In a strategic move to diversify its display supply chain, Apple has selected Tianma Microelectronics to provide 7-inch LCD panels for its upcoming screen-equipped HomePod, scheduled for release in 2025. The Chinese manufacturer secured the contract with an aggressive pricing of US$10 per unit, which industry observers note is exceptionally competitive even among Chinese suppliers.

The patent dispute between Samsung Display (SDC) and BOE has intensified, with each company initiating lawsuits in the US and China. Meanwhile, the geopolitical climate, especially the tensions between the US and China, further complicates this industry rivalry and may affect panels' supply chain and pricing dynamics.

LG Display (LGD) and Samsung Display (SDC) dominate high-end OLED technology, but their reliance on Apple orders faces pressure from cheaper Chinese OLED panels supplied to local IT firms.

Macroblock, a leading LED driver IC manufacturer, has successfully entered China's electric vehicle (EV) supply chain in 2024. With its automotive product line steadily advancing, the company anticipates 2025 as a breakout year, marking a significant revenue increase.

As a new member of the SEMI Silicon Photonics Industry Alliance (SiPhIA), Brightek is actively expanding its international presence, promoting its latest EVO ICLED products in markets such as China, the US, Germany, and South Korea. Despite lower-than-projected automotive and notebook demand in 2024, the company plans to deliver samples of its next-generation ICLED to automotive customers by year-end, targeting integration into new vehicle models launching by the end of 2025.

The visibility of automotive product orders for LED manufacturer Edison is projected to extend throughout 2025, instilling confidence in the growth momentum of automotive orders. The company anticipates that both its LED lighting and automotive businesses will experience double-digit growth in 2025, particularly with finished product applications expected to achieve a compound annual growth rate of 20%.

Fan-out panel level packaging (FOPLP) is a promising semiconductor technology that has been attracting investments from Taiwan's supply chains, including IC foundries, OSATs, panel manufacturers, and IC substrate suppliers.

As AI technology advances, demand for electronic product upgrades is boosting panel shipments, with OLED adoption and niche applications driving growth in the display industry. The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) forecasts Taiwan's display panel industry will reach NT$791.8 billion (approx. US$24.3 billion) in 2024, up 2% year-over-year, and NT$812.9 billion in 2025, up 2.6%. Globally, the display panel market is expected to be valued at US$118 billion in 2024, a 9.8% yearly increase, and US$124.5 billion by 2025, up 5.5%.

LED manufacturer Ledtech turned a profit in the first three quarters of 2024, following a reorganization of its business and marketing operations earlier in the year. The company is now focusing on high-margin products such as low-temperature lighting, with this segment's revenue share climbing from 14% in the third quarter of 2023 to 29% in the third quarter of 2024. Targeting markets in the Americas and Europe, Ledtech is expanding its own brand and officially entering the ESG sustainable lighting field.

Ennostar ended its streak of eight consecutive quarterly losses in the third quarter of 2024, despite experiencing a weaker-than-usual peak season. The turnaround was achieved through increased revenue, higher gross margins, and additional non-operating gains. Paul Peng, the chairperson of Ennostar, attributed the improvement to the company's shift toward high-value products and reduced idle capacity.

Taiwan is gradually positioning itself as a global leader in Micro LED development, driven by extensive investments in core areas like epitaxial wafers, TFT substrates, mass transfer, and full-color display technologies. However, with OLED technology advancing rapidly, Taiwan must redouble innovation efforts to sustain the competitiveness of Micro LED technology.

The polarizer market continues to face oversupply pressures, limiting average selling price (ASP) growth. BenQ Materials has strengthened its portfolio with high-value products, including automotive and OLED polarizers, while also commencing shipments of Micro LED materials. Supply and demand for panels in 2025 are projected to remain consistent with 2024, supported by strategic capacity adjustments.

Samsung Display (SDC) plans to accelerate the production of its 8.6G OLED panels for IT applications, which will first be utilized in Samsung Electronics' notebook products.

As AUO (AU Optronics) undergoes a strategic transformation, the company maintains a cautious stance on fan-out panel level packaging (FOPLP) but shows increased optimism about silicon photonics' future. Leveraging its optoelectronic expertise and Micro LED technology, AUO aims to enter the emerging silicon photonics field.

Micro LED technology is emerging as a promising solution for high-speed AI data transmission and SiPh-based optical communication. Dr. David Su, Chief Strategy Officer of Ennostar, has emphasized that traditional copper wiring is inadequate for AI's escalating data requirements.

Samsung Electronics is expected to launch its flagship Galaxy S25 series in early 2025. Reports indicate that Samsung Display (SDC) will supply OLED panels using a material combination known as "M13."

As China relaxes car purchase restrictions while local governments start to introduce purchase subsidies, the automotive industry is entering its traditional peak in the fourth quarter, fueling significant growth for automotive LED suppliers, who expect robust operations in the final quarter of the year.

Despite the ongoing commercialization of Micro-LED technology, pressure to lower production costs remains high. Charles Li, chairman of PlayNitride, stated that the company initially set a goal in 2020 to reduce pixel costs by 50% annually for five years, and he believes this goal can be extended through 2030 based on Moore's Law. The company projects Micro-LED costs will continue to decline over the next 20 to 30 years.

Samsung Electronics has launched bold restructuring efforts to boost competitiveness, forming a business task force to enhance R&D and explore new business avenues, according to Businesskorea.

Apple's adoption of OLED panels in the iPad Pro, starting in May 2024, signals a shift in display technology, driving broader OLED adoption in tablets and notebooks. Analysts expect Mini LED tablet shipments to dwindle sharply throughout 2024, reaching near-zero levels by 2025 as OLED technology takes the lead, according to TheElec.

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.

Amidst Samsung Electronics's ongoing reform of its semiconductor operations, the conglomerate has decided to concentrate on developing its power semiconductor business. This strategic move aims to capitalize on the growing trend of electric vehicle (EV) adoption, following the company's exit from the non-core LED sector.

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).

Samsung Electronics has dissolved its LED business under the Device Solutions (DS) division. However, the company will redirect related personnel towards the R&D of high-value-added next-generation panel technology such as Micro LED. Samsung is expected to actively expand its product lineup in the future.

According to recent reports, Samsung Electronics (Samsung) has suspended all construction and equipment orders for its P4 and P5 plants in Pyeongtaek and has decided to exit the LED market. South Korea-based industry personnel believe that the head of Samsung's Device Solutions (DS) division, Young Hyun Jun, may use the poor performance in the third quarter of 2024 as an opportunity to initiate significant reforms.