OLED Leads the Way in Smartphone Displays, AMOLED Expands to Other IT Markets: Backplane Technology Competition Intensifies

OLED Leads the Way in Smartphone Displays, AMOLED Expands to Other IT Markets: Backplane Technology Competition IntensifiesAccording to the latest display backplane research report released by TrendForce, OLED has become the mainstream display technology for smartphones, driving the penetration of high-end backplane technologies such as LTPS and LTPO in the smartphone market. The penetration rate of LTPS and LTPO technologies is expected to reach close to 57% in 2024, and with improved yield rates and effective cost control, this penetration rate is expected to challenge 60% in 2025

OLED Leads the Way in Smartphone Displays, AMOLED Expands to Other IT Markets: Backplane Technology Competition Intensifies

According to the latest display backplane research report released by TrendForce, OLED has become the mainstream display technology for smartphones, driving the penetration of high-end backplane technologies such as LTPS and LTPO in the smartphone market. The penetration rate of LTPS and LTPO technologies is expected to reach close to 57% in 2024, and with improved yield rates and effective cost control, this penetration rate is expected to challenge 60% in 2025. Meanwhile, AMOLED panels are accelerating into other IT markets, and are expected to further increase the penetration rate of Oxide and LTPO backplane technologies.

The report points out that most flagship phones currently adopt low-temperature polycrystalline oxide LTPO (Low Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) backplane technology. This technology, based on LTPS, adds oxide semiconductors to optimize display performance, including improving the leakage current problem when driving the screen, and adjusting the screen refresh rate based on the displayed content. For example, in foldable phones with larger screen sizes, LTPO technology can achieve screen splitting and different refresh rate effects, combining multi-tasking mode and energy-saving effects.

However, due to the need to stack more layers in the production process of LTPO, the process is complex, and the manufacturing cost is higher than that of LTPS. The oxide (Oxide) semiconductor backplane technology commonly used for smartphone screens currently mainly uses materials such as zinc oxide (ZnO) or indium gallium oxide (IGZO). This technology is also commonly used in high-end displays, such as Apple's iPad and Macbook series of mid-size products. Oxide has low leakage current, which is beneficial for future applications in transparent displays.

In addition to OLED's dominance in the smartphone display market, AMOLED panels are also accelerating into other IT markets, including mid-size displays such as tablets and laptops. According to research, IT device brand customers will comprehensively consider display effects, energy consumption, cost, and product positioning when choosing backplane technology for matching. Currently, panel manufacturers are expected to prioritize the use of Oxide or LTPO high-end backplane technologies when preparing for new production capacity of large-generation AMOLED panels to meet the requirements of different brands for specifications.

This means that display backplane technology will show a diversified development trend in the future. High-end backplane technologies such as LTPO and Oxide will continue to occupy important positions in the smartphone and mid-size display markets, and AMOLED panels will further expand their applications. With continuous improvement in technology progress and cost control, display backplane technology will continue to drive performance improvements and application scenario expansion for display devices.