China makers expect to see their small- to medium-size panel shipments increase 12.9% in the second half of 2014 compared to the first half of the year, according to Digitimes Research.The rise will represent a 13.5% on-year increase.
BOE is expanding production of small- to medium-size panels on its 6G line and has also began producing the panels on its 8.5G line. Tianma Optoelectronics meanwhile has a 5.5G line in Xiamen and another 5G line producing small- to medium-size panels, with supply going mostly to China.
Digitimes Research said smartphone and tablet panel demand in China has continued to increase, and that makers are now seeing steady orders for vehicle and commercial displays. However, handset displays will still make up 76% of China makers' small- to medium-size panel shipments in the second half of 2014, up 16.4% compared to the first half and up 9.6% on year.
Tablet panels meanwhile currently hold a 10% share of the makers' small- to medium-size panel shipments, with roughly 80% of orders coming from white-box vendors and Samsung Electronics, analyzed Digitimes Research.