OLED-Info - OLED industry portal

Samsung Electronics to introduce new titanium components that enhance its foldable smartphone flexibility, thinness and strength

Ron Mertens — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:33:44 +0300

Samsung Electronics unveiled a new technology that enhances the durability and reduces the crease in foldable OLED panels. The Flex Titanium technology integrates two titanium-based components, a titanium-alloy film and a titanium plate.

According to Samsung, these two components working together to balance slimness, flexibility and strength within the foldable display structure.

Lenovo and MSI launch the first consumer products to utilize TCL CSOT's inkjet printed OLED panels

Ron Mertens — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:39:18 +0300

A few days ago we reported that TCL CSOT is launching commercial production of inkjet printed OLED panels at the company's 5.5-Gen line, and today two companies formally announced the first products to utilize these panels. This is an exciting moment for the OLED industry - we already had commercial inkjet production by JOLED years ago, but the company did not manage to reach full-scale production. Hopefully TCL CSOT with its T8 large-scale 8.6-Gen line will fare much better.

The first product is the premium MSI Pro Max OLED 271UPJW12, based on a 27" 4K (164 PPI) 120Hz and Real RGB Stripe side-by-side subpixel structure. The monitor integrates MSI's OLED Auto Care Compensation Technology, to mitigate burn-in.

Tianma reports high losses in the first half of 2026, cites low demand for flexible OLED smartphone displays

Ron Mertens — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 15:28:05 +0300

Tianma Microelectronics released its interim financial results for the first half of 2026, reporting a net loss of around $105-$110 million USD (before non-recurring items that expand the loss to $133 million).

Tianma says that the rising memory prices which caused a decline in the smartphone market is the main reason for its increased losses. The flexible AMOLED market, according to Tianma, was particularly impacted by the weak demand in the Chinese smartphone market.

Omdia: large-area OLED panel shipments to grow 18.8% in 2026

Ron Mertens — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 14:36:03 +0300

Omdia says that it large-area OLED shipments will grow 18.8% in 2026, to reach 38.8 million units, thanks to high demand for OLED monitors and laptop displays.

In general the large-area display market (LCD + OLED) will shrink 2.3% to 916.9 million units in 2026.

OLED display backplanes, part 1 of 7: introduction & PMOLED

Ron Mertens — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 06:00:02 +0300

The display backplane is the grid of thin-film transistors (TFTs) sitting behind the pixels, switching and feeding each one. It is one of the major constraint on what an OLED display can do, and is also the component that actually consumes (or wastes, really) most of the energy, more than the OLED emitters themselves.

This article is the first in a new seven-part series that will offer a practical guide to the backplane technologies of today, and of the future. Across the parts we explain how each one works, how it is manufactured, which products use it, and where its roadmap is heading. The journey runs from the simplest displays of all to the most advanced backplane in development today:

Part 1: Introduction to the series, and PMOLED (the backplane-free OLED).
Part 2: a-Si: the backplane that built the LCD industry but could never power OLEDs.
Part 3: LTPS: the laser-crystallized silicon that finally drove OLED.
Part 4: Oxide TFT (IGZO): the scalable, low-power newcomer.
Part 5: LTPO: the flagship hybrid TFT that enables VRR
Part 6: HMO: high-mobility oxide, the future industry backplane?
Part 7: Organic TFTs and silicon CMOS microdisplay backplanes

Nintendo may soon begin developing a OLED version of its popular Switch 2 gaming console

Ron Mertens — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 08:51:51 +0300

In 2021, Nintendo launched its first OLED gaming console, the Nintendo Switch OLED. This was a big success for Nintendo, that shipped over 20 million units by 2024. In 2025, Nintendo launched the Switch 2, that has an 7.9" 1920x1080 120 Hz LCD display (produced by Sharp).

In 2024, we reported that Nintendo will likely go for the same playbook as with the original Switch - to enjoy 2 upgrade cycles with the same device generation by utilizing a better screen (i.e. an OLED) in a second version.

LG Display said to accelerate its plans to convert some of its 8-Gen WOLED fab in Paju to eLEAP AMOLED production

Ron Mertens — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 20:56:38 +0300

Last year, we reported that LG Display is looking into adopting Japan Display's eLEAP technology at its OLED TV production lines in Paju, perhaps seeking to produce RGB AMOLED displays for IT applications at these fabs that are currently under utilized. In April 2026, we reported that LG Display is progressing with this plan, and is checking an investment plan to apply eLEAP into its large-area OLED production lines.

Originally we heard that LGD plans to make a final decision on the eLEAP introduction by the end of 2026, hoping to secure Apple as a customer for these IT OLEDs. According to the latest report from China, LG Display has already ordered the required equipment - and even began installing some of the machine, that will enable it to convert its existing 8-Gen WOLED production line in Paju to eLEAP AMOLED production.

Reports suggest BOE struggles to get approval for its Nanjing WOLED production line project

Ron Mertens — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 20:47:01 +0300

In May 2026 we reported that BOE is looking to upgrade its pilot WOLED (WRGB) production capabilities. According to the company's plan back then, it would convert some of its B18 8.5-Gen LCD fab in Nanjing to WOLED production.

LG WOLED monitors

According to new industry reports, BOE did not manage to get an approval from the Chinese authorities, as these are worried the large-scale investment required to build large-area WOLED production lines do not have merit. Other reports suggest that there is an internal conflict within BOE over this project.

TCL CSOT starts producing 27" 4K inkjet printed OLED monitor panels at its 5.5-Gen line in Wuhan

Ron Mertens — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 20:42:17 +0300

In March we reported that TCL CSOT's first consumer-grade inkjet printed OLED display has completed functional verification, and the company is planning to mass produce these panels in July 2026. There are now reports that the company is indeed starting production of this panel.

TCL's first inkjet printed consumer panel is a 27" 120Hz 4K stripe-RGB display, that offers a brightness of up to 300 nits, and a color gamut of 99% DCI-P3. This is a panel that TCL CSOT already demonstrated several times. CSOT is producing the panel at its low-volume 5.5-Gen inkjet line. This is low volume production, but a very important step for CSOT.

Samsung Display aims to increase its OLED gaming laptop market share in China, launches dedicated OBLYX OLED brand

Ron Mertens — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 16:07:55 +0300

Samsung Display is looking to increase its market share in the Chinese OLED gaming laptop market. The company has made its first appearance at the Bilibili World 2026 gaming and anime conference, and has introduced a new brand, OBLYX OLED, specifically for the Chinese gaming laptop market.

The company explain that the OBLYX name comes from Obsidian, a naturally occurring volcanic black glass material, which puts an emphasis on the fact that OLEDs can represent true black colors. Samsung hopes that consumers will learn to recognize the OBLYX OLED brand and to specifically look for gaming laptops that utilize these panels.

VESA launches the DisplayHDR True Balck 1400 flagship specification as OLED display performance increases

Ron Mertens — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 06:00:06 +0300

The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) announced its latest flagship specification standard, the DisplayHDR True Black 1400. This new standard certified the latest generation of OLED displays for professional HDR content creation and premium HDR content consumption.

VESA says that by launching this new tier, it recognizes the advances in OLED display technology that enable significantly higher luminance performance while preserving the deep black levels, exceptional contrast and visual fidelity.

Sunic System says it holds a 85% market share in OLED microdisplay deposition systems, sees an accelerating in orders in 2026

Ron Mertens — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 16:00:06 +0300

Sunic System says that it holds a 85% market share in the OLED deposition systems for the production of OLED microdisplays. The company is seeing an acceleration in its orders intake, signaling a buildup of OLED microdisplay capacity.

Sunic says that in the first half of 2026 it received orders from three OLED microdisplay producers, and it hopes to sign four more customers in the second half of the year. The company is seeing a clear acceleration in OLED microdisplay system orders, and if all seven potential customer sign up, the company's revenues from this business segment will reach 200 billion Won, or almost $133 million USD.

TCL CSOT progresses with its 8.6-Gen inkjet printing line, orders more equipment from Korean vendors

Ron Mertens — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 14:00:35 +0300

TCL CSOT continues to order equipment for its T8 8.6-Gen inkjet printing IT AMOLED production line in Guangzhou, and two Korean equipment makers announced orders from CSOT.

First up is DeviceENG, that secured a 25.7 billion Won ($17 million USD) order to supply it with mask cleaning systems. All systems will be supplied by November 2026.

AGC to upgrade its Gumi glass fab to produce next-generation OLED glass substrate

Ron Mertens — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 13:12:17 +0300

AGC Fine Techno Korea, a subsidiary of AGC Group, has signed an MOU with the local government in Gyeongsangbuk-do Korea, that will support the company's Gumi glass plant upgrade project.

AGC is currently produce LCD glass substrates at its Gumi plant, and the company now intends to establish a production line in that fab that will produce higher-quality substrates for large-area OLED display production.

BOE shipped over 80 million flexible OLED displays in the first half of 2026, sees profit rise over 55% from last year

Ron Mertens — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 08:27:33 +0300

BOE released its preliminary financial results for the first half of 2026, saying that its net profit will rise to $734 to $800 million USD, an increase of 54% to 69% from the first half of 2025.

The company says that its strong financial performance was mostly enabled by an improved demand for LCD displays that enabled an increase in prices, in addition to strong flexible OLED shipments. BOE shipped over 80 million flexible OLEDs in the first half of 2026.

Samsung Display cancels its TFT-on-glass OLED microdisplay project for Apple

Ron Mertens — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 07:43:56 +0300

A few months ago we reported that Apple has decided to cancel its Vision Pro VR headset product line, and will not continue to develop the next version. The development team has been disbanded, and Apple will focus now on its future AR AI headset.

Today there are reports in Korea that Apple has cancelled the project it had to develop a more affordable OLED microdisplay, as it shifts its focus to AI-powered AR glasses.

LGD: study finds that high refresh rate monitors increase gaming performance, plans to strenghten its high-refresh-rate Gaming OLED lineup

Ron Mertens — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 07:36:07 +0300

LG Display published the outcomes of its own experimental study on how the refresh rate of gaming monitors affects actual real-world gaming performance. According to the paper, using a monitor with a higher refresh rate enhances object recognition in dynamic scenes, thereby improving reaction speed and accuracy.

In the experiment, 31 adult male gamers played with four different refresh rates — 60Hz, 240Hz, 360Hz, and 480Hz — in random order while playing a first-person shooter (FPS) game. LGD looked at both quantitative indicators such as the gaming score (successful hits) and the time it took from eliminate a target, and also qualitative indicators such as smoothness, ease of tracking, and overall preference.

KAIST researchers develop an auxetic-based stretchable display platform

Ron Mertens — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 06:43:50 +0300

Researchers at KAIST developed an auxetic-based stretchable display platform, that expand in both width and length when pulled. Such a design could be used to enable a display that stretches in a uniform way at the same ratio in all directions.

The new design uses computational analysis to selectively connect only the necessary points that ensure isotropic expansion throughout the substrate, unlike standard methods that bond the auxetic structure and the stretchable substrate across the entire surface.

OLED-Info Pro Video Interview - Mike Hack from Universal Display

Ron Mertens — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 10:38:01 +0300

In our first OLED-Info Pro video interview we host Mike Hack, VP of Business Development at Universal Display.

In the interview we discuss the past, present and future of OLEDs, what's next for UDC, novel materials and architectures, OVJP's future, soluble OLEDs, PSF, tandems, IT displays, and more!

Summer Sprout plans to IPO at the Shanghai Stock Exchange and raise $88 million to accelerate its OLED materials development

Ron Mertens — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 15:31:47 +0300

China-based OLED material developer and producer Summer Sprout Technology has filed for an IPO at the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The stock exchange formally accepted its application to list at the Science and Technology Innovation Board.

According to the plan, Summer Sprout will list 49 million shares, and will raise 600 million RMB, or $88.2 million USD.

AP Systems sees demand for next-gen OLED processes, develops ALD systems for HMO deposition and OCR inkjet printing equipment

Ron Mertens — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 08:30:14 +0300

AP Systems announced that it is developing next-generation OLED mass production equipment, as it sees opportunities in the OLED sector to introduce new production technologies.

The first system the company is developing is a new Plasma Atomic Layer Deposition (PeALD) system, used for the deposition of High Metal Oxides (HMO) backplanes. HMO is sees as promising candidate for the next-generation OLED backplane of choice.

Sigmaintell: demand for OLED laptop panels is increasing sharply, market share to reach 19% by 2030

Ron Mertens — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 15:17:41 +0300

According to Sigmaintell, the demand for gaming laptops in China is declining, but OLED gaming laptop panel shipments are increasing sharply. Global OLED laptop panel shipments reached 3.6 million units in the first quarter of 2026 (up 69% from 2025) and reached 4.2 million units in the second quarter of 2026.

Gaming laptop panel shipments in China, 2026

The company says that the demand for OLED laptop panels is not a short-term trend, and will continue to increase in the future.

Jilin OLED Material Tech reports a sharp increase in revenue and profit in the first half of 2026

Ron Mertens — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 14:15:09 +0300

China's Jilin OLED Material Tech released its interim results for the first half of 2026 - with a high increase in both revenues and net profit. These aren't the final results, but they are certainly impressive.

Jilin OMT says that it expects that its profit has risen from 27 million RMB ($4 million) in H1 2025 to 160-190 million RMB ($23-28 million USD) in H1 2026 - that's a dramatic increase of 500-600%! Excluding non-recurring items, Jilin expects to have a net profit of 105-125 million RMB.

KFC is testing the use of transparent OLEDs in South Africa

Ron Mertens — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 19:42:59 +0300

KFC is testing new technologies in its new flagship restaurant near South Africa's Johannesburg airport.

The new restaurant concept includes a huge LED façade used for drive-thru ordering, a large semi-circular LED screen on the roof, but reportedly the most exciting feature is the new self-order kiosks that are based on large (likely 55") transparent touch OLED displays.

LORDIN discloses the molecular structure of its ZETPLEX blue phosphorescent Pt dopant, starts shipping evaluation materials

Ron Mertens — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 19:41:43 +0300

LORDIN has publicly disclosed the molecular structure behind its ZETPLEX platinum (Pt) dopant concept, publishing the work in a peer-reviewed paper. The disclosure marks the first time the company has revealed the chemistry underlying its materials.

LORDIN says that the material structure leads to a simplified deposition process while also improving device lifetime.

ETRI researchers develop a single-substrate QD-OLED deposition process

Ron Mertens — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:47:48 +0300

Researchers from Korea's ETRI, working together with Gosan Tech and Duksan Neolux, developed a new inkjet printing based process to deposit single-substrate stacked QD-OLED panels.

Samsung Display, the only company that produces commercial QD-OLED displays, utilizes a process that deposits the OLED emitters and the QD layers on different substrates, which are then bonded together. Producing both the emitters and the QDs on the same substrate will make the process easier (and thus cheaper), and will also enable higher resolutions (as the alignment on the bonding process limits the resolution).

More details emerge on SDC's $2.5 billion flexible OLED expansion plan in Asan

Ron Mertens — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 13:09:07 +0300

Last month we reported that Samsung Display decided to expand its OLED production hub in Asan, looking to expand its flexible (mostly foldable) OLED capacity.

According to the latest news from Korea, Samsung has indeed confirmed the expansion, and more details on SDC's plans has emerged. This expansion plan is part of a large Korean government initiative to build a next-generation production base in Asan, for both displays and semiconductors.

A Walk Down Memory Lane - Q3 2026: OLED History from 20, 10, and 5 Years Ago

Ron Mertens — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0300

In our OLED history article series, we look back 20, 10, and 5 years ago, and revisit the history of the OLED industry. We hope these articles are nostalgic, and fun - but also informative - by reflecting on the past, we can better understand how far the industry has come and where it is headed.

20 years ago - Q3 2006

In the summer of 2006 the OLED industry was still tiny, built mostly around PMOLED displays for mobile sub-displays and music players, while AMOLED makers were still wrestling with yields.

A good snapshot of the era: DisplaySearch reported that at the end of Q2 2006, OLEDs held just a 3.5% share of the small/medium display market, with AMOLED producers still struggling to ramp up production.

Samsung decides not to adopt BOE's AMOLEDs in its flagship S27 smartphone series, will use SDC panels exclusively

Ron Mertens — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 16:19:39 +0300

Samsung Electronics, aiming to reduce its cost structure, recently ordered 15 million AMOLED panels from CSOT, that are adopted in the 2026 Galaxy A57 and S FE models smartphones. Last month we reported that Samsung is in talks with BOE to the supply of advanced AMOLED displays that will be used in the basic model of the flagship Galaxy S27 smartphone.

Today a report in Korea says that Samsung Electronics eventually decided to not use BOE's AMOLEDs, and will rely exclusively on OLED panels made by Samsung Display.

Rumors suggest Samsung may launch its first rollable OLED phone in 2028

Ron Mertens — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 12:43:43 +0300

A new report from Korea says that Samsung Display and Samsung Electronics are in advanced discussions towards the supply of smartphone rollable OLED panels, as Samsung Electronics is considering launching its first rollable phone in 2028.

According to the report, the phone will have a 10-inch 440PPI display (when fully opened), with a 16:9 aspect ratio. This will be almost tablet sized - and much larger than most foldable phones (Samsung's Z Fold7 for example has a 8-inch display when opened).