OLED Takes Center Stage: LTPS and LTPO Penetration Rates Continue to Climb

OLED Takes Center Stage: LTPS and LTPO Penetration Rates Continue to ClimbAccording to the latest research from TrendForce, OLED has become the dominant display technology for smartphones, driving the penetration of high-end backplane technologies such as LTPS and LTPO. In 2024, the penetration rate of these technologies in the smartphone market is approaching 57%, and is projected to challenge 60% in 2025 due to improved yield rates and effective cost control

OLED Takes Center Stage: LTPS and LTPO Penetration Rates Continue to Climb

According to the latest research from TrendForce, OLED has become the dominant display technology for smartphones, driving the penetration of high-end backplane technologies such as LTPS and LTPO. In 2024, the penetration rate of these technologies in the smartphone market is approaching 57%, and is projected to challenge 60% in 2025 due to improved yield rates and effective cost control. This trend is fueled by the constant pursuit of higher screen resolutions and superior visual experiences among users.

Since Apple introduced the Retina display in the iPhone, the demand for higher screen resolutions has steadily increased. Manufacturers have subsequently developed low-temperature polysilicon (LTPS) backplane technology, which has now reached maturity. LTPS, with its high electron mobility, enables fast switching speeds and higher resolutions, meeting the display requirements of high-end smartphones. However, its high electron mobility also leads to increased leakage current, making it unable to support low-frequency dynamic refresh rate adjustments, resulting in higher overall power consumption.

To overcome the power consumption drawbacks of LTPS, low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) backplane technology was born. Currently, most flagship smartphones employ LTPO technology, which enables the display to partition and refresh different parts of the screen at varying rates, balancing multitasking capabilities and energy efficiency. The advantages of LTPO become even more pronounced in larger foldable phones. However, due to the need for additional layers in the production process, LTPO has a more complex manufacturing process and a higher cost than LTPS.

Furthermore, oxide semiconductor backplane technology, commonly used in smartphone screens, primarily utilizes materials like zinc oxide or indium gallium oxide. This technology also finds application in high-end displays, including mid-sized products like Apple's iPad and Macbook series. Oxide technology boasts lower leakage current, making it a promising candidate for future transparent display applications.

With the continued expansion of AMOLED panel production capacity, panel manufacturers are expected to prioritize the use of Oxide or LTPO backplane technologies. These technologies cater to the diverse requirements of various brands, effectively enhancing screen quality and performance in smartphones. In the future, with technological advancements and further cost reductions, LTPS, LTPO, and Oxide backplane technologies will continue to drive the evolution of smartphone display technology, delivering a superior visual experience for users.