IT demand has entered the fourth quarter off-season, but panel makers are coping by balancing supply and demand. AI demand has driven up prices for upstream materials such as memory, putting pressure on panel makers to hold the line on IT panel prices. This is especially true for mainstream monitor panels, whose quoted prices are already near total cost, making price locking a top priority.
WiseChip Semiconductor general manager Wen-Qin Ye stated that overall operations have suffered from macroeconomic conditions and tariff impacts, falling short of expectations. However, the company has stabilized operations through inventory management and strengthened organizational efficiency, while actively developing new products. By diversifying its business, the company aims to pursue profitability and hopes that new applications in 2026 will contribute to revenue.
Samsung Display has started producing OLED on Silicon panels for extended-reality devices, but the company is holding back on mass production as low yields and a still-nascent XR market limit near-term demand, according to people familiar with the matter. Analysts say the supplier is choosing to refine its microdisplay technology while waiting for the market to reach a level that can support larger volumes.
Global OLED panel makers ramped up emissive-material purchases in the third quarter of 2025, largely fueled by stronger sales of Apple's iPhone and iPad lines.
FitTech has had weak performance since 2023. It posted a net loss attributable to the parent of NT$290 million (approx. US$9.2 million) for the first three quarters of 2025, although a sharp improvement from 2024. The company has started in LED testing and is optimistic about its DFB and FEL foundry testing business in optical communications for 2026. Strong customer demand has clarified order visibility, and 2026 is expected to see multiple-fold growth. With new product layouts entering the harvesting stage, FitTech aims to turn profitable as early as the second quarter.
Kinko Optical signaled an ambitious push into space-related components and next-generation optics at an investor briefing on the 25th, with senior executives outlining plans to enter the US low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite supply chain and expand aggressively in infrared lenses, waveguides, and optical engines.
Despite concerns over growth momentum in the electronic shelf label (ESL) market as Walmart's installation project is slated to finish by 2026, E Ink Holdings remains confident about continued demand. The company highlights Walmart's deployment as a driving force behind North American retail sector adoption and expects ongoing expansion in ESL and digital signage shipments.
Data Image, Qisda Group's display subsidiary, is moving into the drone market and is preparing a new production line in Taoyuan to support growing demand. President Phil Yu said the company is developing high-brightness, ruggedized screens for drone controllers and outdoor consoles, with the line currently in trial production.
Responding to growing demand in AI and high-performance computing (HPC), Contrel's advanced packaging business is set to expand its revenue share significantly by 2026. Director Tsan-Jen Chen said the company aims for semiconductor-related sales to reach around 30% of total revenue that year, up from 2025 levels.
BOE Technology has advanced its 8.6-generation OLED production line after South Korea's Sunic System passed BOE's highest-level stability assessment for its deposition equipment, prompting BOE to proceed with Phase Two expansion for Lines 3 and 4.
Apple is reportedly set to equip its 2026 iPad mini with an OLED display for the first time, with Samsung Display slated as the exclusive supplier, according to ET News. The move is expected to support the expansion of the medium-to-large OLED segment, which has seen modest growth in recent years.
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