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Nov 5
AR glasses get cheaper as the next platform race begins
Augmented reality (AR) glasses could become the next mainstream computing platform after smartphones. AR glasses are the core hardware of AR technology, but rely heavily on the integration of key components such as display modules, sensors, batteries, and optical lenses. The complex optical design requirements and the need to balance display quality, human visual characteristics, and device miniaturization all contribute to high total production costs. Additionally, if waveguide technology is used, costs may rise even higher.
LCD TV panel demand is losing steam in late 2025 as China's subsidy-driven momentum fades and early shipments distort seasonal patterns, leading to weaker fourth-quarter 2025 procurement and sustained downward pressure on large-size panel prices.
The global OLED display market is fiercely competitive, becoming a key battleground for major brands. Samsung Display (SDC) and LG Display (LGD) continue to dominate the high-end panel supply chain, while brand leaders such as Asus, MSI, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and Dell aggressively push technology specifications to capture market share in mid- to high-end OLED displays.
Hinge and mechanical component manufacturer Syncmold Enterprise posted weak revenue performance in the first three quarters of 2025, mainly due to geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainties. However, the company stated that with the gradual results from new products and new customers emerging, it remains cautiously optimistic about future development.
Leading polarizer BenQ Materials is maintaining a cautious outlook for the display sector in the fourth quarter of 2025 and first half of 2026, due to a sluggish TV market and the impact of the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, according to Chairman Dr. ZC Chen during the company's latest earnings call.
AUO's profits turned to losses in the third quarter of 2025, but the company still maintained profitability for the first three quarters. The second half of the year is expected to be weaker than usual, with the traditional off-season in the fourth quarter, but 2026 has the potential to bring positive developments.
LG Display (LGD) has successfully reversed previous losses for the third quarter of 2025, posting an operating profit of KRW431 billion (US$308 million) in its latest financial report. This improvement is attributed to LGD's strategic shift toward OLED panels, with OLED revenue accounting for a record 65% of total sales, significantly boosting profitability.
E Ink Holdings, a leading Taiwanese electronic paper (e-paper) manufacturer, has partnered with Japanese IT solutions provider StellarLink to jointly launch sustainable digital signage solutions featuring the full-color E Ink Spectra 6 display technology.
Although Chinese panel manufacturers have recently gained market share, their profitability has been weak due to the high proportion of low-priced products. In contrast, South Korean companies are improving their business structure by focusing on OLED and high-end panel products.
As holiday seasons approach, including China's Singles' Day and Black Friday in Europe and the US, the smartphone panel market has maintained high utilization rates in the fourth quarter of 2025, though price trends have diverged across different panel technologies.
Although the LCD industry supply chain has begun moving from China to Vietnam in the past two years, front-end panel processes remain mainly in China or Taiwan. Sarah Lin, president of Coretronic Corporation, stated that the influx of Chinese component and module suppliers building capacity in Vietnam has created a major test for Vietnam's factory construction speed, human resources, and local culture. After building a new factory in the first half of 2025, Lin believes that Vietnam's manufacturing efficiency is lower than China's.

At the 2025 Korea Electronics Show (KES), South Korean giants Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics showcased their visions for the AI-powered home, each taking a distinct approach while emphasizing smart device connectivity as a counter to aggressive Chinese competition.