WitsView, a division of TrendForce, has published its latest report on the global production capacity of large-size LCD panels. According to the report, large-size LCD panels by supply area for the first quarter of this year fell by 1.3% compared with the previous quarter. This is a 3.5% difference from the earlier projected quarterly increase of 2.2%. Samsung Display (SDC) was responsible for 2.1% of the 3.5% downward correction because the panel maker has issues with 0.4mm glass production, and in turn caused delays to the certification of new panel products.
The latest large-size panel shipment report by WitsView, a division of TrendForce, says TV panel shipments for this February totaled 17.88 million units, representing a monthly decline of 8.7% and a year-on-year decline of 8.3%. In addition to seasonal influence, the Chinese New Year holidays and the earthquake that struck Taiwan on February 6 all contributed to the shipment slump.
Brand companies in the global smartphone market have stepped up their search for novel designs and higher hardware specs to better compete in the slow-growth environment. One of the high-end components that have attracted brand companies’ attention is AMOLED panel for smartphone displays.
Prices of panels for smartphone displays were in an uptrend from the start of the fourth quarter of 2015 to just before the Chinese New Year holidays this year. Sales of smartphone panels during the period benefitted from strong export demand for Chinese panel products and clients stocking up for Chinese New Year sales events.
WitsView, a division of TrendForce, reports that large-size LCD panel shipments for this January totaled 57.47 million units, down 16.8% from a month ago. Most panel makers posted declining results, but Panasonic LCD and Sharp were able to grow their shipments against market headwinds because they had shorter base periods.