According to a report from TechNews, citing Korean media outlet The Elec, Apple was exploring two options for applying the color filter to the OLED panel intended for the more affordable Vision Pro device.

The report from The Elec indicates that this yet-to-be-named MR device from Apple will use a panel that is based on a glass board with white OLED deposited on it, topped by an RGB color filter to create various colors—a method known as W-OLED+CF. For resolution, Apple is thinking about 1,500ppi.

The report points out that since this device will use a glass board, it is not OLEDoS (OLED on silicon), different from the current Vision Pro that uses Sony’s OLEDoS technology with a resolution of 3,400ppi.

The report mentions that Apple is considering two approaches to apply the color filter
for this new device. The first approach is to directly form the color filter on the thin-film encapsulation (TFE) that covers the panel. The second, more standard approach, involves forming the color filter on a glass board and then combining it with another glass board with W-OLED deposited on it, making the W-OLED glass board the base and the color filter board the top.

Apple is leaning towards the first approach—forming the filter directly on TFE—as it would require only one glass board, making the MR device thinner, according to the report from The Elec.

However, the color filter formation of TFE demands a low-temperature process to avoid damaging the OLED, which makes it more challenging, as the report from The Elec mentions. Samsung currently uses this technique of directly forming the color filter on its foldable phones, which is known as color filter on encapsulation (CoE).

However, according to the report, Apple aims for a resolution of 1,500ppi, but the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 inner panel has a resolution of just 374ppi. To achieve such high resolution, additional technological costs will be involved.

The report indicates that Samsung remains the most likely supplier of W-OLED+CF panels for Apple’s new MR product.

Read more

• [News] Foxconn Likely Wins Order for Apple’s Rumored Cheaper Vision Pro
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(Photo credit: Apple)

In recent years, the LED display market has seen shifting trends and demand, creating both opportunities and challenges. How should LED companies respond to these changes? At the 2024 TrendForce Self-Luminous Display Industry Seminar, TrendForce analysts discussed the future growth drivers for the LED display market, analyzing the outlook for emerging applications and the competitive landscape in the industry.

Due to factors such as government budgets, price competition, and technological rivalry, demand for LED displays in China in 2024 is expected to be moderate.

However, international markets continue to grow, with stable progress in Europe and North America, and strong performance in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. In the long term, the LED display market is expected to maintain growth, driven by three main factors:

1. Expansion from Developed to Developing Economies
   China is the global manufacturing base and origin of LED displays. In the first phase, the Chinese market expanded into developed economies overseas. With continuing reductions in LED display costs, the market is entering a second phase, extending into developing economies.
2. Expansion from Government and Large Corporate Clients to Small and Medium Enterprises
   Over more than 20 years, LED display prices have steadily declined, and the client base has expanded from government (B2G) to business (B2B) sectors, with potential for future expansion to consumers (B2C).

For manufacturers, the distribution model has grown in importance, and demand for channel-driven LED displays is rising. Companies are actively adjusting their strategies, establishing distribution networks in China and globally to reach a wider customer base.

3. Expansion from Traditional to Emerging Applications
   Traditional applications for LED displays include corporate meetings, security monitoring, retail exhibitions, public areas, transportation, and outdoor advertising. With advancements in Micro/Mini LED technology, LED displays are increasingly used in emerging applications like LED integrated displays, virtual production, and cinema/home theaters, indicating strong growth potential.

Overall, TrendForce projects that the global LED display market size will reach $7.516 billion in 2024 (up 2.8% YoY) and could grow to $10.2 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7% from 2023 to 2028.

According to a report from MoneyDJ, citing the Reuters, as Chinese display manufacturers have been actively expanding their production capacity and aggressively capturing market share in recent years, it has raised concerns in the U.S. about potential dependence on China for a critical component in military technologies, posing significant security risks.

The Reuters referenced an upcoming report titled “Displays are the New Batteries,” by author Joe McReynolds, who emphasizes that displays are becoming increasingly crucial in computerized military equipment, including fighter jets and augmented reality systems that enable troops to overlay digital information on their battlefield view.

The Reuters pointed out that China’s subsidies for display manufacturers could drive competitors out of the market, potentially leaving the U.S. reliant on China. As a consequence, the market suggests that China’s display industry will be the next target of U.S. sanctions, as the report from MoneyDJ mentiond.

The rapid growth of China’s display industry is largely driven by significant subsidies from the Chinese government, which include low-interest loans, favorable tax rates, and discounted land purchases. It is estimated that these subsidies cover 50% to 70% of the costs associated with display factories, as the report from the Reuters pointed out.

According to the report from MoneyDJ, China has made significant national efforts to support its display industry, gradually surpassing South Korea, which has long dominated the industry.

Due to intense price competition from China, Samsung Display completely exited the LCD industry in June 2022, while LG Display shut down its South Korean LCD TV production line at the end of 2022, as indicated by the report in MoneyDJ.

Read more

• [News] BOE Looking to Become OLED Panel Leader, Rumored to Have a 50% Capacity Expansion
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(Photo credit: BOE)

In recent years, both Micro OLED and Micro LED microdisplay technologies have continued to make new performance breakthroughs. Entering 2024, Micro OLED and Micro LED microdisplay technologies are still on the path of development, with new applications for AR glasses increasing. The display industry is also allocating more resources towards Micro OLED and Micro LED technologies. In the future, Micro OLED and Micro LED could spark a new wave of competition in near-eye display technology.

Rising Share of Micro LED and Micro OLED in Near-Eye Display Applications

According to TrendForce, in the AR glasses sector, Micro OLED technology is expected to account for 54% of the market share in 2024, while Micro LED will be at 18%. By 2030, this situation will reverse, with Micro LED technology expected to reach 44% market share and Micro OLED dropping to 25%.

In the VR/MR field, LCD is the dominant display technology in 2024, holding a 79% share, while Micro OLED technology is only at 7%. However, Micro OLED technology is anticipated to dominate the high-end VR/MR market, with its market share projected to increase to 23% by 2030.

Judging from the new products released this year, as expected, AR glasses will have more applications of Micro OLED and Micro LED, with 8 new products using Micro OLED technology and 3 new products using Micro LED technology.

Accelerating Development of Micro LED/OLED Microdisplay Industry

Companies such as JBD, HS-MicroLED, Raontech, Raysolve, Vuzix, VueReal, Saphlux, Aledia, Q-Pixel, Mojo Visionand Stan technology have continued to enhance Micro LED microdisplay technology this year. They are addressing issues like full-color displays and power consumption, bringing new hope for the commercialization of Micro LED microdisplay technology.

On the other hand, companies are still seeking ways to improve development efficiency, with collaboration between upstream and downstream enterprises becoming a primary approach.

For instance, Micro LED technology vendor Porotech has partnered with U.S. single-wafer equipment supplier ClassOne, touch integration company Yicheng Group, and semiconductor front-end wafer foundry Lattice Semiconductor in 2024. They aim to develop and manufacture GaN products using silicon wafer to accelerate the production of high-brightness, high-pixel-density, small-sized, and cost-effective Micro LEDs, thus speeding up the commercialization process of Micro LED microdisplays.

Canadian Micro LED technology developer VueReal has also formed partnerships this year with prominent display companies like Raybaw Technology and semiconductor equipment manufacturer Toray Engineering of Japan, to enhance production and testing efficiency for Micro LED microdisplay technology.

Microdisplay Manufacturers Receive Near-Eye Display Orders

As Micro LED/OLED microdisplay technology matures, microdisplay manufacturers are beginning to receive more demand orders.

In the realm of Micro OLED technology, South Korean media reported in August that Samsung Display and Microsoft have signed a new cooperation agreement. Samsung will develop and supply Micro OLED panels for Microsoft’s mixed reality (MR) headsets, with a scale of around several hundred thousand units, although the specific amount has not been disclosed.

In the Micro LED technology sector, South Korean Micro LED driver chip manufacturer Sapien Semiconductor has signed contracts with U.S. Big Tech companies this year to develop Micro LED display driver chips for AR glasses. They have also signed CMOS backplane development contracts with Asian Micro LED display manufacturers and European microdisplay module suppliers, with contract amounts of 4.8 billion KRW, 4.395 billion KRW, and 3.939 billion KRW.

8 Major Micro LED/OLED Microdisplay Projects Enter New Stages

To meet future market demands and potential large clients, microdisplay companies have begun accelerating new technology production capacity this year. In 2024, Micro LED/OLED microdisplay projects from companies such as Stan Technology, BOE HC, HS-MicroLED, Metaways, Lakeside Optoelectronics, SIDTEK, and SEEYA Technology have entered various stages such as signing contracts, starting construction, equipment installation, and mass production.

7 Microdisplay Companies Complete Latest Financing, With the Highest Investment of 1 Billion RMB

In 2024, seven microdisplay-related companies have completed their latest round of financing, with several companies securing over 100 million RMB. This new funding adds momentum for research and development, mass production, talent acquisition, and market expansion in the microdisplay business.

(Photo credit: OPPO)

Novatek, a major driver IC manufacturer in Taiwan, entered the iPhone 16 supply chain early this year and secured certification ahead of its competitor LX Semi. However, according to a report from Commercial Times citing sources, its Korean competitor, LX Semi, recently also obtained certification and, with strong support from foundries, is challenging Novatek’s exclusive supply position.

The same report continues to cite sources indicating that LX Semi remains the exclusive supplier for iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max’s LG Display (LGD) OLED screens in the second half of the year, with significant acceleration in chip production starting in September. It is estimated that the order allocation between Novatek and LX Semi will be 55:45.

Industry sources cited by Commercial Times reveal that LX Semi has a closer partnership with leading foundries, compared to Novatek’s previous strategy of relying on established foundries. Reportedly, another sources confirms as well that LX Semi has recently been certified and, with support from foundries, will begin significant wafer production by the end of the third quarter.

Other industry sources cited by the report further pointed out that Apple’s OLED panels are supplied by Korean manufacturer LGD, while LX Semi was originally LG Group’s subsidiary. Therefore, after LX Semi obtained certification, they increased orders from LGD, thereby reducing the originally planned procurement of OLED driver ICs from Novatek. However, for Novatek, they still heavily rely on Apple orders. If shipments go smoothly, they are expected to further secure opportunities in other product lines, such as iPad OLED DDIs and Apple Watch.

Yet, concerns are also noted, as the report brought up that the momentum in TV applications accompanying sports events is expected to slow down. Additionally, subdued sales during China’s 618 shopping festival and a conservative attitude among brand manufacturers in the second half of the year may affect demand for components like DDICs.

Therefore, Novatek keeps investing in establishing OLED production lines in order to seek new breakthroughs, such as IT TCON (timing controller) products. These products are manufactured using a 12-nanometer advanced process to create efficient computing units, integrating UHD 240Hz LCD and OLED panel display compensation functions, targeting high-end laptops.

Read more

• [News] Taiwanese IC Design Company Novatek Reportedly Secured a Spot in iPhone 16 via Collaboration with LGD
• [News] Four Semiconductor Applicants for Taiwan’s Chip Act Tax Incentives – TSMC and MediaTek Expected to Benefit

(Photo credit: Novatek)