South Korean TV giants face mounting pressure as Chinese manufacturers gain ground in the premium TV segment. Samsung Electronics' global premium TV market share dropped to 30% in the third quarter of 2024, down from 43% a year earlier, while LG Electronics saw its share decline from 20% to 16% during the same period.

LG Display (LGD) has implemented a self-developed artificial intelligence (AI) system into its OLED manufacturing process. The AI system collects and analyzes OLED process data in real-time to identify optimal solutions, expected to save over KRW200 billion (approx. US$139 million) in operational costs annually.

AmTRAN's operational performance showed marked improvement throughout 2024, with the company announcing plans to expand into AI-enabled display products. While maintaining its core partnerships with US-based manufacturers for display solutions, the company is developing new AI-integrated products slated for launch in 2025. Simultaneously, AmTRAN is streamlining its product portfolio by phasing out underperforming lines to enhance profitability and gross margins.

Google has newly unveiled Android XR, a spatial computing operating system (OS) designed for extended reality (XR) devices, poised to compete with Meta Platforms and Apple. The OS supports XR headsets, smart glasses, existing Android apps, and immersive VR content.

AmTRAN Technology, Taiwan's leading TV and monitor maker, has experienced a surge in orders from US and South Korean customers, fueled by major sporting events and early operations at its Vietnam factory. Over the first 11 months of 2024, the company shipped approximately 4.3 million TVs and gaming monitors, along with 36 million computer peripherals such as mice and webcams, surpassing its total shipment volumes for the entirety of 2023.

The fierce competition in the display industry has prompted companies like AU Optronics (AUO), Innolux, and Qisda to diversify into the healthcare sector. These industry leaders will showcase their latest medical innovations at the Taiwan Healthcare+ Expo, running December 5-8 at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, as they seek to establish footholds in the expanding medical market.

Powertip Technology's transformation from a basic display manufacturer to a comprehensive solution provider marks a significant shift in its business model. The company has evolved its product mix, with TFT displays now comprising nearly 70% of its portfolio, up from 50%, while black-and-white displays have decreased from 45% to approximately 30%.

Samsung Electronics maintained its leadership in the global premium TV market during the third quarter of 2024, despite a notable decline from the same period in 2023. Conversely, Chinese brands Hisense and TCL achieved remarkable growth, with their shipment volumes more than doubling year-over-year, underscoring their expanding influence.

Data Image Corporation, a Qisda subsidiary, expects revenue to bottom out in the fourth quarter of 2024 due to delayed shipments from key clients. A significant rebound is anticipated starting in the first quarter of 2025, with annual revenue expected to surpass the numbers in 2024. Notably, with US President Donald Trump poised to assume office, Data Image's Vietnam facility is set for further expansion in 2025.

China's government has initiated a new wave of subsidies under the "Trade-In for New" policy for televisions and consumer electronics, effectively boosting TV demand. However, compared to the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day Holiday, the sales volume in the latest Single's Day shopping festival was lower than expected. Still, the surge in high-end TVs such as ultra-large screens and Mini LED backlight models significantly lifted overall sales revenue.

Winstar Display, an innovative display solutions provider, has extended its order visibility to the second quarter of 2025. The company has secured significant replenishment orders from existing clients and integrated into key domestic and international supply chains. These efforts are driving a pipeline of large-scale projects anticipated to contribute to revenue growth by 2025.

The newest round of subsidies for trade-in programs made by China's government targeting TVs and consumer electronics has effectively boosted LCD TV demand in the fourth quarter, stabilizing panel prices. The most notable growth was observed in the ultra-large TV segment, but concerns about the potential overdrawing of future demand remain.

Taiwan-based display driver IC (DDI) manufacturer Fitipower Integrated Technology reported that its revenue for the third quarter reached nearly a nine-quarter high. The growth of mobile device DDIs has been a significant driving force; however, an increase in the shipment proportion of mobile device chips during the third quarter negatively impacted the overall product mix, leading to declines in gross margin and profitability.

Donald Trump's potential return as the US President has captured global attention. Peter Chen, chairperson of Qisda, notes that from an economic and industrial perspective, Trump's anticipated presidency is expected to boost the US stock market through his proposed quantitative-erasing policies. Lower interest rates and the resulting capital influx could positively impact the economy.

Coretronic has lowered its 2024 full-year shipment forecast for two major product lines due to delayed mass production of monitor products and lower-than-expected demand from sports-related events. During the previous quarter's earnings call, the company projected a 10-20% growth in overall shipments of energy-efficient products for 2024. However, the latest forecast indicates shipments will remain flat for the year.

Display panel leader Innolux posted an operating loss in the third quarter of 2024, though the company managed to stay profitable after taxes. Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, the company expects a traditional seasonal downturn in panel demand. However, China's "trade-in" subsidy program, aimed at encouraging consumers to upgrade their TVs, is projected to help sustain demand for complete TV sets. LCD TV panel prices are expected to remain stable, while demand for IT panels is likely to soften.

E-paper applications are experiencing rapid expansion across industries, with major developments in consumer electronics, retail, and signage sectors. Amazon introduced four new Kindle models, including its first color e-reader, to capture holiday sales. Walmart is deploying ESL systems across US stores, driving smart retail adoption. Variable-color e-paper is nearing commercialization, with large-format billboards projected to boom by 2025. E Ink Holdings is pivotal in these developments, providing essential materials for consumer electronics, retail, and signage innovations.

LG Electronics' Business Solutions (BS) division plans to nearly double its revenue in the B2B market to KRW 10 trillion (US$7.4 billion) by 2030, focusing on commercial displays and electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions. Despite selling LG Display's (LGD) Chinese LCD factory, the company assures that this will not significantly affect its operations, thanks to its supply chain diversification strategy.

In response to the global shift towards smart retailing, major retailers in both Taiwan and the US are rapidly installing Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL), with the trend gaining significant momentum. According to Feng-Yuan Kan, president of E Ink, Walmart plans to install 400 to 500 million ESL units across its U.S. stores over the next three years. Meanwhile, in Taiwan, Simple Mart has initiated a similar rollout across its 800+ stores, with installations expected to continue through mid-2025.

Taiwan has pioneered a groundbreaking light field augmented reality (AR) display technology for smart medicine, addressing common issues like dizziness, eye strain, and lack of depth perception typically associated with AR devices. This advanced technology is set to revolutionize high-precision medical procedures, such as minimally invasive surgeries, according to an October 16 announcement by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC).

Although TV sales in China have been sluggish for a while, the recent government initiative of the trade-in subsidy program has sparked a wave of consumer activity during the 2024 National Day holiday. Both sales volume and revenue saw significant growth compared to the same period in 2023, with the policy's benefits expected to extend into the upcoming Double Eleventh Day shopping festival.

Coretronic announced an unaudited monthly consolidated revenue of NT$3.435 billion (approx. US$106 million) for September 2024, marking a 5% decrease from NT$3.627 billion in August and a 3% decline from NT$3.553 billion in the same period last year. However, the company's unaudited consolidated revenue for the third quarter of 2024 reached NT$10.694 billion, representing a 7% increase quarter-over-quarter and a 3% rise year-over-year. Consolidated revenue for the first three quarters of 2024 totaled NT$29.782 billion, a slight 1% increase from NT$29.604 billion in the same period last year.

2024, a year of major sports events, has given the television industry high expectations for sales numbers. However, overall television sales this year have not shown significant increases, with AmTRAN being one of the few beneficiaries in the television market. The company is expected to exceed its shipment targets for 2024. AmTRAN states that aside from the boost from sporting events, its production facility in Vietnam has played a key role in securing increased orders from the US and South Korea, contributing to impressive revenue performance in the third quarter of 2024.

With key China-based LCD panel producers cutting back production, prices for TV applications are expected to stabilize in October, according to industry sources.

The subsidy program implemented by the Chinese government to encourage domestic consumers to replace old TVs with new ones is anticipated to stimulate overall TV demand in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to industry sources.