Display makers boost R&D, production capability for AMOLED category

Investments in next-generation AMOLED display fabs include sustained initiatives to develop and turn out more flexible types.

AMOLED technology's advantages over its LCD counterpart continue to fuel broadening adoption in mobile electronics, in particular, high-end smartphones and wearable devices. This is why mainland China's tier-one panel companies keep up line expansion, which will come to fruition in coming months and through 2020 as new 6G fabs start mass manufacture. These facilities include production lines for flexible kinds.

Visionox made a total investment of $4.6 billion and installed one in May 2018, which can make curved, foldable and fully flexible screens. Everdisplay has just completed its 6G AMOLED project in Shanghai and will be ready to go on full-scale oepration within 2019.

BOE, the first to realize this milestone in the mainland in late 2017 and the second in the world, has already released many flexible displays such as 5.5in WQHD OLED, 7.56in QHD flexible AMOLED, 5.5in FHD full-screen AMOLED and 4.35in flexible AMOLED models. It is China's largest manufacturer in the AMOLED segment.

The venture to flexible variants, however, will remain restricted to a few large local companies in the next one or two years due to the steep technology threshold.

Globally, the subcategory will continue to attract a lot interest. Production capacity for flexible AMOLED panels will surge to 20.1 million square meters in 2020 from 1.5 million in 2016, according to IHS Markit.

Industry analysts predict AMOLED displays will replace TFT LCDs in midrange and upscale smartphones in the next several years. After Apple, Samsung, Huawei, Oppo and Vivo introduced models based on the advanced screen technology, they expect more device makers will follow suit. Shipment shares of LCDs and OLEDs will change from 67 and 33 percent in 2018 to 38 and 62 percent in 2021, said IHS Markit.

Demand for AMOLED screens have been on the rise in the past two years. The technology's global market scale is estimated at $38.5 billion in end-2018, jumping by 67 percent from 2017, and is projected to hit $67 billion in 2020. Shipments for smartphones will have a CAGR as high as 41 percent from 2016 to 2020.

In the mainland, production capacity for small and midsize displays will increase significantly, said Digitimes Research, and will post 76 percent CAGR from 2017 to 2022.

Mainland China ascending

At present, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan dominate the AMOLED category. The major players include Samsung, LG, JDI and AU Optronics.

This may change in the years ahead, especially in small and midsized displays. The mainland's production for such AMOLED units will reach 11.3 million square meters, according to Digitimes Research. Based on this, the mainland will represent 33.4 percent of the global total, ranking second to South Korea by 2022.

BOE is forecast to eclipse LG Display and become the world's second-largest manufacturer of small and midsize AMOLED displays in 2021. By 2022, the maker will account for 20 percent of aggregate global capacity.

AMOLED display sizes

The mainstream supply of AMOLED displays in the mainland consists of 1 to 7.56in units in 272x340, 320x320, 390x390, 600x800, 720x1080 and 1080x1920dpi. The key target applications include wearable, mobile and automotive electronics.

Smaller types are also available. Yunnan OLightek Opto-Electronic Technology Co. Ltd has a 0.5in model with 800x600-pixel resolution and more than 1,000:1 contrast ratio. The unit is mainly for wearable devices.

In general, customization is widely accepted. Along with the objective to achieve higher resolution and contrast, it will remain a major R&D driver in coming years.

Mainland AMOLED display manufacturers obtain chips mostly from foreign providers such as Samsung, Magnachip and Raydium. The first is the largest supplier, responsible for 75 percent of total IC shipments worldwide. Major homegrown IC companies, which include Sinowealth and GigaDisplay, are also sources.

The cost of materials and components went down slightly in the past months. This and the localization of AMOLED panels have resulted in display price reduction of 5 to 10 percent. The majority of mainland display makers predict input expenditure and product quotes will follow the same trend in 2019.

The products in this gallery have been handpicked by our China-based market analyst for representing current trends in AMOLED displays from China makers.

1.39in AMOLED display has 6H surface hardness

Model AT1392AM1BCP 1.39in AMOLED display from A-Tops Electronics Co. renders in 400x400-pixel resolution. It integrates an RM67160 driver IC and an IT7257BXQN for the touch panel.

The unit has 6H surfacehardness and ≥82 percent transmittance. It operates on 2.8V and in -10 to 50 C.

The 1,000-unit minimum order is delivered within 15 days.

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1.46in AMOLED display with free viewing angle

Dongguan Jingjin Optoelectronics Co. Ltd markets this JOA146128R1 model, a 1.46in AMOLED display with 128x128-dot resolution, 262,144 colors and 90cd/sqm brightness. The unit integrates an SSD1351 driver IC and has 1/128 duty. It can be viewed from any direction.

The minimum order is 1,000 units for delivery within 10 days.

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3.81in AMOLED display with 1080x1200 pixels

Shenzhen Top Electronic Parts Co. Ltd's model H381BDN01.1 AMOLED display has a 3.81in screen with 1080x1200-pixel resolution, 16.7 million colors and 100 percent NTSC ratio. The refresh rate is 90Hz. The unit uses MIPI DSI and adopts an RM69071 driver IC.

The order quantity is negotiable. Delivery is within 7 days.

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0.5in AMOLED display renders in 800x600 pixels

From Yunnan Olightek Opto-Electronic Technology Co. Ltd, this model SVGA050SCV1R1 0.5in AMOLED display has 800x600 pixels, 256 gray levels, >1,000:1 contrast ratio and more than 92 percent luminance uniformity. The pixel size is 12.6x12.6µm. The drive voltage is 5V.

The 100-unit minimum orderrequirement has a delivery lead time of 7 days.

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