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)

Yesterday, TrendForce released panel prices for early September.

• TV

According to Boyce Fan, Research Vice President of TrendForce, entering September, the demand for TV panels remains relatively weak, and with no significant increase in brand-side purchasing momentum, panel prices continue to face downward pressure.

However, major panel manufacturers have announced a two-week shutdown starting in early October, hoping to bring supply and demand back into balance through active production adjustments, thus alleviating the pressure on panel price declines.

Currently, some customers could pull in demand in advance in response to the production cuts, which may help slow down the price decline for certain panel sizes in September.

Recent observations indicate that prices for 32-inch and 43-inch panels are expected to stop falling first in September, due to reduced supply and stable demand in emerging overseas markets.

For medium to large sizes, 50-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch panels are expected to drop by USD 3, USD 2, USD 2 and USD 3, respectively.

• MNT

In the third quarter, MNT panel shipments will be slightly lower than in the second quarter, indicating that the stockpiling peak for brand clients has passed, and with TV panels continuing to face price declines, downward pressure on MNT panel prices is gradually emerging.

However, some panel manufacturers are still striving to maintain panel prices, making only slight price adjustments for some high-end or premium models.

On the other hand, brand clients have high expectations for price reductions, and it is expected that both sides will continue to battle over pricing.

For now, MNT panel prices in September are expected to remain stable, with the actual trend depending on the ongoing negotiations between the two sides.

• NB

In the third quarter, compared to the second quarter, the procurement of NB panels by major brand clients is expected to increase slightly by 1%, indicating that brand clients are maintaining a steady purchasing pace.

However, as the year progresses, it is unlikely to see significant demand growth in NB panels.

As a result, panel manufacturers have become more conservative in pricing strategies and in offering incentives to secure orders compared to the second quarter.

With both buyers and sellers adopting a more stable attitude toward price and quantity, NB panel prices are expected to remain stable in September.

After announcing the end of eight consecutive quarters of losses on July 30, according to a report from Economic Daily News, Innolux’s board of directors decided to authorize Chairman Jim Hung to handle real estate matters, confirming the rumors that the buildings at its 4th Plant in Tainan (5.5-generation LCD panel plant), which was closed last year, will be sold.

It is reported that two buyers, Micron and TSMC, are still in the bidding stage. Regardless of who wins the bid, Innolux will gain significant non-operating income.

According to Innolux’s announcement, to boost company operations and future development momentum, as well as to enhance operating funds, they plan to dispose of the TAC plant-related real estate at the Southern Taiwan Science Park (STSP) D section. Per a report from anue, the STSP D section refers to the 5.5-generation LCD panel plant that was closed last year.

Innolux has been promoting the transformation of its fully depreciated old plants. The 3.5-generation line at the Tainan facility has been repurposed for advanced packaging with Fan-Out Panel Level Packaging (FOPLP), and the 4-generation line has been converted to produce X-ray sensors (through Raystar Optronics), both of which are related to semiconductor products.

Regarding the 4th Plant developments at Tainan, as per a previous report from the Economic Daily News, Innolux stated on June 16 that, based on flexible strategic planning principles, the company continues to optimize production configurations and enhance overall operational efficiency. Some production lines and products are being adjusted to streamline and strengthen the group’s layout and development.

Read more

• [News] Venturing into AI, Innolux Reportedly Partners with Memory Giants, While Its 4th Plant in Tainan to Focus on Packaging Applications
• [News] TSMC Pushes for FOPLP Mass Production by 2027, Reportedly Eyeing on Innolux’s Plant

(Photo credit: Innolux)

The iPhone SE series is Apple’s budget-friendly option, traditionally sourcing screens exclusively from the Chinese manufacturer BOE. However, a report from Korean media outlet The Elec indicated that Apple is expected to use LG Display (LGD) as the second supplier for the OLED screens of next year’s iPhone SE 4, while BOE remains the primary supplier for the iPhone SE 4 screens.

The iPhone SE series typically uses parts from older models but is unique in pairing them with the latest processors, ensuring superior performance compared to competitors in the same price range. Notably, Apple releases the iPhone SE series in emerging markets like India.

Per the same report from The Elec, the iPhone SE 4 is expected to use the OLED display from the iPhone 13, making it easier for display manufacturers to produce.

Apple has historically supported BOE as an iPhone OLED screen supplier to reduce the influence of South Korean companies like Samsung Display and LGD. However, BOE is said to have faced difficulties in securing large iPhone orders due to challenges in meeting Apple’s perforated screen technology requirements, as seen with the iPhone 15.

Moreover, BOE is reportedly encountering challenges in producing OLED screens for the iPhone 16 as well, resulting in lower output compared to its Korean competitors.

Earlier in May this year, both LG Display and Samsung Display secured orders for OLED panels for Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro, according to a previous report from “The Elec.” Subsequently, LG Display also has acquired orders for iPhone 16 Pro Max panels, which could be the first time ever for LG Display to be ahead of Samsung display.

Read more

• [News] Novatek’s Supply Advantage Fades, as Korean Competitor Reportedly Secures iPhone 16 Order
• [News] Taiwanese IC Design Company Novatek Reportedly Secured a Spot in iPhone 16 via Collaboration with LGD

(Photo credit: Apple)

Masahiro Okitsu, President of Sharp, a subsidiary of Foxconn, announced in a joint interview with Japanese media that the Sakai Display Product (SDP) plant, which produces large-size LCD panels for TVs, will cease production earlier than planned. Initially scheduled for the end of September, the shutdown is now expected to occur in late August.

According to a report by Asahi Shimbun on July 16, Sharp President Masahiro Okitsu announced in a joint media interview that the SDP, which produces LCD panels for TVs, is expected to completely cease production after the Obon festival (late August). This interview marks Okitsu’s first media appearance since taking office as Sharp’s president on June 27.

Okitsu mentioned that around July 20, SDP will start put glass substrates into production, with the final batch of LCD panels produced a month later.

Sharp’s SDP land and plant will be transformed into an AI data center, and a collaboration with Softbank and KDDI has been announced. However, Masahiro Okitsu did not elaborate on this cooperation framework during the media interview on July 16th.

Regarding Foxconn Chairman Young Liu’s appointment as Chairman of Sharp, Okitsu stated that this makes the division of duties clearer. Foxconn will oversee and support Sharp, while the existing brand business operations will be managed by Sharp.

Okitsu also pointed out the goal of increasing the operating profit margin of the “brand business,” which includes products like white goods, to 7% by the 2027 fiscal year (compared to less than 5% in the 2023 fiscal year). He emphasized that achieving a return to profitability in the 2024 fiscal year is imperative.

Reportedly, with Foxconn’s technical assistance, Sharp also plans to enter the AI and electric vehicle (EV) businesses, with plans to launch in the 2026-2027 fiscal years.

On May 14, Sharp announced its financial report, indicating that due to impairment losses in its panel business, the net loss for the 2023 fiscal year (April 2023 – March 2024) reached JPY 149.9 billion, marking the second consecutive year with a net loss exceeding 100 billion yen. However, Sharp forecasts that for the 2024 fiscal year (April 2024 – March 2025), its consolidated operating profit will be JPY 10 billion, with a consolidated net profit estimated at JPY 5 billion.

Read more

• [News] Foxconn Ventures into Advanced Packaging, Sharp to Follow with Production Capacity in 2026
• Sharp Announces Closure of Sakai Gen 10 Line, Supply Cut of 5 Million TV Panels Expected in 2025, Says TrendForce

(Photo credit: Sharp)