A global memory shortage linked to rising AI infrastructure spending has upended TV manufacturing economics, with semiconductor costs now overtaking display panels in some models. The shift, reported by ET News, could squeeze profitability at major TV makers including Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics.
South Korea's major semiconductor, display, and electronics parts factories are staying open through the Chuseok holiday as AI-driven memory demand and new Apple iPhone panel production keep lines running. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are continuing output at key plants, while display and MLCC makers are also maintaining round-the-clock operations.
The global automotive display market is entering a new phase of growth, with demand shifting away from central consoles and instrument clusters toward niche applications such as head-up displays (HUDs) and front-passenger entertainment panels. DIGITIMES Intelligence analyst Jason Yang said the global automotive display shipment compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is expected to reach only about 2.4% from 2026 to 2031, but HUDs and entertainment panels will grow 14.4% and 17.9%, respectively.
Samsung Display is evaluating a new manufacturing process known as halftone black pixel definition layer (PDL) that could streamline the production of its OLED panels, industry sources disclosed to The ELEC on September 22. By integrating two separate manufacturing steps into a single photolithography process, the display maker aims to reduce costs and boost efficiency for upcoming flagship devices.
Facing aggressive expansion by Chinese competitors, Samsung Display (SDC) president and Korea Display Industry Association (KDIA) chairman Chung Yi expressed strong confidence in SDC's foldable panel capabilities. However, he warned that rival nations are funneling funds and expertise gained during the LCD era into OLED development. He called on South Korea to unite industry, government, academia, and research sectors to prevent a repeat of the loss of market leadership that occurred in the LCD industry.
China's PC monitor market is entering a period of sharper structural divergence, with commercial demand offsetting part of a weakening consumer segment while rising component costs push manufacturers toward higher-value products.
Samsung Electronics will reportedly slash quantum-dot (QD) LCD TV production in 2026 to 2 million to 3 million units, down as much as 80% year-over-year, while it also plans to gradually scale back Neo QLED output and potentially stop production as early as 2028. The move shifts the company's LCD TV focus toward Mini LED models without QD.
Suppliers in China's AR glasses supply chain see the approximately 2 billion people worldwide with myopia as a potential market and said shipments are set to double year after year, even as the industry continues to sift winners from losers. At this year's China International Optoelectronic Exposition (CIOE), smart glasses remained a standout theme alongside optical communications.
