Taiwan-based panel makers have been behind other leading panel firms in the development of AMOLED technology, but the Taiwan makers estimate that AMOLED will not seriously threaten the TFT LCD market in the next three years but its potential is great.
The application of AMOLED panels on smartphones has been thriving causing a shortage of the panels. Meanwhile, AMOLED has been seen as the next mainstream technology for TVs over LCD in the near future, therefore, South Korea-based panel makers have been developing such technology with great ambitions.
The 5.5G AMOLED production by Samsung Mobile Display (SMD) has been operating since the second quarter and will expand through various phases. The production capacity is expected to 48,000 units in a single month by end of 2011 and to 90,000 units by first half of 2012.
Although AMOLED panels have been popular, there are problems that need to be overcome such as lack of resolution. The highest resolutions for AMOLED panels so far are 270 and 275ppi while non-silicon TFT LCD panels can achieve resolutions up to 300ppi. However, AMOLED panels have strengths in thickness and lack of need for backlight modules, according to AUO.
The AMOLED panel technology is still under development, according to CMI.
Sintek, one of Hannstar's investment company, will begin production of AMOLED panel sensors in first quarter 2012. The beginning monthly capacity is expected at 50,000 glass substrates mainly for SMD.
SMD has been trying to self-produce AMOLED materials as vertical integration has always been the strategy of Samsung.
Article translated by Jackie Chang
