What Display Daily thinks: Much as I glaze over when reading about investments in fabs and the promise of the next big technology, I like Hendy’s presentations here for simple reasons; they are sharp, short, and to the point.
Hendy is probably right that QDEL rivals OLED and surpasses it as an opportunity. I am not sure about how dominant OLED will be in notebooks and tablets because I am not sure the premium cost is maintainable. It isn’t for TVs and monitors and it won’t for notebooks, and I guess tablets just means iPads, which are brought by price-blind people.
What may be the watershed moment here is that Hendy is updating us on WCG and HDR as drivers of display development but is also saying that maybe the incremental improvements in quality are not justifiable by the premiums of technologies like OLED. Hybrid technologies like QD and MiniLED, and QDELs are good enough. Great is the enemy of good, and considering the billions of dollars that have to go into making great displays, it may be time to pull back to the safe haven of good enough.
If you follow the logical path from Hendy’s foresight here it should lead more bang for buck for consumers, more competition in display manufacturing, and a lot of opportunities for market growth. That’s what happens when the industry isn’t trying to make one half of the business obsolete and, instead, focuses on making products that resonate with users.
Hendy Foresees a Bright Future for Wide Color Gamut and HDR
In a two part presentation on his LinkedIn profile, display industry consultant Ian Hendy provides an analysis of the trends and technological advancements shaping the display industry, focusing on developments in wide color gamut and high dynamic range (HDR) technologies. Hendy identifies these as critical drivers of innovation and growth in the market. He draws on data from industry sources like DSCC and Omdia, as well as insights from private conversations with industry leaders.
Hendy begins by discussing current market dynamics, noting a trend of price compression from the top down. As prices decrease, displays might be perceived as good enough, potentially reducing the demand for further enhancements in color and HDR features. Despite this, Hendy emphasizes the importance of these technologies, which enhance visual experiences by improving color accuracy and contrast.
A key technological advancement Hendy highlights is Quantum Dot Electroluminescence (QDEL). This emerging technology has the potential to compete directly with OLED displays, offering similar high-quality visual performance without the costly vacuum processing traditionally required for OLEDs. Hendy is optimistic about QDEL’s future but cautions that material challenges, particularly with blue emitters, still need to be addressed before it can achieve widespread adoption. He notes that companies like Sharp are investing in QDEL, with plans to bring it to market by 2026.
Hendy also explores the competitive landscape between OLED and MiniLED technologies. He suggests that while OLED is likely to maintain its dominance in notebooks and tablets, MiniLED could capture a significant market share in televisions and monitors. This competition reflects a broader trend towards hybrid solutions, where different technologies are combined to achieve optimal display performance. He mentions that Mini LED displays, despite not being emissive technologies, often pair with narrowband phosphors or quantum dots to enhance color and dynamic range.
The presentation notes the changing business models in the TV market, with some manufacturers generating more revenue from advertising than from hardware sales. Hendy observes that this shift may reduce the emphasis on high-end features as TVs become vehicles for advertising rather than solely feature-driven products.
Finally, Hendy addresses the balance between quantum dots and phosphors for color conversion. He describes them as functional equivalents but acknowledges that narrowband phosphors currently have a larger market presence. However, he anticipates that as QDEL technology develops, the balance between these technologies may shift.
