According to the DRAMeXchange research division of TrendForce, demand-side inventory in 2H19 has returned to relatively healthy levels. Furthermore, some vendors pulled their quarterly product shipment forward in an effort to avoid potential negative impacts from Trump’s impending tariffs; this shift skyrocketed DRAM suppliers’ sales bits in 3Q19, driving total DRAM revenue up by 4% and ending the QoQ decline which lasted over three consecutive quarters. Despite an already strong-performing base period in 3Q19, the three major DRAM manufacturers are projected to increase their shipments even further in 4Q19, propelled by demands from the server and smartphone markets.
According to the latest analysis from the DRAMeXchange research division of TrendForce, Q4 DRAM ASP is as of yet undergoing a slight QoQ decline, but this decline has shrunk down to 5%. In contrast, the total trading volume in October has seen considerable QoQ growth, which demonstrates an increased willingness to pay on the purchasers’ part. Once suppliers’ inventory levels have sufficiently lowered, they will no longer need to cut prices to encourage further sales. These factors have the potential to help DRAM prices stabilize and recover in 2020.
The gradual technical maturation of narrow bezels means a higher screen-to-body ratio and wider, thinner laptops. With this change in the physical appearance of laptops, manufacturers are once again looking to incorporate panels with a 16:10 aspect ratio. Despite Apple's longstanding adoption of 16:10 and the aspect ratio's once-popularity in Windows laptops, global market intelligence provider TrendForce projects a <2% share of 16:10 screens in the non-Apple laptop market due to adoption rate, impact to consumers, and a need for panel makers to optimize cuts made to the mother glass.
According to the latest analysis from the WitsView research division of TrendForce, reduced panel shipment is causing the demand for flat-panel display driver IC to undergo a corresponding decline. The 2019 YoY growth for total adoption is projected to be -3.2%, which marks the first instance of negative growth in recent years. The space for shipment growth in 2020 is likely also limited.
According to the latest analysis from the WitsView research division of TrendForce, the share of devices featuring AMOLED panels is expected to grow from 32.8% in 2019 to 38.0% in 2020 in the global smartphone marketplace, in response to an ever-increasing production capacity and smartphone makers’ willingness to adopt the technology. In contrast, the market share of LTPS-equipped devices is expected to drop from 41.3% down to 38.6%. The market shares for AMOLED- and LTPS-equipped devices are roughly even, with the former possibly taking the lead in the future.
