China-based touch panel makers' medium-size one glass solution (OGS) products have reportedly dropped in price to about 20% less than Taiwan makers' due to increased production, according to industry sources.
Makers such as Truly Optoelectronics, EELY and Laibao High-Tech have all been increasing their production in order to meet expected demand for use in tablet products during 2013. Market estimates state that global tablet shipments will reach 180 million units in 2013, up 45% on year, with white-box tablets expected to be popular in China.
The increased demand has already pushed 7-inch OGS products down from US$20 in 2012 to about US$12 in 2013, the sources noted, adding that such developments are causing major companies such as Amazon, Asustek Computer and HTC to increase their orders to China-based touch panel makers.
O-Film Tech saw its shipments of touch panels used in tablet products increase 700% to 2.64 million units during the first quarter of 2013 due to increased orders from HTC and Asustek, the sources said.
Meanwhile, Digitimes Research noted that China-based touch panel makers' shipments of touch panels used in tablet products increased by 44.7% in the first quarter to 13.76 million units.
China-based touch panel makers see increased orders due to their price advantages in the market
Photo: Shihmin Fu, Digitimes, April 2013
Article translated by Alex Wolfgram
