Digitimes Research has forecast that shipments of TDDI (touch and display driver integrated) chips will hit five million in 2018 with Novatek Microelectronics and Himax Technologies expected start shipping in volume. Synaptics and FocalTech Systems are already in mass production and Synaptics is the top vendor. Digitimes Research believes that the other companies will use price as an incentive to tempt clients away from Synaptics. However, Synaptics can support LTPS panels which are becoming increasingly popular with smartphone makers.
Analyst Comment
TDDI chips are very helpful as the smartphone industry moves to bezel-less devices. IHS has reported that TDDI touch is more competitive than on-cell touch in that application and has been adopted by vendors including Xiaomi with the Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus. (BR)
