Taiwan’s MIC has predicted the first ever decline in the worldwide tablet market this year. However, small- and medium-size TFT-LCD panel (SMP) shipments will be upheld due to strong growth momentum of smartphones and automotive displays. MIC expects SMP shipments to reach 3.1 billion in 2015 and 2016 – exhibiting low (0.1% and 0.3%, respectively) growth each year.
Thanks to high demand in China, smartphones have become the main growth driver for SMPs. Last year, smartphones represented about 40% of total shipments worldwide. Automotive panels also sustained growth, thanks to vendors’ long-term deployment in the niche market – and the increasing consumer demand for in-care mobile communications and AV systems.
| Worldwide Small- and Medium-Size TFT-LCD Panel Shipment Volume, 2015 – 2019 (000s) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 (E) | 2016 (F) | 2017 (F) | 2018 (F) | 2019 (F) | |
| Shipments | 3,104,283 | 3,113,395 | 3,083,406 | 3,071,357 | 3,093,671 |
| YoY Growth | 0.1% | 0.3% | -1.0% | -0.4% | 0.7% |
| Source: MIC | |||||
