Despite Taiwan makers lagging behind Korea and Japan in TFT LCD and AMOLED panel technologies, the makers have advantages for producing PMOLED and EPD products used in wearable devices.
According to Digitimes Research, Taiwan makers have a number of old fabs that have been converted to producing the two technologies, and have been strengthening their R&D efforts for use in smartwatches and smart wristbands.
China makers on the other hand have focused on TFT LCD expansion while Korea makers are pushing AMOLED. Taiwan makers such as AU Optronics (AUO) are pushing LTPS TFT LCD and AMOLED efforts but are relatively behind, and need other technologies to compete in the wearables segment.
Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT) and HannStar Display meanwhile are promoting Open Cell products to white-box wearable vendors in China in a bid to maintain their presence in the segment, Digitimes Research found.
In terms of EPD solutions, these are mainly used in niche products and Hydis will continue to act as the main producer of the technology while also pushing PMOLED solutions.