini LED, a moving white object showed subtle color changes influenced by the background color, while the OLED EX panel maintained the object’s original color stably, regardless of the background. In terms of skin tone representation, RGB Mini LED showed subtle variations depending on the background color, while OLED reproduced the colors exactly as intended by the content creator. The characteristic halo effect of RGB Mini LED, where light spills around bright areas against a dark background, was also mentioned as a remaining limitation.

Through these comparisons, LG Display conveyed its position that while RGB Mini LED attempts to achieve the black levels and color reproduction of OLED, fundamental differences in image quality still exist due to structural differences. Premium OLED offers perfect black levels and high brightness simultaneously, possessing image quality characteristics that are on a different level from local dimming-based LCDs.

Meanwhile, the Special Edition OLED, presented as a strategy for the mass market, was introduced through another comparative demonstration with Mini LED. The Special Edition OLED is a product with reduced costs achieved by adjusting some specifications, such as removing the polarizer, aiming to maintain the core image quality values ​​of OLED while securing price competitiveness. In a video demonstration of fast-moving images, the Mini LED display showed trailing effects and blurring in numbers and detailed outlines, while the special edition OLED maintained relatively clear and sharp image quality. The presentation also highlighted that the new model consumes approximately 20% less power compared to previous models.

CES 2026 Comparison: LG Display Special Edition OLED TV (Left) vs. Mini LED TV (Right)

Picture quality comparison demo between the ‘Special Edition OLED’ (Left), designed for mass market expansion, and a Mini LED TV (Right). (Source: LG Display)

Through CES 2026, LG Display clearly demonstrated its strategy of positioning OLED TVs not as a single premium technology, but as an expandable platform encompassing both premium and mainstream segments. Their strategy is to cater to the market demanding the highest image quality with ultra-high brightness OLEDs based on MLA technology, while addressing price-sensitive markets with special edition OLEDs, maintaining a differentiated image quality advantage over Mini LED.

Regarding this, Changwook Han, Executive Vice President of UBI Research, commented, “LG Display’s OLED TV strategy clearly distinguishes between premium and mass-market segments, and it’s evident that they intend to lead the picture quality competition against Mini LED in both areas.  Specifically, in the premium segment, they aim to maintain technological leadership by emphasizing structural differences, and in the mass-market segment, their strategy involves expanding the reach of the OLED market by improving cost and power efficiency through special edition OLEDs.”

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

▶2025-2026 Beyond Mobile: IT OLED Technology and Industry Analysis 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.

LG Display's advanced automotive OLED technology representing the smart cockpit trends at CES 2026.

Smart Cockpit Competition Accelerates… Automotive Displays to be Showcased at CES 2026

/in , /by

At CES 2026, it became clear that automotive display technology has emerged as a core competitive factor amid the broader transition of vehicles from mere means of transportation to intelligent living spaces. As the shift toward autonomous driving and Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs) accelerates, the amount of information and content required inside vehicles continues to increase. Accordingly, displays are no longer simple screens but have evolved into central technologies that define interior architecture and user experience. At this year’s exhibition, LG Display, Hyundai Mobis, AUO, and Corning each presented distinct technological approaches that together outlined the future direction of the smart cockpit.

LG Display showcased its “Automotive Dual View OLED” and “Automotive UDC (Under Display Camera)-IR OLED” at CES 2026, earning a CES Innovation Award in the In-Vehicle Entertainment category. Dual View OLED enables different content to be viewed simultaneously by the driver and the front passenger on a single panel, providing driving-related information exclusively to the driver while delivering entertainment content to the passenger. This technology is seen as an effective solution to information interference in increasingly large automotive displays, while significantly enhancing cockpit design flexibility. The UDC-IR OLED integrates an infrared camera beneath the display to support driver monitoring systems (DMS) without compromising screen continuity or image quality. Together, OLED’s inherent advantages in contrast and color reproduction, combined with advanced sensor integration, demonstrate a clear direction toward strengthening both in-vehicle entertainment and safety functions.

LG Display's CES 2026 Innovation Award-winning automotive Dual View OLED and UDC-IR OLED technology (Source: LG Display)

LG Display’s CES 2026 Innovation Award-winning automotive Dual View OLED and UDC-IR OLED technology (Source: LG Display)

Hyundai Mobis took center stage at CES 2026 after winning a CES Innovation Award for its holographic windshield display (HWD), integrated into its cockpit integration solution “M.BiCS 7.0.” Developed in collaboration with German optics company ZEISS, the HWD is the world’s first technology to apply a holographic film to the entire windshield, enabling the front glass to function as a large-scale transparent display. While conventional HUD systems face limitations in size, thermal management, and design due to their reflective optical architectures, holographic displays leverage diffractive optics to precisely control light paths, allowing the system to be realized with a compact optical engine of approximately 1.2 liters. In addition, the holographic film maintains a high transparency of over 95%, minimizing visual obstruction while driving, and supports customized eyebox designs that enable different information to be presented independently to the driver and front passenger. This technology is regarded as an effective solution for managing the rapidly increasing information density of the autonomous driving era, while simultaneously maximizing cockpit integration and design coherence.

Demonstration of Hyundai Mobis's CES 2026 Innovation Award-winning Holographic Windshield Display (HWD) (Source: Hyundai Mobis)

Demonstration of Hyundai Mobis’s CES 2026 Innovation Award-winning Holographic Windshield Display (HWD) (Source: Hyundai Mobis)

At CES 2026, AUO officially launched its new subsidiary, AUO Mobility Solutions Corporation (AMSC), declaring its transition beyond displays toward becoming a system-integrated smart cockpit solution provider. AMSC was established through the integration of AUO’s mobility solutions business with the climate control systems and HMI design expertise of Germany-based BHTC GmbH. At the exhibition, AMSC unveiled next-generation smart cockpit solutions that integrate immersive display experiences, intelligent sensing, and scalable computing platforms. By delivering visual elements, computing, and connectivity within a unified architecture, the company aims to realize cockpit environments optimized for software-defined vehicles, a strategy widely interpreted as an effort to strengthen both rapid development cycles and mass-production readiness demanded by OEMs.

In the materials segment, Corning drew attention with its advanced anti-reflective surface treatment technology for automotive displays. As large-format in-vehicle displays continue to expand toward pillar-to-pillar configurations, sunlight-induced reflections have emerged as a major challenge affecting visibility. Corning’s solution dramatically reduces surface reflections while enabling deep black performance, simultaneously enhancing image quality and driving safety. The technology offers high compatibility with a wide range of panel types, including OLED and Mini-LED, and is therefore regarded as a key enabler supporting the broader adoption of next-generation large automotive displays.

The technologies unveiled at CES 2026 collectively demonstrate that automotive displays are evolving beyond individual components into core platforms that integrate space, user experience, and safety. From OLED-driven image quality advancements and holographic displays that redefine interior space, to system-integrated smart cockpit strategies and the material innovations that underpin them, each company is pursuing a distinct approach. Yet all are converging toward a shared objective: delivering new user experiences tailored to the era of intelligent mobility.

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

▶2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis 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.

Bar chart showing the quarterly growth of OLED smartphone panel shipments in 2025, highlighting Q4 peak.

OLED Smartphone Panel Shipments to Reach 900 Million Units in 2025…Q4 Production Drives Annual Growth

/in , /by
Quarterly OLED Shipments Forecast for Smartphones by Manufacturer in 2025 (Source: UBI Research)

UBI Research forecast trend for quarterly OLED smartphone panel shipments and manufacturer share in 2025 (Source: UBI Research)

According to UBI Research’s quarterly publication, the OLED Display Market Tracker, OLED panel shipments for smartphones and foldable phones are expected to reach approximately 900 million units in 2025. By shipment share, Chinese panel makers are projected to account for about 48.8% of the annual total, nearly matching the level of Korean manufacturers. While shipment volumes between the two countries are similar, Korean companies maintain a revenue advantage due to their higher proportion of premium-tier orders for flagship models such as Apple’s iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy.

In particular, Korean panel makers saw a significant surge in smartphone and foldable panel shipments in the fourth quarter, marking their strongest performance of the year. Panel supply expanded sharply from the third quarter with the launch of new Apple products, and shipments peaked as Samsung Electronics began full-scale production of Galaxy S26 series panels.

Samsung Display continued its solid growth into the fourth quarter, driven by increasing demand for panels for the iPhone 17 series and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 FE. With mass production for both the iPhone lineup and Galaxy S26 series in full swing, Samsung Display is expected to post its highest annual shipment volume to date. LG Display also achieved a strong rebound in the third quarter with shipments of roughly 20 million units, representing a sharp quarter-over-quarter increase, and its Q4 shipments are forecast to rise by an additional 20%.

Chinese panel makers showed quarterly fluctuations depending on demand conditions but maintained stable supply across major smartphone brands. BOE expanded its customer base by diversifying its supply portfolio from entry-level to upper-mid-range smartphone models. TCL CSOT and Visionox continued to grow shipments to both the domestic Chinese market and global brands, while Tianma focused on enhancing technological competitiveness by increasing the share of high value-added products such as LTPO.

In terms of set makers, Apple secured the largest volume of OLED panels, followed by Samsung Electronics, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Huawei. Executive Vice President Changwook Han of UBI Research commented, “As the industry enters the second-half peak season, Korean display manufacturers are showing clear improvements in both shipments and revenue. In particular, Samsung Display is expected to ship around 150 million panels in the fourth quarter driven by increased demand for iPhone panels.” He added, “Chinese panel makers are also maintaining stable momentum by adjusting their supply strategies in line with shifting market demand.”

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

※ 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.

Featured graphic of 2024–2025 OLED shipment share by application highlighting smartphone dominance and China’s rising supply share (Source: UBI Research)

Dual Axes of the 2025 OLED Market: Korea’s Premium Focus and China’s Expansion in Shipments

/in , /by

The OLED market in 2024 and 2025 witnessed marked changes in both the demand structure by application and the supply structure by panel manufacturer. The smartphone-centric demand base became more robust, while major Korean and Chinese panel manufacturers, leveraging their distinct strengths, expanded their market contributions, leading to continued diversification in the OLED industry.

By application, smartphones dominated the OLED market in 2024, accounting for 82% of total shipments, reaching 833.8 million units. Watches accounted for 119.7 million units (12%), while other product groups, including tablets, laptops, monitors, and TVs, remained small markets. This structure continued in 2025, with smartphone shipments increasing to 920.7 million units, representing 84% of the total. Watches remained relatively stable at 113.4 million units, and the share of other product groups remained largely unchanged.

Pie charts of OLED shipments by application for 2024 and 2025 showing larger smartphone share (Source: UBI Research)

OLED shipment share by application, 2024 (left) and 2025 (right) (Source: UBI Research)

In 2024, the roles of Korea and China in OLED panel supply were clearly divided. Samsung Display maintained its position as the largest supplier with 410 million units (41%), while LG Display recorded 100 million units (11%). In the same year, Chinese panel makers continued their quantitative expansion, accounting for 48% of the total, with a combined shipment of 490 million units: BOE with 138 million units, Visionox with 114 million units, Tianma with 102 million units, CSOT with 83 million units, and EverDisplay with 43 million units.

This structure was further strengthened in 2025. Chinese panel makers, including BOE, Tianma, Visionox, CSOT, and EverDisplay, combined to ship 555 million units annually, accounting for over 51% of the global supply, emerging as a key player in the global supply chain. In the same year, Samsung Display maintained its technology-focused responsiveness, with shipments reaching 411 million units (37%), while LG Display reached 128 million units (12%).

The differences in sales strategies between the two countries were also clear. In 2024, Samsung Display solidified its premium-focused structure with $25.6 billion (57%), while LG Display also achieved $7 billion. Conversely, Chinese companies such as BOE, Visionox, and Tianma demonstrated a trend of expanding sales based on mass production. In 2025, LG Display grew significantly to $11.6 billion, and BOE’s shipments also expanded to $7.1 billion, further separating the two countries’ technology and production strategies.

In summary, the OLED market in 2025 saw a strengthened smartphone-centric demand structure, while Chinese companies accounted for over half of panel shipments, demonstrating a clear shift in regional composition. Korean companies maintained a sales structure centered on high-value-added products, while Chinese companies continued to expand their market presence based on increased shipments. UBI Research Executive Vice President Changwook Han said, “The 2025 OLED market is a period in which the supply structure by region and company is expanding simultaneously, with each company broadening its market response based on its product portfolio and technological capabilities.”

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

※ 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.

Featured image illustrating global IT OLED shipment growth forecast through 2029 (Source: UBI Research)

“Beyond Mobile” Era Begins… IT OLED to More Than Double by 2029

/in , /by
IT OLED shipment forecast chart for 2025–2029 (Source: UBI Research)

IT OLED shipment forecast (Source: UBI Research)

According to UBI Research’s recently published report, “Beyond Mobile: IT OLED Technology and Industry Analysis,” global shipments of IT OLEDs are expected to more than double from 24 million units in 2025 to 53 million units in 2029. The report states that OLED adoption in tablets, notebooks, and monitors is entering a structural growth phase over the next four years.

Company-level shipment projections also show clear shifts. Samsung Display, currently the largest producer of OLED panels for notebooks, tablets, and monitors, is expected to maintain a stable market share of more than 60%. LG Display, Everdisplay, BOE, and Visionox are projected to follow, shaping a competitive global landscape in the IT OLED market.

Because most IT OLED products use medium-to-large panel sizes, large-substrate production lines that maximize glass utilization rates are essential. As global device makers—especially Apple—accelerate their adoption of OLED across IT product categories, panel manufacturers are positioning 8.6-generation (8.6G) OLED line investments as a core strategic priority.

The investment landscape reflects this trend. After Samsung Display announced the industry’s first 8.6G OLED line investment worth approximately KRW 4 trillion in April 2023, BOE, Visionox, and TCL CSOT soon followed. More recently, Tianma has also begun reviewing 8.6G OLED investment, drawing attention across the industry. This shift signals that the OLED market is moving beyond a smartphone-centered structure and into a phase of expanding demand driven by notebooks, tablets, and monitors.

As the market grows, technology requirements for IT OLEDs are also becoming more stringent. The report highlights that IT products have longer replacement cycles and a higher percentage of white-background usage for document work, making them more vulnerable to burn-in than smartphones. As a result, 2-stack tandem OLED, known for long lifetime, high brightness, and high efficiency, is evaluated as essential. Samsung Display, BOE, and Visionox are therefore investing in production lines capable of mass-producing 2-stack tandem OLED.

Customer acquisition competition is another critical factor. Samsung Display has secured Apple as a key customer and is building its strategy around mass production for the OLED “MacBook Pro.” In contrast, Chinese panel makers are prioritizing markets for OLED panels used in notebooks, tablets, and smartphones among Chinese and global brands, rather than targeting Apple’s supply chain as their first objective.

UBI Research Vice President Changwook Han stated, “As Chinese OLED panel makers rush into 8.6G OLED investments in an effort to catch up with Samsung Display, the industry is closely watching how effectively Samsung Display can leverage its technology leadership to secure additional IT customers beyond Apple.”

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

Featured image of ASUS ROG Swift OLED PG27AQWP-W equipped with LG Display’s 4th Gen White OLED panel — 540Hz refresh rate and 1,500-nit peak brightness

ASUS ROG Leads Gaming Monitor Innovation with LG Display’s 4th-Generation White OLED

/in , /by

ASUS’s gaming brand, ROG, recently released its 27-inch gaming monitor, the ROG Swift OLED PG27AQWP-W, featuring LG Display’s latest 4th-generation white OLED panel. LG Display is extending its proven TV technology to the monitor market, enhancing brightness and durability to address OLED’s weaknesses. ASUS, a top-five global gaming monitor manufacturer, has adopted this new OLED panel for its ROG series, marking a significant step toward popularizing OLED technology in the premium gaming monitor market.

The ROG Swift OLED PG27AQWP-W features a 26.5-inch QHD resolution, 4th-generation white OLED panel, and supports dual modes: 540Hz in QHD and 720Hz in HD. It boasts a fast response time of 0.02ms, and the application of LG Display’s 4th-generation white OLED technology delivers high luminance efficiency and a lifespan that’s approximately 60% longer than previous models. Color expression has been improved by 25%, and maximum brightness has been increased by 15% compared to the previous model.

ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQWP-W vs XG27AQDMG gaming monitor specs comparison – 4th Gen White OLED applied (Source: ASUS)

Comparison of ASUS ROG Swift PG27AQWP-W and XG27AQDMG specs (Source: ASUS)

The structure of the 4th generation white OLED is a 4-layer configuration including 2 blue light-emitting layers and red and green layers. On the other hand, the 3rd generation white OLED was a 3-layer structure with 2 blue light-emitting layers and red, green, and yellow elements arranged in one layer, and a Micro Lens Array (MLA) was applied. The peak brightness (based on 1.5% APL) of the ‘ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMG’ using the 3rd generation OLED was around 1,300 nits, but this new model with the 4th generation OLED applied has improved to 1,500 nits, realizing much clearer HDR picture quality.

Comparison of LG Display’s 3rd and 4th Gen White OLED structures with brightness and lifetime improvements (Source: LG Display)

Comparison between 3rd and 4th Gen White OLED structure and performance (Source: LG Display)

LG Display’s 4th-generation OLED was first applied to LG Electronics’ “UltraGear 27GX700A” gaming monitor, in addition to ASUS. This model demonstrated the performance of the new OLED technology, achieving a full white brightness of 335 nits and a peak brightness of 1,500 nits. Starting with this ASUS ROG model, LG Display plans to expand the application of the 4th-generation white OLED to various IT monitors. Building on its expertise in OLED TVs, LG Display aims to deliver a new level of picture quality competitiveness in both gaming and creative applications.

“LG Display’s 4th-generation OLED is expected to accelerate the adoption of OLED in both the gaming and IT display markets by applying proven TV technology to monitors,” said Changwook Han, Executive Vice President of UBI Research. “In particular, the improved lifespan and high brightness achieved through the 4th-generation white OLED structure will be a significant turning point in the competitive landscape of the high-end gaming monitor market.”

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

Tianma official blue logo representing the company’s expansion of its Xiamen 8.6G LCD TM19 line for Apple IT display supply

Tianma to Significantly Expand Capacity of Xiamen 8.6-Generation LCD TM19 Line to Prepare for Apple IT Display Supply

/in , /by

Tianma official logo image (Source: Tianma)

Tianma is rapidly strengthening its competitiveness in the IT and industrial display markets by significantly expanding the capacity of its 8.6-generation LCD production line, TM19, located in Xiamen.

Currently operating at a capacity of 40K sheets per month, the TM19 line is set to expand to 70K per month by early 2026 and further to 160K per month by early 2027. The current production allocation consists of approximately 15K sheets per month for mobile applications, 20K for IT applications, and 5K for 50-inch industrial panels.

Notably, Tianma has completed technical evaluations aimed at supplying panels for Apple’s iPad and MacBook and is planning to invest in three module lines capable of supporting products ranging from 7 to 16 inches. Among them, one line investment is being prioritized and is reportedly awaiting Apple’s final approval. Industry sources anticipate that part of LG Display’s supply volume may be transferred to Tianma.

In addition to the LCD capacity expansion, the company is also reviewing potential investments in 8.6-generation OLED production. While the specific technology direction and timeline have not yet been finalized, the Xiamen plant is likely to serve as the main base if the OLED investment proceeds.

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

▶ China Trends Report Inquiry

Chart showing automotive OLED shipments and market shares with Porsche adopting curved OLED displays for premium EV models

Cumulative Automotive OLED Shipments Reach 2.7 Million Units in Q3 – Porsche Adopts Curved OLED in Its Premium EV

/in , /by

The presence of OLED technology in the global automotive display market is expanding rapidly. According to UBI Research’s “Q4 Display Market Tracker,” shipments of automotive OLED displays reached approximately 2.5 million units in 2024, and the cumulative shipments as of Q3 2025 have already totaled around 2.7 million units.

By panel maker, Samsung Display maintained a dominant lead with 1.71 million units (64%), followed by BOE with 570,000 units (21%). LG Display and Ever Display accounted for 220,000 (8%) and 180,000 units (7%), respectively, continuing their expansion in the premium vehicle segment.

Quarterly shipment trends of automotive OLED displays comparing Samsung Display, BOE, LG Display, and EverDisplay (Source: UBI Research)

Quarterly Automotive OLED Display Shipments (Source: UBI Research)

Q1–Q3 2025 Automotive OLED shipment and market share by vendor — Samsung Display 64%, BOE 21%, LG Display 8%, EverDisplay 7% (Source: UBI Research)

Automotive OLED Shipments and Market Share, Q1–Q3 2025 (Source: UBI Research)

The growth of automotive OLED adoption has been driven by premium electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers. A notable example is Porsche’s upcoming Cayenne Electric, scheduled for launch at the end of this year, which will feature a large 42-inch curved OLED display. The display system consists of a 14.25-inch driver cluster, a 12.25-inch center information display (CID), and a 14.9-inch co-driver display (CDD).

The 12.25-inch curved center OLED is expected to be supplied by either LG Display or Samsung Display. Both companies have previously supplied P-OLED (Plastic OLED) curved displays for premium European brands such as Audi and Mercedes-Benz, demonstrating their technological reliability and strong capabilities in curved-panel manufacturing.

In contrast, the cluster and CDD OLED panels are likely to be provided by BOE. The Chinese panel maker began mass-producing OLED instrument clusters in 2024 and has been supplying them to Volkswagen Group, Porsche’s parent company, thereby accelerating its penetration into the global premium OEM supply chain.

OLED technology is increasingly replacing conventional LCD panels, establishing itself as a core enabler for design differentiation and enhanced user experience in premium vehicles. Its self-emissive nature allows for superior contrast ratios, deep blacks, and flexible curved form factors-features particularly valued in electric and luxury cars. Furthermore, OLED displays align well with next-generation Human-Machine Interface (HMI) trends, supporting multi-display layouts, curved user interfaces, and integrated digital cluster designs that enhance both aesthetics and functionality inside vehicles.

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

▶2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis Report

▶ Quarterly Small OLED Display Market Tracker Sample

▶Quarterly Medium & Large OLED Display Market Tracker Sample

Chart showing quarterly tablet OLED shipments by UBI Research with QoQ and YoY growth trends in 2024–2025

Tablet OLED Demand Rebounds… Mid- to Large-Size OLED Shipments Up 11% in Q3 2025

/in , /by
Quarterly OLED shipment trend for tablet PCs from 2024 to 2025, showing QoQ and YoY growth (Source: UBI Research)

Quarterly OLED Shipments for Tablet PCs (Source: UBI Research)

According to UBI Research’s Q4 Mid- to Large-Size OLED Display Market Tracker, the mid- to large-size OLED market in Q3 2025 rose 11% QoQ in shipments and 7.2% QoQ in revenue. This indicates that demand for mid- to large-size OLED panels is gradually recovering, exiting the slump that persisted since the second half of last year.

Within this segment, tablet PC OLED panels posted particularly strong growth. Q3 tablet OLED shipments increased 56% QoQ and 25.9% YoY, largely driven by the full-scale ramp of panel supply for Apple’s new iPad Pro. After a lull since Q3 last year, tablet OLED demand is rebounding quickly alongside the resumption of iPad Pro shipments.

By panel maker, Samsung Display supplied approximately 1.5 million OLED panels for tablets in the third quarter, while LG Display shipped about 1.3 million units. Among Samsung Display’s shipments, around 700,000 units were for the iPad Pro, whereas all of LG Display’s shipments were used exclusively in the iPad Pro. Both companies count Apple as a key client. In addition, Samsung Display solely supplies OLED panels for Samsung Electronics’ own Galaxy Tab S series.

Chinese panel makers are also increasing shipments of tablet OLEDs. Everdisplay (EDO) has been rapidly expanding its market share, recording 600,000–800,000 units per quarter since Q4 2024. BOE and Visionox are likewise supplying tablet OLED panels—albeit in smaller volumes—to Chinese device makers, steadily raising their output.

UBI Research’s Executive Vice President Chang-wook Han commented, “Today’s tablet OLED market is dominated by Apple, which supports the strong position of Korean panel makers. However, as OLED adoption expands beyond the iPad Pro to more affordable lineups such as iPad Air and iPad mini, Korean vendors could see their share pressured. At the same time, higher adoption among Chinese brands is expected to gradually lift the market share of Chinese panel makers.”

He added, “Amid these shifts, it remains to be seen whether Samsung Display and LG Display can maintain their technology lead and defend their market shares.

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

Hyundai Mobis rollable OLED display technology for Genesis GV90

The GV90’s Vehicle HMI Evolves with Rollable OLED

/in , /by

The luxury car market is emerging as a new stage for display innovation. Rollable OLED displays are gaining attention as a key technology for achieving both minimalism and cutting-edge sensibilities in vehicle interiors, and major manufacturers such as Hyundai Mobis and Forvia are competing to apply this technology to luxury vehicles.

In China, this technology has already become a reality. Hongqi’s ultra-luxury sedan, the Guoya (aka Hongqi L1), features a 14.2-inch rollable OLED display developed by Visionox. This display is designed to be stored within the dashboard and unfolds upward when needed. When off, it is completely hidden, maximizing the sense of integration within the interior. While driving, it displays limited information, but when stationary, it expands to display navigation and entertainment functions full-screen. The Hongqi Guoya is an ultra-luxury sedan priced at approximately 1.4 million to 1.86 million yuan (approximately 250 million won), serving as a Chinese flagship model competing with the Mercedes-Maybach and Bentley Flying Spur. The inclusion of a rollable OLED display in this vehicle goes beyond a simple luxury strategy and is interpreted as an attempt by the Chinese automaker to secure technological leadership in the premium market through advanced display technology.

Similar trends are being detected in Korea. Hyundai Mobis filed a patent (US12422892B2) in 2021 for a “rollable display for vehicles,” which features a structure that allows the OLED panel to be rolled up or unfolded around a rotating roller within the housing. According to the patent, horizontal and vertical supports are arranged on the back of the display panel to prevent panel deformation due to vibration or touch pressure while driving. It also includes a wing-shaped support structure that ensures the entire panel remains flat when unfolded. In other words, it’s not simply a “rollable” technology that simply rolls up, but a structural design that ensures stable visibility and rigidity even in driving conditions.

Rollable OLED display structure for vehicles based on US12422892B2 patent

Rollable OLED Display Architecture (US12422892B2) (Source: Hyundai Mobis)

Hyundai Mobis unveiled an actual rollable OLED prototype based on this patented technology at CES 2024. The product can be expanded up to 30 inches and the screen can be adjusted to 1/3, 2/3, and full modes. When the ignition is turned off, it completely retracts and disappears into the dashboard, and its structure shows the screen only when needed, suggesting the concept of “the most luxurious display when it is invisible.” The installation space is only about 12 cm, allowing for a high degree of freedom in interior design, and it has achieved automotive QHD (2560×1440) picture quality. Hyundai Mobis is preparing for mass production, and Samsung Display and LG Display are known to be competing to supply the panels.

Hyundai Mobis rollable OLED display prototype for vehicles

Hyundai Mobis rollable OLED display prototype for vehicles (Source: Hyundai Mobis)

The Genesis GV90 is being considered as a potential application for this technology. Hyundai Motor Group’s flagship electric SUV, the GV90, is attracting industry attention as a model likely to feature a rollable OLED display. Genesis’s reasons for considering a rollable display are clear. First, it aims to create a minimalist and luxurious interior by displaying digitalized driving information only when needed. Second, it has a functional purpose: the large screen can adjust its viewing area to avoid obstructing the driver’s view while driving. Third, it serves as a technological differentiation strategy to compete with global luxury brands. Being the world’s first “luxury SUV equipped with rollable OLED” could help Genesis narrow the gap with premium electrified models like the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV and BMW iX.

Industry experts don’t view this trend as a simple design change. UBI Research Executive Vice President Changwook Han analyzed, “The application of rollable OLED to vehicles is not just a simple display innovation, but a technological evolution that will reorganize the paradigm of space design and user interface (UI).” He added, “The transition from large fixed screens to variable displays will emerge as an important option for premium vehicle interiors in the future.”

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

▶2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis Report

Q3 OLED Panel Shipments Surge with iPhone 17 Effect

OLED panel shipments surge in Q3, with Korean companies showing a clear recovery thanks to the iPhone 17 launch

/in , /by
Bar chart of quarterly OLED panel shipments for smartphones in 2025

OLED panel shipments for smartphones by company in Q1–Q3 2025,  (Source: UBI Research)

According to the “OLED Display Market Tracker,” published quarterly by UBI Research, Korean panel manufacturers saw a significant increase in smartphone and foldable phone panel shipments in the third quarter. This is the result of a rapid recovery from a temporary decline in the second quarter, a period of weak smartphone demand, driven by the popularity of the iPhone series and Samsung Electronics’ new products.

Samsung Display saw a surge in panel shipments for the iPhone 17 series and the Galaxy S25 FE in the third quarter, significantly boosting flexible OLED shipments that had stagnated in the second quarter. Rigid OLED shipments remained stable, maintaining similar levels to the previous quarter.

LG Display’s panel shipments surged from approximately 10.8 million units in the second quarter to approximately 20 million units in the third quarter, nearly doubling forecasts. LG Display supplies smartphone panels exclusively to Apple, so the launch of the iPhone 17 series was the primary driver of shipment growth. Shipments for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, in particular, accounted for approximately 60% of total shipments, the largest share.

Chinese panel makers also saw shipment growth. BOE shipped approximately 5.4 million units, and Visionox increased shipments by approximately 6.7 million units compared to the second quarter. BOE’s main customer was Oppo, followed by Apple and Huawei. With the gradual expansion of iPhone panel supply, Apple is likely to emerge as a key customer for BOE in the fourth quarter. Visionox shipped the most refurbished panels, followed by Honor, Xiaomi, and Vivo.

“Korean panel makers have shown a clear recovery in shipments since the third quarter, and Chinese companies are also continuing to grow,” said  Changwook Han, Executive Vice President of UBI Research. “Securing stable shipments from Apple, their most important customer, will be a key challenge for Korean companies going forward. However, Samsung Display and LG Display have already established a solid presence in the global premium market, so we expect them to maintain their strategic advantage even amidst competition with BOE.”

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

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

/in , /by
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

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

/in , /by
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

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

/in , /by
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

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

/in , /by

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

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

/in , /by

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)

▶2025 Small OLED Display Annual Report Sample

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

[K-Display 2025] LG Display, Zero Bezel AM Micro-LED Display

/in /by

[K-Display 2025] LG Display, Stretchable Micro-LED Display

/in /by

[K-Display 2025] LG Display, 4th Gen OLED

/in /by

[K-Display 2025] LG Display, DFR Gaming OLED

/in /by

The Evolution of Automotive Displays: OLED Leading the Premium Market

/in , /by

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

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

/in , /by

– 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

▶ Quarterly Small OLED Display Market Tracker Sample

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

/in , /by

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

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

/in , /by

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

▶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

/in , /by
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

/in , /by
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

Automotive OLED Display Trends Seen Through SID 2025

/in , /by

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

55-inch OLED transparent sunroof

55-inch OLED transparent sunroof

BOE OLED smart cockpit

OLED smart cockpit

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

Visionox UDIR OLED

UDIR OLED

Visionox Dual screen

Dual screen

Visionox Privacy OLED

Privacy OLED

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

Tianma 13-inch slidable OLED

13-inch slidable OLED

Tianma 13-inch multi curvature OLED

13-inch multi curvature OLED

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

▶2025 Automotive Display Technology and Industry Trends Analysis Report

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

/in , /by
2Q25-Quaterly-OLED-Emitting-Material-Market-Tracker

‘2Q25_Quaterly OLED Emitting Material Market Tracker’

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

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

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

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

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

▶OLED Emitting Material Market Tracker Sample

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.

/in , /by
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

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

/in , /by
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

[SID 2025] Automotive Micro LED Displays (LG Display, AUO, BOE, TCL CSOT, TIANMA)

/in /by

[SID 2025] LG Display 13-inch Ph-Blue Hybrid Tandem OLED

/in /by

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

/in /by

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

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

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

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

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

45-inch DFR gaming monitor

45-inch DFR gaming monitor

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

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

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

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

▶2025 Small OLED Display Annual Report Sample

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

[SID 2025] LG Display, 12-inch Stretchable Micro LED

/in /by

[SID 2025] LG Display, 22″ Zero Bezel Micro-LED

/in /by

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

/in , /by

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

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

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

▶2025 OLED Emitting Materials Report Sample

Preview of SID 2025

/in , /by

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

LG Display Hybrid Phosphorescent Blue Tandem Product Verification and Patent Application

/in , /by

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

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

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

(Source: LG Display)

(Source: LG Display)

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

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

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

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

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

/in , /by

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

/in , /by
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

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

/in , /by
1Q25_Quarterly OLED Emitting Material Market Tracker

1Q25 Quarterly OLED Emitting Material Market Tracker

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

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

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

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

▶OLED Emitting Material Market Track Sample

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

/in , /by
‘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

Moving forward with ultra-large vehicle displays

/in , /by

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

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

/in , /by

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

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

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

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

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

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

▶OLED Emitting Material Market Track Sample

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

/in , /by
UBI Research ‘4Q24 Medium&Large OLED Display Market Track’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

▶Medium & Large OLED Display Quarterly Market Track Sample

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

/in , /by
‘4Q24 Small OLED Display Market Track’

‘4Q24 Small OLED Display Market Track’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

▶Small OLED Display Quarterly Market Track Sample

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

/in , /by
iPhone 17 Slim expected image (screen capture from @Apple Explained on YouTube)

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

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

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

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

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

▶Small OLED Display Quarterly Market Track Sample

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

/in , /by

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

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

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

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

▶AMOLED Emitting Material Market Track Sample

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

/in , /by

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

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

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

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

▶Medium & Large OLED Display Market Track Sample

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

/in , /by
OLED panel shipment forecast for tablet PC

OLED panel shipment forecast for tablet PC

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

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

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

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

▶ 2024 Mid-Large OLED Display Annual Report Sample Download

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

/in , /by

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

/in , /by

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

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

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

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

OLED emitting material market

OLED emitting material market

▶ 4Q23 OLED Emitting Material Market Track Sample Download

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

/in , /by

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

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

Shipment forecast for IT OLED

Shipment forecast for IT OLED

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

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

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

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

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

▶ IT OLED Technology and Industry Trend Analysis Report Sample

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

/in , /by
LG Display ‘Discovering the Best Automotive Display Solution for Tomorrow

LG Display ‘Discovering the Best Automotive Display Solution for Tomorrow

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

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

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

LG Display ‘Discovering the Best Automotive Display Solution for Tomorrow

LG Display ‘Discovering the Best Automotive Display Solution for Tomorrow

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

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

LG Display ‘Discovering the Best Automotive Display Solution for Tomorrow

LG Display ‘Discovering the Best Automotive Display Solution for Tomorrow

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

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

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

/in , /by

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

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

Samsung Display 2D↔3D Display

Samsung Display 2D↔3D Display

Samsung DIsplay Light Field Display

Samsung DIsplay Light Field Display

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

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

LG Display Rollable OLED

LG Display Rollable OLED

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

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

LG디스플레이 부스

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

/in , /by
LG Display’s 2Q 2023 Performance Summary

LG Display’s 2Q 2023 Performance Summary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

▶ 2023 Medium and Large OLED Display Annual Report Sample Download

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

/in , /by
Apple iPad Pro

Apple iPad Pro

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

▶ 2023 Medium and Large OLED Display Annual Report Sample Download

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

/in , /by

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

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

Choong Hoon YI, CEO of UBI Research

Choong Hoon YI, CEO of UBI Research

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

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

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

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

▶ 2023 Medium and Large OLED Display Annual Report Sample Download

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

/in , /by

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

total emitting material market

total emitting material market

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

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

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

▶ 2023 OLED Emitting Material Report Sample Download

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

/in , /by

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

Shipment Forecast for OLED TV

Shipment Forecast for OLED TV

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

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

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

▶ 2023 Medium and Large OLED Display Annual Report Sample Download

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

/in , /by

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

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

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

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

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

 

LG Display strengthens its transparent OLED lineup by launching 77-inch transparent OLED this year

/in , /by
LG Display at 2023 display technology roadmap

LG Display at 2023 display technology roadmap

LG Display announced that it will release 77-inch transparent OLED products by the end of this year. LG Display plans to continuously strengthen its transparent OLED product lineup, which is a next-generation technology.

At the presentation of the 2023 display technology roadmap held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the 21st, Yeo Joon-ho, group manager of LG Display, said, “In addition to the 55-inch size that is currently being released as transparent OLED, we plan to release 77-inch transparent OLED products by the end of 2023.”

LG Display Transparent OLED

LG Display Transparent OLED

Emphasized that “transparent OLED can create a sense of openness that can connect spaces and create new spaces and advertising areas,” adding, “Recently, interior-friendly designs are in the limelight. We have tried many ways to realize the needs of consumers, and if we meet them, we will be able to open consumers’ wallets even at high prices.”

Finally, “LG ​​Display is currently a B2B company, and transparent OLED products are being sold to B2B customers rather than B2C. In the future, we plan to expand the scope to B2C customers.” Group leader Yeo said, “The reaction to transparent OLED in Europe and the US was not bad. However, since the transparent OLED market is centered on B2B, there has not yet been a case where a large unit of volume explodes at once. We are thinking about how to effectively continue our fragmented business.”

▶ AMOLED Manufacturing Process Report Ver.5 Sample Download

LG Display, Already completed development of OLEDoS-applied prototype for VR

/in , /by
LG Display presenting OLEDoS at OLED School

LG Display presenting OLEDoS at OLED School

At the 19th OLED School held at Sookmyung Women’s University from February 9th to 10th, Senior Research Fellow Yoo Chung-geun of LG Display announced, “We are developing a set for VR using OLEDoS, and some of the prototypes have already been developed.”

On this day, Research Fellow Choong-Keun Yoo gave a presentation on ‘The Future of OLED Display, Metaverse and Display’. Researcher Yu explained the specifications and technologies required for micro displays such as metaverse and VR/AR, and said, “In general VR devices, luminance of 10,000 nits or more and AR devices require luminance of 100,000 nits or more, but it is difficult to apply this to OLEDoS. Currently, the display for AR developed by LG Display has achieved a brightness of over 7,000 nits and a resolution of 3,500 ppi.”

LG Display OLEDoS Manufacturing Process

LG Display OLEDoS Manufacturing Process

3500ppi or higher OLEDoS being developed by LG Display requires ultra-high-definition patterns, so Si-wafer backplane and WOLED + CoE technology must be applied, so cooperation with semiconductor foundries is essential. Research Fellow Yu explained, “For high-resolution OLEDoS, semiconductor foundries have no choice but to make display backplanes through wafers.”

Finally, researcher Yoo said, “We are developing a set for VR using OLEDoS, and it is planned to be released soon. We are developing products for major IT companies such as Apple, Google, and Meta, and some prototypes have already been developed.” He continued, “It takes more time to supply products that meet consumer needs, such as brightness of 10,000 nits or more, but it is possible to produce better VR devices even with 3500ppi class OLEDoS, which has now been developed.” When asked if the next actual product supply time was right before September, he replied, “There is nothing planned yet.”

▶ AMOLED Manufacturing Process Report Ver.5 Sample Download

Fold, extend… Foldable IT device trends seen through exhibition trends

/in , /by

As panel makers have recently accelerated the development of foldable OLEDs, a variety of products, including foldable phones, foldable tablet PCs, and foldable laptops, are being exhibited. We look at the development trend based on the exhibited products of panel makers.

‘Flex Hybrid’ and ‘Slidable Flex Duet’ exhibited by Samsung Display

‘Flex Hybrid’ and ‘Slidable Flex Duet’ exhibited by Samsung Display

At CES 2023, which was held in January, Samsung Display, a leader in foldable displays, exhibited the ‘Flex Hybrid’, a combination of foldable and slider, and the ‘Slidable Flex Solo’, which extends on one side and, the ‘Slidable Flex Duo’, which extends on both sides. In the ‘Flex Hybrid’, the screen expands from the default 8 inches to 10.5 inches when the folded screen is unfolded, and to 12.4 inches when the right side is extended. Sliderable products can expand the screen from the basic 13 to 14 inches to 17 inches.

Prior to this, Samsung Display had exhibited S-type and G-type, double-folding ‘Flex S’ and ‘Flex G’, and ‘Slidable Wide’ that extends outward in 2022, and all three products had a maximum size of 12.4 inches. The size of the prototypes is 12.4 inches, which is the same as Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Tab S8+. When mass-producing actual products, it is expected that mass-production will be carried out according to the needs of set makers.

Foldable OLED for laptops from Samsung Display, LG Display, and BOE

Foldable OLED for laptops from Samsung Display, LG Display, and BOE

In addition to tablet PCs, foldable laptops are also being developed. Samsung Display exhibited the 17.3-inch foldable OLED ‘Flex Note’ for laptops at IMID 2022 and SID 2022. Originally, Samsung Display was expected to supply this 17.3-inch foldable OLED to Samsung Electronics last year, but the schedule was delayed to this year.

LG Display is also developing a foldable OLED for 17.3-inch laptops. LG Display exhibited a 17.3-inch ‘Foldable OLED Laptop’ with an improved folding radius of 1.5R at IMID 2022. LG Display is currently developing foldable OLED for laptops with the goal of supplying HP.

BOE of China is also developing foldable OLED for IT. BOE exhibited a 12.3-inch foldable OLED for tablet PCs that double-folds into an S-type at SID 2022 in May of last year. It also unveiled a foldable OLED for 17.3-inch laptops, and this panel was mounted on Asus’s ‘ZenBook 17 Fold’ released in 2022.

Samsung Display, LG Display, and BOE are all developing foldable OLEDs for notebooks in the same size and resolution. When full-scale mass production begins, competition for panel supply between the three companies is expected to be fierce.

▶ AMOLED Manufacturing Process Report Ver.5 Sample Download

LG Display Expected to Supply only LTPO Panels for iPhone 15 to be Released in 2023

/in , /by
iPhone 15 expected lineup

iPhone 15 expected lineup

It is forecasted that LG Display will supply only two panels of the LTPO model among the iPhone 15 series to be released in 2023. It is unlikely that panels will be supplied to 6.1 inch LTPS models that have previously supplied panels. LG Display first started supplying OLED panels for the iPhone11 Pro max released in 2019 and supplied LTPO TFT-applied panels for the first time for the iPhone14 Pro max released this year.

According to the prospect that LG Display will supply LTPO panels for iPhone 15 to be released next year, Samsung Display and LG Display will jointly supply LTPO models. Samsung Display is expected to supply panels for all 4 types of iPhone15, LG Display for 2 pro models, and BOE for 6.1-inch LTPS models. It is still unknown whether BOE will supply panels for the 6.7-inch LTPS model.

It was in 2017 that Apple began to apply OLED to iPhone. LTPO TFT was applied from the iPhone13 pro series released last year and LTPO TFT applied panel was supplied to Apple for the first time by Samsung Display.

▶ 2022 Small OLED Display Semi-Annual Report Sample Download

[IFA 2022] LG Display Booth

/in /by

#ifa2022 #lgdisplay #oledtv

▶ UBI Research official website
https://ubiresearch.com/en/

▶If you are curious about the latest news related to OLED?
https://en.olednet.com/

▶Business, display report inquiry
marketing@ubiresearch.com
+82-2-577-4391

[K-Display 2022] LG Display creates new value with transparent OLED

/in , /by

At ‘K-Display 2022’ held from August 10 to 12, LG Display exhibited various transparent OLED products such as wall type and TV type. The transparent OLED exhibited this time had a transmittance of 45% and a resolution of FHD level.

LG Display's transparent OLED

LG Display’s transparent OLED exhibited at K-Display 2022

At the ‘Display BUSINESS Forum 2022’ held on the 11th, Kang Won-seok, managing director of LG Display, said that the use of transparent OLEDs is increasing due to improved transmittance and reduced weight.

Director Kang mentioned that LG Display has been developing transparent OLED since 2014, and announced that he would increase the value of transparent OLED in line with internal activities that have been increasing since COVID-19.

LG Display Transparent OLED Roadmap

LG Display Transparent OLED Roadmap

Currently, LG Display is mass-producing transparent OLED on a limited basis in its E3 line. Currently, only 55-inch transparent OLEDs are being mass-produced, but from the second half of this year, they plan to expand the lineup to 77 inches.

LG Display’s transparent OLED is mainly used for museums and signage in China. As demand is expected to increase in the future, LG Display is expected to respond to the market by lowering panel prices and introducing production lines other than E3.

▶ OLED Display Report Sample Download

LG디스플레이 부스

[K-Display 2022] LG Display Online Booth Tour

/in , /by

This is the LG Display booth exhibited at K-Display 2022.
LG Display exhibited OLED.EX, transparent OLED, and various concept OLED products.
I hope it will be of some help to those who could not attend K-Display 2022.

▶ UBI Research official website
https://ubiresearch.com/en/

▶Business, display report inquiry
marketing@ubiresearch.com
+82-2-577-4391

▶If you are curious about the latest news related to OLED?
https://en.olednet.com/

LG디스플레이 투명OLED

[K-Display 2022] LG Display’s Transparent OLED

/in , /by

This is LG Display’s new transparent OLED display.
It was amazing to actually see the technology we saw in sci-fi movies when we were young.
How can LG Display’s transparent OLED be applied to our lives?

▶ UBI Research official website
https://ubiresearch.com/en/

▶Business, display report inquiry
marketing@ubiresearch.com
+82-2-577-4391

▶If you are curious about the latest news related to OLED?
https://en.olednet.com/

This Year’s OLED Mass Production Capacity Substrate Area is Expected to be 47.3 million ㎡

/in , /by

According to the ‘2022 OLED Components and Materials Report’ recently published by UBI Research (www.ubiresearch.com), a company specialized in OLED market research, the substrate area of ​​the total OLED mass production capacity in 2022 is expected to be 47.3milion ㎡. In 2022, the LTPO TFT line and EDO’s 6th-generation rigid OLED line, which Samsung Display invested in to supplement the idle capacity of the A3 line, are scheduled to be operated. In 2023, LG Display’s E6-4 line and BOE’s B12-3 line Line, Samsung Display’s 8.5G IT line are expected to be put into operation in 2024.

As for the substrate area of ​​small OLED for smart watch and smartphone, the line capacity for rigid OLED in 2022 is 5.29 million ㎡, accounting for 24.8% of the market share. Rigid OLED investment is not expected in the future. In 2022, the capacity for flexible OLED is 15.3 million ㎡, accounting for 71.5% of the total. From 2024, part of Samsung Display’s A3 line will be converted to an IT line, and the mass production capacity is expected to decrease. The line capacity for foldable OLED is expected to reach 0.79 million ㎡ in 2022 and 1.52 million ㎡ from 2023.       

Samsung Display’s IT line capacity is expected to expand to 2.69 million ㎡ by 2025 as part of the A3 line is converted to an IT line in the first half of 2024. A new 8.5G line is expected to be operated in 2024. From the second half of 2023, LG Display’s capacity is expected to be 0.75 and 0.52 million ㎡, respectively, with the E6-4 line operating and BOE’s B12-3 line operating.

OLED line capacity for TV is not expected to change until 2026 unless additional investment is made. From 2022, LG Display’s mass production capacity is 20.3 million ㎡, accounting for 85.5% of the total. Capacity is expected to increase further depending on whether additional customers are secured in the future. Samsung Display’s capacity is 3.3 million ㎡ and BOE’s is 0.13 million ㎡, accounting for 13.9% and 0.6% of market share, respectively.

Meanwhile, the ‘2022 OLED Components and Materials Report’ published this time dealt with the latest OLED industry issues analysis, development of components and materials for foldable devices, industry status, analysis of mass production capacity of OLED panel companies, and major component and material market forecasts. It is expected to help parts and materials companies to understand related technologies and predict future technology directions and markets.

▶ 2022 OLED Components and Materials Report Inquiry

Can VR replace TVs and Monitors?

/in , /by

VR devices have been on the rise since 2016 and were expected to be an important factor in IT business, but have not yet made a big impact. At CES 2016, Intel exhibited applications that enable creative activities such as education and art. In 2017, Samsung presented games and movies that can be felt with the body in 4D form at the IFA VR experiment zone.

VR features excellent immersion and presence. A 1-inch display can look like a 60-inch display. The display that provides information uses micro-display, but LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon) has a slow response speed, poor color, and low contrast ratio. So the trend is changing to OLEDoS (OLED on silicon). Sony is making its own micro OLED and Panasonic is working with US Kopin to make VR.
Recently, VR devices are preparing to replace monitors. If it is made in high resolution, about 10 screens can be displayed on each VR monitor screen. In the future, the monitor market will change to the VR market. VR can emerge as the best dark horse in the IT market. VR may possibly also replace TVs. A head speaker with a much better three-dimensional effect is essential. There may also be changes in the movie theaters as a VR device might provide a 60-inch screen and provide a high sense of immersion into the film for movie-goers.
Micro OLED composition consists of TFT designed on a silicon wafer and OLED is formed on it. LGD’s WOLED method is used for OLED. The RGB method requires a fine metal mask, but the AP system is preparing a mask capable of 2000ppi or more using a laser. Because WOLED uses a color filter, there is a loss of about 10%. RGB may be more advantageous in terms of luminance, but for commercialization, WOLED resolution can be much higher. Since it has been developed for a long time, WOLED is expected to be applied. Applications include military, medical, industrial, viewfinder, smart glasses, and the like.

Recently, Apple requested LG Display and Samsung Display to prepare Micro OLED. LG Display placed an order for the Sunic System evaporator in June and is moving quickly.
Samsung Electronics also has a request for VR. In 2025, it can be seen that LG Display and Samsung Display can produce many types of Micro OLED. We expect to see Apple’s VR devices around 2024.

Related Report : 2022 Micro-display REPORT

What is the future change of WRGB OLED to respond to QD-OLED?

/in , /by

 

2As Samsung Display’s QD-OLED begins to be applied to TVs and monitors in earnest in 2022, technological changes are being detected for LG Display’s WRGB OLED, which has been leading the large OLED market.

LG Display’s WRGB OLED has produced a WBC structure consisting of two blue layers and one red+yellow green layer in Paju by the end of 2021, and a WBE structure consisting of two blue layers and one red+green+yellow green layer in Guangzhou. Deuterium substitution technology was applied to the blue of the WBE structure.

Since 2022, LG Display has stopped producing WBC panels from its Paju line and has been producing ‘OLED.EX’ panels with deuterium substitution technology applied additionally to green of WBE produced in Guangzhou.

<Photo of OLED.EX presented by LG Display at the 2022 OLED Korea Conference>

At SID 2022, LG Display also exhibited a large OLED panel with micro lens array technology. Micro lens array technology was applied to Samsung Electronics’ ‘Galaxy S Ultra’ series, and it is the first technology applied to large OLEDs. LG Display is known to expect a 20% improvement in luminance compared to the previous one by applying micro lens array technology. Panels which micro lens array technology is applied are expected to be produced in Paju from the second half of this year.

Lastly, it is known that LG Display is developing a structure in which yellow green is removed from WRGB OLED. By eliminating yellow green, material and processing costs can be saved, and color gamut is expected to be improved.

Attention is paid to how LG Display’s WRGB OLED will evolve to compete against QD-OLED.

<OLED panel with micro lens array technology exhibited by LG Display at SID 2022>

Introducing iPhone 14 Display Specifications and Panel Vendors

/in , /by

<Apple iPhone 14 Series Specifications>

 

Samsung Display, LG Display, and BOE are expected to supply panels to Apple’s new iPhone 14 series in 2022. It is expected that Samsung Display will supply panels to all models in addition to iPhone 13 series. LG Display will supply 6.12-inch LTPS models and 6.69-inch LTPO models. BOE will supply panels only to 6.12-inch LTPS models.

The existing 5.4-inch mini model has been removed from the iPhone 14 series and a 6.69-inch Max model has been added. The size and resolution of iPhone 14 Max are the same as iPhone 14 Pro Max and LTPS TFT is applied instead of LTPO TFT.

In terms of design, the iPhone14 Pro and 14 Pro Max will have a punch hole design instead of the conventional notch. Apple’s punch hole design is expected to be applied as a double punch hole design due to various sensors and cameras.

Meanwhile, the total OLED panel supply to Apple in 2022 is expected to be about 215 million units, with Samsung Display expected to supply 135 million units, LG Display 55 million units, and BOE 25 million units. However, shipments are expected to be organically controlled due to market conditions and Apple’s policies.

 

[2022 OLED KOREA CONFERENCE] LG Display’s OLED 3.0 Captures Brightness and Lifespan Simultaneously

/in , /by

At the keynote session of UBI Research’s ‘2022 OLED Korea Conference’ held from April 6th to 8th, Sang-Hyun Ahn, Managing Director of LG Display, announced, ‘The Present and Future of Automotive OLED Display: LG Display’s Future Outlook’.

Director Ahn announced, “The future will transform people and vehicles, and vehicles and vehicles to be connected, autonomous, shareable, and electrically driven. In order to respond to these changes, vehicle displays are getting bigger and more diverse in design, and displays are being applied to various locations to provide sights and information”.

Director Ahn continued, “The automotive display industry was led by LCD, but the OLED market is also gradually expanding its area.” He predicted, “The automotive OLED market will be worth $1.2 billion in 2025, It is also possible to grow to $6 billion.”

In addition, Director Ahn said, “LG ​​Display has already introduced an OLED 1.0 structure that satisfies the minimum requirements for automotive display: brightness of 800 nits and lifespan of 10,000 hours. Unlike OLED for smartphones, OLED for automobiles requires brightness of 800 nits or more to grasp accurate information even during the day, and lifespan of 10,000 hours or more is essential because the use cycle is more than 10 years. Although there is a trade-off between brightness and lifetime, we plan to develop OLED 3.0 with a brightness of 1,000 nits or more and a lifetime of 10,000 hours or more by overcoming this through development of materials and structures.”

Lastly, Director Ahn mentioned about future displays such as extra-large and transparent, slidable, and rollable that are applied to vehicles and said, “Many companies want large and many screens, but they want to hide those screens inside the vehicle. Slidable panels, which can be a solution to this, are already technologically stable and can become common around 2025. On the other hand, rollable panels, such as those that come down from a vehicle sunroof, still have a long way to go, but we will continue to develop them.”

 

[2022 OLED KOREA CONFERENCE] LG Display Executive Vice President Hyun-Woo Lee, Advancements in the Display Market with Technological Innovation that Suits Changing Lifestyles

/in , /by

Executive Vice President Lee explained OLED technology innovation, future application fields, and market changes. He mentioned that COVID-19 has increased everyone’s time at home and changes in life display is necessary to match it.

Executive Vice President Lee first explained LG Display’s OLED.EX, and said, “LG Display’s OLED.EX is the most advanced OLED panel to which EX technology is applied. OLED.EX applies deuterium to increase brightness (an important element in OLED panels) by 30%. Through personalize algorithm based on AI and big data, reliability will be increased.” He also emphasized that “LG Display’s OLED.EX will be applied to all OLED TVs in the second quarter of 2022 and LG Display will lead the display market with innovative technologies including OLED.EX.”

Next, Executive Vice President Lee announced about life displays applied to everyday life, and said, “OLED is applied to life displays such as gaming, transparent, and portable displays. OLED realizes 100% original color to increase the sense of reality and enables excellent interaction with eye care, making it suitable as a gaming display.” Also “Transparent OLED maximizes the advantages of OLED, enabling the highest level of transparency and picture quality. By applying it to signage, it provides an effective experience to customers, and by applying it to mobility, it can use the dead space to indicate the current operation status or use it for advertisements. In addition, it is possible to create a space of new value and change a creative lifestyle by applying it to life”.

‘2022 OLED Korea Conference’ was a conference for exchange of ideas, business relationships, and partnerships with renowned speakers from major companies in the display industry from all over the world. ‘2022 OLED Korea Conference’ held a business conference on the 7th and 8th, beginning with a tutorial on April 6th.

[2022 OLED KOREA CONFERENCE] Samsung Electronics Joins the OLED TV Market, and the TV Panel Market is Expected to Exceed 20 million Units in 2025

/in , /by

At UBI Research’s ‘2022 OLED Korea Conference’ held on April 6th-8th, UBI Research CEO Choong-Hoon Lee gave a presentation on, ‘OLED Market Review’.

CEO Lee presented the status of the entire OLED industry, market, and outlook with a focus on issues in 2022.

CEO Lee first announced the OLED TV business, a major issue in the recent OLED industry. CEO Lee said, “The biggest issue that has been heating up the OLED industry since the end of last year is OLED TV. There are topics such as Samsung Display’s re-entry into the large OLED business, sales of QD-OLED TVs between Samsung Electronics and Sony, and visualization of collaboration between Samsung Electronics and LG Display.”

In the TV OLED panel demand and supply forecast, CEO Lee said, “If Samsung Electronics purchases OLED panels from LG Display and conducts OLED TV business, LG Display and Samsung Display can supply a total of 12 million TV OLED panels this year. Among them, demand is 11.7 million units, and oversupply accounts for only 3%.” In addition, “With the joining of Samsung Electronics, the demand for OLED TV panels is expected to expand to 13 million units in 2023 and 20 million units in 2025. According to the expanding market, companies need to expand their facilities by the third quarter of this year” he predicted.

CEO Lee continued, “LG ​​Display has been working hard to secure funds for 8.5 generation OLED line expansion since last year, and it is estimated that it will secure additional funds for 45K expansion within this year. With LG Display’s additional measures, the TV OLED panel market is expected to reach 13.5 million units in 2023 and 16 million units after 2024. However, to secure a market of more than 20 million units, it is necessary to plan to invest in the 10.5 generation by next year” he analyzed. He also said, “If Samsung Display invests, 10.5G investment is desirable, but 8.5G investment is expected.” He said, “Whether LG Display invests or Samsung Display invests, a long-term supply contract with Samsung Electronics for 10.5G investment should take precedence. If the investment proceeds, Samsung Display is expected to secure its own funds, but LG Display is expected to require joint investment with Samsung Electronics.”

‘2022 OLED Korea Conference’ was a conference for exchange of ideas, business relationships, and partnerships with renowned speakers from major companies in the display industry from all over the world. ‘2022 OLED Korea Conference’ held a business conference on the 7th and 8th, beginning with a tutorial on April 6th.

 

2022 OLED KOREA Conference Day2 (Session highlights)

/in , /by

2022 OLED KOREA Conference Day1 (Session highlights)

/in , /by

SDC, 4Q2021 The Highest Smartphone Shipments 125 million units, Highest market share of flexible OLED 50.1%

/in , /by

According to UBI Research Weekly Report, Samsung Display’s OLED shipped 480 million units in 2021. The highest number of shipments were in the 4th quarter at 133 million units and the second highest was in the in 3rd quarter at 129 million units.

Samsung Display OLED application products shipped in 2021 were smartphones, watches, tablet PCs notebooks and TVs. OLED for TVs started shipment in the fourth quarter of last year. It was the first OLED for TV shipment in eight years since 2013 when they had discontinued mass production.

Samsung Display OLED for smartphones shipped 456 million units, which was 94% of the total shipments. OLED for watches shipped 14 million units, just 2.9% of the total shipments.

OLED for notebooks had the most significant growth in 2021. 5 million units were shipped, representing a 2.5 times higher growth than the 1.9 million Tablet PC units shipped.

According to a quarterly analysis of Samsung Display smartphones shipments in 2021, 125 million units were shipped in the fourth quarter, showing the highest performance. This is mainly due to high shipments to Apple in the fourth quarter for OLED for iPhone. In 2021, 102 million units of OLED for iPhone were shipped and 45.4 million units were supplied to Apple in the fourth quarter. Therefore, the market share was the highest at 50.1% in the fourth quarter for flexible OLED shipments.

Flexible OLED and rigid OLED shipments were 190 million units and 257 million units respectively in 2021. The annual shipment market share was 41.6% and 56.5% respectively. Foldable OLED shipments were 8.7 million units, a market share of 1.9%.

 

LG Display Achieves Record Sales in 2021, Swinging a Profit after Three Years

/in , /by

As LG Display posted the highest sales ever, at the same time it also made a sharp pivot into a profit for the first time in three years. On the 26th, LG Display announced that it had achieved annual sales of 29.878 trillion won and operating profit of 2.23 trillion won in 2021. “This is the result of the large-sized OLED panels in the premium market, the strengthening of the small and medium-sized OLED business base, and the innovation of LCD structures centered on IT products,” LG Display goes on the explain. While the overall TV market experienced negative growth last year, LG Display led the large-sized OLED business. OLED TV panel shipments grew by more than 70% compared to the previous year, which turned to profit in the second half of the year. This helped reach a break-even point.

Following the previous year’s earnings announcement, LG Display stated, “This year, we plan to expand profitability in stages based on shipment growth of more than 20% compared to the previous year and strengthened business capabilities,” and “From the second quarter, ‘OLED.EX’ will be applied to all OLED TV panel series to accelerate the trend toward OLED in the premium TV market.” OLED.EX is a TV panel that increases screen brightness (luminance) by 30% and reduces bezel by 30% by applying ‘deuterium technology’ and ‘personalization algorithm’ to organic light emitting devices. These are the core elements of OLED picture quality. In the case of small and medium-sized OLEDs, the mobile sector plans to improve profitability by expanding new models and high-end products in the second half of the year and expand to the overall mobility industry. The LCD division will continue its strategy of selection and concentration focusing on IT products.

LG Display also expressed confidence in Samsung Display, which has emerged as a new competitor in the OLED market. When asked about LG Display’s competitiveness compared to Samsung Display’s QD-OLED, Large-Scale Marketing Manager Lee Tae-Jong remarked, “Our competitor’s products have not been released yet, so an accurate comparison will be possible only after the actual launch.” He continued, ”LG Display, which has been in business for more than 10 years is far superior in our overall competitiveness in our products and cost, economies of scale, and customers. We will continue to widen the gap in the future.”

Small OLED performance in the second quarter of 2021

/in , /by

According to the market track on small OLED market performance of less than 10 inches published by UBI Research, Revenue and shipments in the second quarter were about $9.5 billion and 161.7 million units, respectively. QoQ(Quarter over Quarter) revenue and shipments decreased by -14.0% and -5.8%, respectively. Compared to the year over year (YoY), Revenue and shipments increased by 70.1% and 56.3%, respectively.

In 3Q, Samsung Display’s 6G LTPO TFT line capacity is expected to be increased to 60K units. LG Display decided to invest $15,000 in the LTPO TFT line for P6 ph3. The expected equipment installation time is the second quarter of 2022. BOE’s B15, which reviewed the investment in the 6G flexible OLED line, was changed to the 8.5G line for IT manufacturing. Revenue and shipments are expected to increase in the second half of 2021 with the mass production of Apple’s iPhone 13.

Medium & Large OLED performance in the second quarter of 2021

/in , /by

UBI Research has published a market track on the market performance of 10-inch and larger OLEDs. Applications include TVs, monitors, laptops, and tablet PCs.

According to UBI Research’s Medium & Large OLED market track, the total revenue in the second quarter were about $1.5 billion, which is a 6.5% (QoQ) increase from the previous quarter and 129.6% in the same quarter of the previous year (YoY). In the second quarter, shipments totaled 5.1 million units, an increase of -3.6% (QoQ) and 40.4% (YoY). Samsung Display’s notebook OLED shipments in the second quarter were about 900K units. LG Display shipped 1.8 million TV panels in the second quarter of 2021.

Although there were concerns about a decrease in the utilization rate of the rigid OLED line due to the decrease in OLED for smartphones sold to Samsung Electronics, the A2 line is gradually being converted to production of OLED for laptops due to the increase in rigid OLED demand. In the first half of the year, two 12K lines were put into OLED production for notebooks, and in the second half, it is planned to increase to three or four lines.

Apple’s iPad, which will be mass-produced by Samsung Display from the end of the year, will use LTPO TFT and hybrid OLED (rigid substrate + TFE).

Forecast of OLED Light Emitting Materials Market in 2021: $15.2 billion

/in /by

Citing the recently published ‘2021 OLED emitting material report’, UBI Research (www.ubiresearch.com), a company specializing in OLED market research, forecasted that the OLED emitting material market size in 2021 will be $1.52 billion, a 17% increase from $1.3 billion in 2020.

By country, Korean panel makers’ material purchase rate is expected to account for 74.3% of the total market, and China is expected to account for 25.7%. By company, Samsung Display is expected to take the 1st place with 45.9% of the total, LG Display to take second place with 28.5%, and BOE to take third place with 13.7%.

By evaporation method, it is expected that the emitting materials for RGB OLED used for small OLEDs account for 81.4% of the total market, and the emitting materials for WRGB OLED of LG Display account for 18.3%. Samsung Display’s QD-OLED emitting material, which will be released in the second half of this year, is expected to account for less than 1% of the total material market as shipments of QD-OLED panels are not expected to be large.

Meanwhile, the ‘2021 OLED Emitting Material Report’ published this time includes not only the OLED emitting material market forecast, but also the development trend of low-power driving technology, the development trend of blue phosphorescent materials, and the material supply chain of Chinese panel makers. It is expected to be helpful for the companies related to emitting materials understand related technologies and forecast future technology directions and markets.

Cover window market forecast for foldable phones

/in /by

The biggest difference between flexible OLED and foldable OLED will be the cover window material. In terms of price competitiveness, various Colorless Poly Imide (CPI) are superior to suppliers, but in the end, the cover window market is expected to depend on which material Samsung Electronics and Apple choose.

Samsung Display plans to supply only foldable OLEDs using UTG (Ultra Thin Glass) to Samsung Electronics and other China this year, and is expected to adopt UTG as the main cover window material in the future.

BOE and CSOT currently focus on transparent PI, but they are securing technology by continuously collaborating with UTG-related glass processing companies. For this reason, according to the UBI Research component and materials market track, UTG is expected to occupy 80% of the market for foldable cover windows in the future, and transparent PI is low in price and easy to apply to products larger than 10 inches As a result, it is expected to be applied to low-end models, tablets, and notebook models.

 

In 2020, small OLED shipments increased by 3.4%↑, sales decreased by 2.8%↓

/in , , /by

Corona 19 and Huawei’s US sanctions negatively affected the OLED market for smartphones, but it was a plus with Apple’s strong sales of iphone 12.

Samsung Display completed the Y-OCTA renovation of the Apple line in 2020, and the LTPO TFT secured a 30K scale. By the first half of 2021, the company plans to convert the LTPS line from Apple’s line to the LTPO TFT line.

The foldable phones released by Samsung Electronics in 2020 are the Galaxy Z Flip released in February and the Galaxy Z Fold 2 released in September, both in-folding and using UTG (ultra thin glass). Galaxy Z Fold 2 is a product to which LTPO TFT technology is applied.

BOE failed several times without exceeding the approval process in Apple’s iPhone12 quality test, but received final approval for panel supply at the end of December 2020. BOE’s new line, B12, is an Apple module line that starts bringing in equipment from December 2020, and is aiming for mass production in November 2021.

According to the annual small OLED display report published by UBI Research, small OLED shipments in 2020 increased by 3.4% compared to 2019, but sales decreased by 2.8%. The increase in shipments is due to the increase in OLED for watches, and the decrease in sales is due to the decrease in OLEDs for smartphones.

In 2020, the total sales of OLED for smartphones was 26.7 billion dollars, of which Samsung Display accounted for 78.8% with 21 billion dollars. LG Display has sales of $2.8 billion and a market share of 10.5%. Samsung Display accounted for 91.7% with 2.35 million dollars in 2019. Smartphone sales in 2020 decreased by 6.68 million units compared to 2019.

Middle and Large OLED sales growth of 40.2% in 2020

/in , , /by

Although Samsung Display’s rigid OLED line is expected to decrease due to a decrease in Huawei’s volume due to the US production, demand for rigid OLEDs is expected to increase as demand for laptops, monitors and tablet PCs is increasing. To respond to this, investment in rigid OLED lines in A4 is also being reviewed. This year’s notebook OLED panel is expected to come out with more than 10 different model product lines, and Apple’s OLED production for iPad is scheduled to start from 2022, so demand for middle and large-sized OLED panels is expected to increase.

In addition, LG Display, a leader in P-OLED supplying in the automotive field, is planning to supply plastic OLEDs for automobiles to German car makers by producing premium OLED panels, and Samsung Display is also supplying OLED panels for vehicles.

According to the 2021 middle and large OLED annual report published by UBI Research, the total sales of middle and large-sized OLEDs in 2020 was $3.882.7 million, and last year was $2.63 billion, an increase of 40.2% from the previous year. By application, the notebook and automobile markets have increased remarkably, and the notebook, monitor, and automotive product markets are expected to grow in 2021.

Samsung Display’s QD-OLED mass production is expected to be around December 2021, and 65-inch panels are highly likely to be used by Sony. Samsung Electronics is expected to receive only 32-inch QD-OLEDs for monitors, not purchasing 65 inches.

LG Display’s 2020 TV OLED panel shipments were counted to 4.4 million units, and if the Guangzhou plant operates at 90K from the third quarter, the production capacity will reach 8.5 million units in 2021.

 

Samsung Electronics’ foldable smartphone to be released in 2021, with touch pen and UTG thickness different?

/in , , /by

According to the ‘2020 OLED Components and Materials Report’ recently published by UBI Research, Samsung Electronics’ next-generation foldable smartphones to be released in 2021 are expected to be equipped with a pen function.

It is expected that the pen function will be added to Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Z Fold2, which was released in September, but the flexibility issue of the digitizer, which is an essential material to support the pen function, and ultra thin glass (UTG), the cover window material. The pen function was not added in the end due to its thin thickness.

In order to add a pen function, Samsung Display seems to be considering applying an active electrostatic solution (AES) method that does not require a digitizer and changing the thickness of UTG.

First, the’Galaxy Note’ series uses an electro-magnetic resonance (EMR) method with a digitizer at the bottom of the OLED panel. The EMR method has good touch sensitivity and does not require a battery to be embedded in the pen, but it is not applicable to foldable devices due to the flexibility issue of the metal digitizer.

Unless the companies developing the EMR method provide a special solution, the AES method is highly likely to be applied to the pen for the next ball double device. In this case, the sensor pitch of Y-OCTA is formed more densely or the Touch IC is more complex. Can be designed.

The AES method is also being developed by LG Display and BOE to apply to foldable devices.

In addition, the thickness of UTG is also expected to change. The 30 um thick UTG, which is currently commercially available, has good flexibility, but due to its film-like characteristics, when pressure is applied with a touch pen, traces remain and may affect touch sensitivity. To solve this problem, Samsung Display is developing UTG with a thickness of more than 60 um in cooperation with glass processing companies.

As the thickness of the UTG decreases as the thickness increases, it is expected that the UTG currently under development will be applied with a concept in which the folded part is processed thin and filled with a material having the same refractive index as glass. In addition, in the future, there is a possibility that an additional coating process will be added after the reinforcement process without a protective film such as PET on UTG.

In UBI Research’s ‘2020 OLED Parts and Materials Report’, Samsung Display’s expected change in foldable OLED was written as a roadmap and the trends of related materials were analyzed. According to the report, Samsung Electronics’ application of pens for foldable devices is expected in 2021, and UTG materials are expected to lead the market at 78% by 2025 in the future cover window market for foldable devices.

What is the difference between the touch types of each model of iPhone 12?

/in , /by

All of Apple’s iPhone 12 models, OLED panels will be used and consisted of four models. There are three sizes, 5.4 inches, 6.1 inches, and 6.7 inches, respectively, and 6.1 inches are divided into two models.

Samsung Display and LG Display have begun preparing to mass-produce, with recent orders from Apple. Samsung Display plans to supply OLED panels of all sizes, LG Display plans to supply 6.1-inch OLED panels, and there are differences in touch type by size.

First, on-cell touch which a touch electrode is formed on a thin film encapsulation (TFE) is applied to 5.4 inch and 6.7 inch models. Each panel maker is called Y-OCTA (YOUM on-cell touch AMOLED), ToE (touch on encapsulation), FMLOC (flexible multi-layer on-cell touch), and unlike add-on touch, a touch electrode is formed directly on the upper layer without base films. Due to this, the on-cell touch has a higher process difficulty than the add-on touch, but it is advantageous to fabricate a thin OLED panel thickness, and the process cost is also reduced.

Add-on method is applied to 6.1 inches. A touch electrode is formed on the base film, and is attached on the TFE by adhesive. It has the advantage that the process is simpler than on-cell touch.

<Flexible OLED touch type, Source: AMOLED Manufacturing Process Report>

Recently, rumors that BOE is supplying 5.4 inch and 6.1 inch OLED panels to Apple have turned around, but 5.4 inch is on-cell touch type and it is still difficult to supply for iPhone 12 due to technical difficulty. BOE is developing a 6.1-inch OLED panel and has not received calls yet.

<iPhone 12’s touch types and panel suppliers>