Blog from May 2022

Financial

DSCC Shows Large Drop in 2023 Display Equipment Spending

May 2, 2022

Given the worsening pricing and supply/demand picture, we have seen a number of fab expansion projects delayed and a few canceled. As a result, we now show 2023 equipment spending on a move-in basis down 57% to just $5.3B. By technology, we show LCDs down 70% to just $1.9B and OLEDs down 42% to $3.4B. Note, we do show a number of fab projects with deliveries in Q1’24 and show 2024 up 117% vs. 2023 to $11.6B. In 2024, we show OLEDs up 115% to $7.3B and LCDs up 121% to $4.3B. We also show another 15% growth in 2025 to a total of $13.3B. We lowered 2020-2025 spending by 6% to $71B.
Read More

Financial

No Respite for LCD TV Panel Price Declines

May 2, 2022

LCD TV panel prices continue to decline, and the pace of price decreases is accelerating in the second quarter despite prices approaching cash costs. The combination of a continued surge in supply and near-universally weak demand continues to drive prices down. A month ago, we reported that the LCD TV panel market appears to be in a sort of a lull. That lull seems to have broken, and not in favor of the panel makers. Prices declined dramatically from their peaks in mid-2021 but supply has continued to be robust while we face the slowest season for demand. Our sources indicate that some brands considered that prices might stabilize in Q1 and used the period to stock up on low prices but have faced continued weak demand and now hold excess inventory.
Read More

MicroLED

MicroLED Prototypes Demonstrated at Display Week

May 16, 2022

Several companies demonstrated new MicroLED prototypes during Display Week. Many of them were microdisplays targeted at AR/VR applications. AUO demonstrated a 6.45” stretchable MicroLED display with a 900 × 540 resolution (163 PPI), as well as a 3.5” stretchable display (141 PPI) made in partnership with PlayNitride. AUO also had a high resolution 14.6” rollable display (2560 × 1440, 202 PPI) that used quantum dots for color conversion.
Read More

Events

SID Exhibit Highlights - LGD, SDC, BOE and China Star

May 16, 2022

In this article, I will share with you some of the highlights of the SID 2022 exhibit from my perspective. I focused on the panel suppliers with BOE, China Star, LGD and SDC having large booths and numerous interesting developments.
Read More

OLED

Q1’22 OLED Revenues Flat Y/Y Despite 4% Unit Decline

May 16, 2022

As revealed in DSCC’s latest release of the OLED Shipment Report – Flash Edition, OLED panel revenues remained flat Y/Y despite a 4% Y/Y unit decline in Q1’22. OLED applications that had Y/Y panel shipment and revenue increases were:
Read More

Events

Smartphone Display Market and Technology Outlook

May 23, 2022

I started by covering the latest smartphone set shipment results and a 2022 forecast by region. Smartphone unit shipments were up 4% in 2021 to 1.4B units, with China the largest region and Middle East and Africa growing the fastest. For 2022, we forecast the market to fall 1% with Asia Pacific expected to overtake China. Eastern Europe and China are expected to decline the most. But there are growing concerns that the market could be down a lot more, 10% - 15%, if China shutdowns are extended, war persists, inflation, etc. LCD volumes appear to be most affected due to weakness in China and Eastern Europe where LCDs are stronger. Some brands are rumored to be cutting up to 30% of their LCD volumes.
Read More

Samsung Reports Breakthrough on Blue Phosphorescent OLED Lifetime

May 23, 2022

The development of phosphorescent blue OLED emitters (PhOLED) promises to greatly enhance the prospects for OLED displays by allowing for improved brightness efficiency and/or lower cost. Early this year, Universal Display Corporation (UDC) announced that they expect to achieve target performance for commercialization of blue PhOLED by the end of the year and expect commercial sales of the material by 2024.
Read More

Blog Archives