OLED-Info newsletter

CES: OLED TVs expected from Sony and LG

CES 2017 will begin on January 5th, and this large event will surely bring us many exciting new OLED products and prototypes. Two prominent OLED TV announcements will come from Sony and LG. According to several reports (which were pretty much confirmed by LG) Sony is set to finally introduce its first consumer OLED TV (or second one, really, if we count the 2007 XEL-1). Sony will be using WRGB panels produced by LG Display. LGD's involvement with Sony was reported back in 2013, but was never confirmed - although the company did admit it is in talks with "Japanese TV makers" in 2015.

LG Electronics is also set to launch its 2017 OLED TV range. LG Electronics published a short video teaser that obviously references its upcoming Wallpaper OLED TVs. These TVs will be extremely thin, and the panel itself sticks to the wall using magnets. In May 2015 LG Display demonstrated a prototype - 0.97 mm thick 55" OLED panel that sticks to the wall using magnets. The entire 55" OLED panel weighs only 1.9 Kg.

This new model (which will be called the OLEDW7 series) will come in either 65" or 77" and will probably be LG's top of the line model for 2017. In addition to LG's OLEDW7, the company will also unveil new models of its existing four OLED TV series, the B7, C7, E7 and G7 signature TV.

Lenovo demonstrates foldable device prototypes

Lenovo recently demonstrated two new foldable device prototypes that use flexible OLED displays. First up is the CPlus, a smartphone that turns into a smartwatch or actually a smart "band" that is worn on the wrist. The CPlus sports a 4.26" display, and is based on Android. Lenovo aims to make two version of this device, when it reaches the market - a small one and a large one.

Lenovo's second prototype is the Folio, and this is a tablet that folds in half to be an edge-type smartphone. These seem to be quite impressive demonstrations. Of course it is impossible to know how close this is for commercialization. Lenovo did not disclose the OLED producer, only that the display was provided "by a partner". Click here to view those beautiful prototypes in two stunning videos.

Will LG, Apple, Google and Microsoft co-develop foldable displays?

Korean news site ETNews says that LG Display is partnering with Apple, Google and Microsoft to develop a foldable OLED display for smartphones. The plan is for LGD to start producing such displays in 2018. LG Electronics is also part of this project, but apparently the first customers for these displays will be the three US-based companies.

LG currently produces plastic-based OLEDs in its Gen-4.5 fab (E2), with a monthly capacity of 14,000 substrates (more than double its capacity in the beginning of 2014). LG Display's flexible AMOLEDs are used in LG's mobile phones (the G Flex 2), wearable devices (such as the Watch Urbane) and in Apple's Watch. Production volume in this fab, though is still low.

LG Display next flexible OLED fab will be its $900 million E5 6-Gen flexible OLED fab - which will have a capacity of 7,500 monthly substrates - or 1.5 million 5.5" panels. The new fab is scheduled to begin mass production in the first half of 2017, and LG already started to install equipment in that fab. Perhaps LGD aims to produce those foldable displays at the E5 line. LG has also announced the $1.7 billion 6-en E6 line, which is scheduled to start producing OLEDs in H2 2018.

Samsung seems to be the most advanced company on the way to foldable OLEDs, though. SDC is working on foldable displays for many years, as the company is looking to release a foldable phone that will be able to merge the phone and tablet markets (or possible a small phone that opens to a smartphone sized display). The company has recently accelerated its efforts, and such a phone may be released in 2017. A recent report claims that Samsung will soon test the foldable-smartphone waters with a dual-display smartphone.

Everdisplay officially launches its 6-Gen Flexible AMOLED fab

A few months ago we reported that China-based AMOLED producer Everdisplay is planning to invest $4.1 billion USD to build a 6-Gen AMOLED factory. In December 2016 EDO launched this new AMOLED fab officially in a ceremony in Shanghai, China.

On December 9th Everdisplay started constructing the new fab in the Jinshan Industrial Zone in Shanghai. Investment in the new fab, according to EverDisplay, will actually be 27.2 billion yuan - or almost $4 billion USD. The fab will be able to produce 30,000 monthly substrates (1500 x 1850 mm) and will be used to produce small and medium sized flexiblle AMOLEDs (1 to 15 inch).

The fab's construction will take 24 months and EDO will begin installing production equipment in August 2018. Trial production will begin in January 2019 and mass production will only be achieved in 2021. EDO expects to achieve ten billion yuan (almost $1.5 billion USD) in annual sales from this fab.

Everdisplay started mass producing 5" 720p AMOLED displays towards the end of 2014 in a 4.5-Gen line with a monthly capacity of 20,000 substrates. Since then the company added more displays - wearable panels and larger 5.5" ones. Everdisplay is also developing flexible panels, transparent panels and high-density AMOLEDs for VR applications. According to reports, Xiaomi's Redmi Pro smartphone uses EDO's (and BOE's) 5.5" FHD AMOLED panels.

Clearance sale: Samsung 3.26" AMOLEDs

A display supplier based in China just reached out to us with a new clearance sale of Samsung's 3.26" 854x480 (300 PPI) AMOLED displays. It appears that there are about 20,000 such displays at very low prices - about a third of the normal asking price for these AMOLEDs.

These Samsung's 3.26" AMOLED panels are 80.56 x 47.16 in size (active area 72.16 x 40.56 mm) and 0.76 mm thick. The controller is Magnachip's D53E6EA8805. This is a great deal, and if anyone is looking for these panels, contact us to reach the supplier!

IHS sees 139 million flexible OLEDs shipped in 2017

IHS says that flexible display shipments (mostly OLEDs) will reach 139 million units in 2017 (or 3.8% of the total display market) - an increase of 135% compared to 2016 (59 million units). In 2023 IHS sees shipments of 560 million flexible displays. According to IHS, in 2017 flexible OLEDs will comprise 20% of the total OLED display market, and the growth in flexible OLED adoption will be lead by smartphones - and especially Apple's next-gen iPhone.

IHS also estimates that in Q3 2016, Samsung Display's flexible AMOLED revenue reached $1 billion for the first time ever. Combined shipments from all OLED makers in China reached over a 1.4 million panels in Q3 2016 according to IHS. This is still very small compared to Samsung, but is a step forward for the Chinese producers. The three active OLED producers in China are Everdisplay (EDO), BOE Display, Visionox and Tianma. IHS for some reason, does not mention BOE Display.

VR/AR market updates

Taiwan-based TrendForce says that the current leader in VR headsets is HTC (with a market share of 61.4% between April 2016 and November 2016), but the Taiwanese company will not be able to extend its lead into 2017 as it will be hit the hardest from the OLED market supply shortage.

According to TrendForce, in 2017 HTC will ship 600,000 Vive units, while Sony will ship 2.5 million PlayStation VR units and Oculus is expected to ship 1.2 million units. Other brands, all combined, will ship 800,000 units. All of these VR headsets use OLED displays.

TrendForce says that as Samsung Display cannot make enough displays to meet demand, it will prioritize and supply to its partners first - which means that Oculus (and Sony too, it seems) will be able to secure more displays than HTC. This will be the main reason that HTC will ship only 600,000 devices in 2017, according to TrendForce.

Both the HTC Vive and the Oculus rift use the same display - a 3.54" 1080x1200 PenTile AMOLED display that feature a refresh rate of 90Hz. Each headsets uses two such units (one for each eye). But according to our information, some of HTC's headsets actually use a different display - AUO's 3.8" 1080x1200 VR AMOLEDs. This is not confirmed, but if true it may be that HTC will be able to increase its orders from AUO if Samsung will not be able to supply enough panels in 2017.

On December 21st Kopin announced that it is going to enter the OLED microdisplay market for mobile VR and AR applications. The company's first OLED microdisplays will be demonstrated at CES 2017. Kopin says it has developed a novel silicon backplane structure that will enable high-speed OLED-on-silicon microdisplays. The displays will feature an ultra-high resolution, low power and small form factor. Kopin's business model is also unique - the company plans to outsource both the silicon backplane production and the OLED emissive layer deposition.

The VR market is surely exciting - and in December 2016 we published a new premium article discussing the status of the OLED for VR market.

OLED updates from Japan Display and JOLED

Japan Display announced that it received 45 billion yen ($382 million US) from INCJ in the form of unsecured subordinated convertible bonds and these funds will be used for R&D expenses on printing OLED technologies. $100 million of those funds will go to increase JDI's stake in JOLED (to over 50%).

JDI also received 30 billion yen (about $255 million US) from INCJ in the form of subordinated loan, and this money will go towards OLED R&D in the field of evaporation OLED technologies. JDI published a business plan detailing those loans and the status and plans of its OLED business. According to this plan, JDI will start producing flexible displays (apparently not OLEDs?) in 2018, which will be followed later by flexible evaporation-based OLEDs. JDI expects to start printing OLED displays in 2019. JOLED is expected to start operating as a consolidated subsidiary of JDI in the first half of 2017.

JDI was formed in November 2011 by Sony, Hitachi, and Toshiba who combined their small/medium panel production capabilities and received $2 billion from Japan's Innovation Network Corp (INCJ). JDI has always been involved with OLEDs, and has shown several prototypes (including the flexible one you see on above, demonstrated in 2015), which they refer to as film-type OLEDs. Last month JDI announced that is plans to begin producing OLED panels in 2018.

JOLED, meanwhile, has been reportedly concentrating on larger OLEDs for tablets and laptops. In August 2015 it was reported that JOLED is set to establish a new OLED research facility in Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture in a $161 investment. The facility will include a pilot line that will be able to produce samples by the end of 2016, and the facility will also evolve into a mass production fab that will begin production by 2018 (this will require, of course, a much larger investment).

Earlier reports suggested that JOLED is in talks with Apple for a possible supply agreement for Apple's future iPad devices.

CYNORA’s TADF emitters ready for industrial test within one year

This is a sponsored article by CYNORA

In 2016, TADF (Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence) emitters have received much attention in the OLED industry as the most promising method to improve OLED displays. CYNORA is one of the most active companies with several years of experience in this field and the company is now getting ready to bring a first blue TADF material to the OLED market.

In a little more than one year, CYNORA has set itself up to become a major OLED material supplier. First, an experienced CEO in this field, Gildas Sorin, the former CEO of Novaled GmbH, was brought in. Since then, CYNORA has shown significant improvement in material performance starting with the announcement of two milestones.

For more information on CYNORA and its TADF emitters, click here.

The top OLED stories in 2016

2016 is soon over - and this has been a great year for the OLED industry. Following Apple's reported adoption of OLED displays in its future iPhones, display makers accelerated their OLED production plans. The market share of OLED displays (including flexible OLEDs ) continue to increase and the market is now experience a supply shortage. OLED TVs are also becoming more and more popular.

Here are the top 10 stories posted on OLED-Info in 2016, ranked by popularity (i.e. how many people read the story):

• Lenovo announces the world's first OLED laptop - with a 14" AMOLED display (Jan 4)
• LG announce their OLED TV lineup for 2016 (Jan 6)
• Lenovo demonstrates two foldable device prototypes (Dec 22)
• HSBC: Samsung to release the first foldable OLED phone by the end of 2016 (Jan 12)
• LG's 2016 OLED TVs prices slashed before Black Friday (Nov 9)
• Audi to use OLED taillights in the 2016 TT RS coupe (Jan 12)
• ETNews: SDC and Apple signed a flexible OLED supply agreement for the 2017 iPhone (Mar 21)
• UDC's evaporable emitters still outperform the best soluble materials (Feb 5)
• Samsung confirms it is developing OLED TV panels (Jan 29)
• Samsung Display to ship the 55" transparent and mirror OLEDs in Q2 2016 (Mar 16)

2016 was seen as a transformational year by some OLED analysis, and if all goes according to plan, the OLED display (and lighting market) will experience rapid growth in the next few years. It is also very interesting to compare this list to the one we posted a year ago - most of the stories in 2015 were focused on OLED TVs and not flexible OLEDs.

LG Display discussed a new WOLED tandem stack, still based on blue+yellow emitters, that will replace its current stack and enhancing its efficiency, brightness and color gamut. This new stack will be used in LG's OLED display and lighting panels in 2017

Following 3-weeks with LG's OLEDB6 smart 4K OLED TV, I had no choice but to buy one for good

Panasonic newest IPS panel achieves a contrast ratio of over 1,000,000:1, or 600 times better than regular LCDs

The Japanese material maker decided to expand its OLED capacity in Korea in response to the expected increase in demand from OLED producers. The Korean factory currently has a capacity of 5 tons per year, and this will be increased to 8 ton per year.

ODG recently closed a $58 million funding round - which made me realize I was wrong to assume it uses eMagin's 2k x 2k OLED microdisplays

Reports from Korea say that Samsung will launch a phone with two OLEDs to test the waters before a fully foldable device

StoreDot is an Israeli nanomaterial developer that is set to compete with QD films for LCD TVs. We visited the company's HQ and came back quite impressed

A high security Android smartphone with a 5.5-inch 1440x2560 AMOLED display

Huawei's high-end smartphone features a 5.09-inch 1440x2560 AMOLED display

A smartwatch powered by a proprietary OS that uses a round 1.4-inch 400x400 AMOLED

A smart fitness band with a curved (flexible) 1.4-inch 128x16 white PMOLED