OLED hot theme for computers, TVs at CES

The writing on the wall for our OLED future has been clear for a while. Recent reports have shown that OLED adoption is growing thanks to China manufacturers helping to erode profits in LCDs. This has shown that OLEDs will drive profits in the TV market. Now, it looks like Apple might adopt the technology in its next iPhone, which would increase OLED consumption three-fold. If there were any lingering doubt about the future of OLED, though, one needs only to look at the products coming out of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this year. LG Electronics, which was the only producer of OLED TVs until recently, suggested that it could triple OLED TV sales in 2016. The company also showed off a new OLED display that can be rolled up like a newspaper. Not to be outdone, Dell debuted its 30in OLED monitor in 4K with USB-C input. As can be imagined, this technology does not come cheap. The UltraSharp 30 will sell for $4,999.

OLED laptops are on the way as well. Lenovo's X1 Yoga will be the first laptop with an OLED display, according to Digital Trends, but it is a customization that consumers must choose at an extra expense of about $200. The base model does not come cheap, either. It starts at $1,450. The Yoga line of laptops that can fold into tablets, which is admittedly cumbersome, have been well-received though. The 14in OLED screen on this model will have a 1440-pixel resolution, and the battery is expected to last about 9 to 11 hours. Alienware, a Dell subsidiary, also announced a laptop with a 13in OLED display. However, since Alienware is known for its heavy-duty gaming machines, its laptop will not be as svelte as Lenovo's new Yoga. Not much else is currently known about the laptop, though, including price.

These developments in the OLED market mean that much of the LCD space has been ceded to China. Makers from the country have aggressively out-competed rivals on LCD prices, but China's OLED manufacturing market is almost nonexistent, which makes them vulnerable to the new direction many consumer electronics manufacturers are going. Still, LCDs are not disappearing, as they still remain the only reasonable option for most consumers. The new front for innovation in this space is HDR. LG announced at CES 4K LCD TVs with HDR, joining the ranks of Sony and Samsung, which range in size from 49 to 86in. Now, consumers in the market for a new TV have to ask themselves if they'd rather have a moderately-sized OLED TV or an LCD TV that fills the room.

See a comparison table of selected OLED TV and display suppliers on GlobalSources.com