According to the latest panel prices released by TrendForce in late January, panel manufacturers continue to implement large-scale production cuts and maintenance plans. Additionally, the shortage of upstream materials for polarizers is affecting the panel prices. 32-inch TV panel prices have seen an increase. Meanwhile, the prices of mainstream sizes for monitor panels are expected to stabilize. Here are the details:

TV

Despite being a slow season for demand in January, panel manufacturers are actively trying to reverse the trend of TV panel price declines through extensive production cuts and maintenance plans.

Recent observations indicate that some Chinese brand customers are increasing their stockpile demand for the North American tax refund season in March-April.

On the other hand, the disruption in the supply of upstream polarizer materials due to the earthquake in Japan at the beginning of the month is also contributing to a stabilization in panel prices. Therefore, the price trend for TV panels in January is expected to see a rise in 32-inch panels, while 43-inch to 75-inch panels are expected to stabilize.

Monitor

Entering January, despite the onset of a slow season for demand, panel manufacturers are encouraging customers to stock up early due to the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year in February.

Observations indicate that there is limited room for additional orders in the latter part of January. The shortage of upstream polarizer materials is also expected to impact some VA panels. Therefore, in terms of monitor panel prices for January, mainstream sizes such as 21.5 inches, 23.8 inches, and 27 inches are expected to stabilize, while Open Cell panels are expected to have a downward space of USD 0.1 to 0.2.

NB

After entering the first quarter of 2024, laptop panel demand has significantly weakened, as some customers increased their stockpiles at the end of the previous year. Brand customers are requesting panel manufacturers to lower prices, and panel manufacturers are adopting a relatively soft stance, resulting in downward pressure on panel prices.

Observations of laptop panel price trends in January show that 16:10 models, due to their higher unit prices, still have room for continued convergence with 16:9 models. Therefore, it is expected that the prices of 14-inch 16:10 models will decrease by USD 0.2, and 16-inch 16:10 models will decrease by USD 0.3, with a larger decline. Mainstream 16:9 IPS models are expected to decrease by USD 0.1, while 16:9 TN models are expected to remain stable.

Samsung Display has unveiled the RGB version of Micro OLED (OLEDoS) for the first time at CES 2024, presenting the industry’s reportedly highest-resolution RGB OLEDoS display screen.

As per Samsung Display’s news release, Samsung Display has indicated that Micro OLED achieves high-definition displays with small pixel sizes, achieved by applying organic materials to silicon wafers, playing a crucial role in the increasingly popular XR headsets.

Although the Micro OLED is only 1.03 inches, it has a pixel density of 3,500 PPI, making it the industry’s highest resolution RGB OLEDoS display, which utilizes red, green and blue OLEDs on silicon wafers to generate color without the need for a separate light source.

Samsung has previously acquired Micro LED developer eMagin last year. In addition, there are reports indicating that Apple is developing the second generation of Vision Pro, expected to be unveiled in 2027. It is rumored to adopt advanced RGB OLEDoS technology, and the acquisition of eMagin by Samsung also positions them to provide the necessary technology for Apple.

If Apple is interested in upgrading its Vision Pro 2 display tech, Samsung’s exhibit at CES 2024 could be considered a showcase, proving that its Micro OLED technology is gradually gaining ground, and that it has a potential chance of replacing Sony as a Vision Pro 2 display supplier.

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(Photo credit: Samsung)

TrendForce discloses the latest panel prices for early January, with details as follows.

• TV

Entering the first quarter of 2024, despite the onset of a demand downturn, panel manufacturers are persistently implementing large-scale production cuts and maintenance plans, aiming to create opportunities for a reversal in supply and demand for TV panels.

Currently, observations since December indicate that ter 2 brands have begun increasing inventory for 32″ and 43″ panels, with signs of price increases emerging.

Therefore, the anticipated trend for TV panel prices in January suggests that 32″ and 43″ panels may be the first to stabilize, while the price decline for larger-sized panels is expected to moderate. A projected decrease of $1 for 50″ and 55″, and a decrease of $2 for 65″ and 75″.

• MNT

Entering 2024, despite current weak demand, panel manufacturers are encouraging early stocking through production cuts and scheduled maintenance plans to seek opportunities for stabilizing monitor panel prices.

Additionally, with potential risks in shipping routes in the current challenging environment, some customers, particularly those focused on the European and American markets, are intensifying their inventory plans.

Therefore, in the price trend for monitor panels in January, mainstream sizes such as 23.8″ and 27″ are expected to decrease by $0.1 and $0.2 for Open-Cell panels. There is also the possibility of further contraction of the decline.

• NB

After entering the first quarter of 2024, there is a noticeable decline in demand for NB panels. Brands urgently request panel manufacturers to lower panel prices. Additionally, the lower prices from Tier 2 panel manufacturers contribute to the ongoing downward pressure on panel prices.

Observing the price trend for NB panels in January, for 16:10 models, brands are aiming to narrow the price gap with 16:9 models due to the higher unit price. As a result, the 14″ 16:10 model is expected to decrease by $0.2, and the 16″16:10 model is anticipated to experience a larger decline of $0.3.

The mainstream 16:9 IPS models are expected to decrease by $0.1, while 16:9 TN models are expected to remain relatively stable.

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• [Insights] The Panel Prices in Late December: Declines in TV, Monitor, and NB Applications

According to the latest panel price data released by TrendForce in late December, due to subdued demand at the year-end, prices for panels in the TV, monitor, and notebook (NB) segments have all experienced declines. Details are as follows:

TV Panel:

As we approach the year-end, with less-than-ideal results from the Black Friday promotions, there’s only a modest demand rebound observed for channel-owned brands with better sales performance. Major first-tier brands continue to adjust their panel order demands.

However, panel manufacturers are actively controlling output and inventory levels through production cuts. They even announced a nearly two-week annual preventive maintenance during the Lunar New Year in the first quarter of the coming year to ease the pressure of falling prices, while creating an atmosphere conducive to a potential reversal in panel prices.

Due to the signs of an expanding production cut, the current observed decline in TV panel prices in December is comparable to November, with a $2 decline for 32″ and 43″, a $3 decline for 50″, a $2 decline for 55″, and a $3 decline for 65″ and 75″.

Monitor Panel:

For monitor panels, demand has remained weak throughout the fourth quarter. Panel manufacturers had only made slight concessions in prices for high-end models in the past few months. However, entering December, the pressure of price declines has extended to mainstream panel specifications. To maintain shipping momentum, some panel manufacturers have noticeably softened their pricing stance. The observed decline in December is expected to be $0.2 for 23.8″ Open Cell panels and $0.1 for 21.5″, 23.8″, and 27″ panels.

NB Panel:

In terms of notebook panels, demand has significantly weakened in the fourth quarter. Faced with the pressure to maintain shipping momentum, panel manufacturers are experiencing changes in the previously stable panel prices over the past few months. As a result, buyers are beginning to have more negotiating power.

Observing panel prices in December, apart from 11.6″ and 14″/15.6″ TN models maintaining stability due to lower prices and limited supply, prices for 14″/15.6″ IPS models are expected to see a slight decline of $0.1.

The latest panel price update from TrendForce in early December indicates that prices for TV, notebook, and monitor panels will all decline this month due to the continued weakening of end-user demand. Detailed analysis is as follows:

• TV Panel

Entering the fourth quarter, including promotions on Double Eleven and Black Friday, the results have been less than satisfactory. As a result, brands continue to revise down their demand for TV panels.

Panel manufacturers are responding to the declining demand by consistently reducing production, and the extent of production cuts continues to expand. This strategy aims to slow down the pace of price decline.

It is currently anticipated that the price decline for TV panels in December will slightly widen. Prices are expected to drop by USD 2 dollars for 32″ and 43″, USD 3 dollars for 50″ and 55″, and USD 4 dollars for 65″ and 75″.

• MNT Panel

As for monitor panels, demand has noticeably weakened since the fourth quarter. However, in the past few months, price declines have been observed only in high-end models.

Nevertheless, with some panel manufacturers leading the way by adopting a softer stance on mainstream panel prices, a downward trend in mainstream panel prices has emerged in December.

Currently, the expected decline for December is as follows: a decrease of USD 0.2 dollars for 23.8″ Open Cell panels, and a decrease of USD 0.1 dollars for 21.5″, 23.8″, and 27″.

• NB Panel

As for notebook panels, demand has similarly experienced a noticeable decline starting from the fourth quarter, with a trend of continuous downward revisions month by month.

Under the pressure of a sudden drop in demand, there is a growing noise demanding a decline in panel prices. In the past one or two months, panel manufacturers have mostly made concessions in higher-end specifications and 16:10 models to maintain the stability of mainstream 16:9 model prices.

However, it is expected that panel manufacturers may find it challenging to resist brand pressure this month, and the panel prices for mainstream FHD IPS models are anticipated to see a slight decrease of USD 0.1 dollar.

Read more

• [Insights] Late-November Price Update: Tug of War in Prices! Drop Anticipated in Large-sized High-end Monitor Panel