What They Say
In its weekly data extract, DSCC published an interesting chart that shows the lesser (excluding smartphone main displays) applications for OLEDs on a volume basis (as TVs are included, it would be very different for value).
Panels for gaming (in the new version of the Nintendo Switch) should reach 4.8 million this year. IT panels for notebooks are also due for substantial growth this year (although monitors don’t yet feature in the chart). Although there have been many reports of Apple dropping the Touch Bar, DSCC still forecasts 3 million units in Q4. Secondary displays on smartphones are also growing as they are used in foldable devices.
The article also covers the share by different panel makers of the OLED smartwatch market. LGD has a 23% share and is the leader because it is the main supplier for the Apple Watch.
TV panel shipments by TV brand are also shown in the blog post with LGE taking more than 50% of LGD’s increased production although there has been more growth by other brands. OLED TV panels are expected to reach 2 million in Q3 2021.
What We Think
This is an interesting chart that really highlights how OLED is ‘coming of age’ in lots of applications. That was always the strength of the “LCD Monster”. The LCD business saw such fantastic growth precisely because it could support applications from the small to the large. One of the attractions of microLED is that it could cover to even larger sizes. (BR)
