LTPS, AMOLED Displays to Dominate Smartphone Panel Shipments in 2016

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Fan also noted that the global LTPS capacity for a long time catered mainly to Apple for its iPhone series, with the major suppliers being Japanese Display Inc. (JDI), LG Display (LGD) and Sharp. Other smartphone vendors could only secure surplus capacity for their high-end models. However, panel suppliers lately have been eyeing China as a target market for LTPS products on account of local smartphone brands’ rapid rise. First-tier panel suppliers are still ahead in terms of technology and shipment volume for their LTPS products. However, late market entrants – AU Optronics (AUO), Innolux, Tianma and BOE Technology (BOE) – are starting to expand their capacities and intend to increase their LTPS market share with aggressive pricing. 

AMOLED panels present an opportunity for smartphone vendors to differentiate their products

The gradual homogenization of smartphone panel products has given the AMOLED technology a chance to expand its market share. Fan pointed out that AMOLED panels offer high color saturation along with being light, thin and efficient in power consumption. These are qualities that smartphone vendors can use to set their products apart from the competition. Moreover, SDC is pressing ahead with selling AMOLED panels to customers outside of the Samsung brand and has established itself in the supply chains of several Chinese smartphone vendors during 2015. Approximately 20% of the total AMOLED panel shipments from SDC in 2015 went to non-Samsung customers, according to WitsView’s projection.