In 2016, UV LED technology has been rapidly expanding into various application markets including curing, sterilization and purification equipment. The total value of the UV LED market worldwide is estimated to grow from US$166 million in 2016 to US$555 million in 2021 at compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27%, according to the 2016~2021 Global LED Industry Demand and Supply Database Report by LEDinside, a division of TrendForce.
WitsView, a division of TrendForce, reports that strong demand is pushing up prices of LCD panels for smartphone displays of the lower resolution specs. With demand for high-end device models falling short of expectations, smartphone brands are now relying on low-end devices with bargain-priced panels to boost their product shipments. However, limited supply and increasing demand have caused prices of 4-inch WVGA and 4.5-inch FWVGA panels to reach new highs in September, with monthly increases at over 50%, respectively. Looking ahead, prices of lower-end smartphone panels are expected to keep rising in the fourth quarter.
Micro-LED is regarded as a promising next-generation display technology that is being quietly developed by major brand companies in various industries. According to LEDinside, a division of TrendForce, displays for wearable devices and large indoor public displays are two applications that offer micro-LED the quickest paths to commercialization.
In the second quarter of 2016, demand for high-capacity eMMC/eMCP from Chinese smartphone brands and the stock-up activities ahead of the iPhone 7 release caused a gradual tightening of NAND Flash supply. The decline in contract prices for eMMC and SSDs of both client and enterprise grade also started to ease during the same period, according to the latest report from DRAMeXchange, a division of TrendForce. Channel prices of NAND Flash wafers have even begun to rise on a monthly basis since April. Consequently, the combined global revenue of branded NAND Flash suppliers increased 3.4% sequentially in the second quarter. This result signaled the end of revenue decline that persisted in the past two consecutive quarters.
The latest report from LEDinside, a division of TrendForce, finds that LED chip suppliers raised their prices in August, slowing down the price decline for end products. Thus, prices of LED light bulbs will be on a stable trend in the short term.
