OLED displays threaten LCDs in small applications

Taiwan makers of OLED displays are leveraging R&D and production capability to establish a strong foothold in the line. Compared with TFT-LCD and LED types, OLED models are thinner and lighter at less than 2mm thick. They have a wide color range and contrast, fast response time and 170-degree viewing angle, and are bendable. The variant also consumes less power as it is self-emissive and does not require a backlight, and is therefore more environment-friendly. “Green” varieties are the mainstream, and are expected to take up a 55 percent share of the segment by 2011, according to AUO.

OLED displays are mostly used in portable electronics with screens measuring 5in and below. Mobile phones, digital cameras, car DVD players and portable media players are among the major applications.

Units from the island come in monochrome and color versions, adopting either AMOLED or PMOLED technology.

Manufacturers offer both solutions but the majority focus on the latter. Many suppliers, however, are planning to shift focus to AMOLED units as these have a higher resolution. The type is categorized as high-end and dominated by Japan and South Korea makers such as Samsung, LG Display, Sony, Sharp and Hitachi.

RiTdisplay and Univision are among those that turn out PMOLED models. The former, which also offers AMOLED units, is the first in the island to massproduce OLED displays used in car media players and mobile phones. The maker also yields polymer OLEDs.

In the AMOLED line, AUO and Chimei Innolux are the major suppliers. The first offers 2.4in transparent multitouch AMOLED in-cell panels designed for GPS applications. The company has also released a 14in AMOLED TV panel based on ELA LTPS and FMM technologies. The model supports full high-definition 120Hz resolution, 200cd/sqm brightness and 100,000:1 contrast ratio. AUO is set to start small-volume production in 2Q11.

PMOLED versions are used in digital cameras, MP3 players and watches. One limitation of this variant is size, which can be no more than 5in due to resolution quality.

Regardless of type, power consumption is a major challenge for large applications, particularly OLED TVs.