China hosts the world's largest display panel capacity, pulling upstream suppliers into an increasingly concentrated ecosystem. In polarizers, a string of acquisitions has pushed China to the top globally, with Shanjin Optoelectronics and Hong Kong Heng Mei Group forming a clear duopoly.

South Korean IC design house Sapien Semiconductor is emerging as a disruptor in the global smart glasses supply chain, after reports that it will supply display backplanes for Meta's next-generation augmented reality (AR) glasses, a development that could loosen China's long-standing grip on key micro-display components.

Based on estimates from third-party market research firms, small- and medium-sized panel maker HannStar Display stated that the 2026 panel market is expected to be relatively stable, with annual growth of around 2–3% and no major fluctuations. However, recent sharp increases in memory prices and tight supply have crowded out resources across the broader electronics industry, which could further affect panel demand, especially in notebooks and smartphones.

China's BOE Technology is rapidly advancing its 8.6-generation IT OLED production, signaling an aggressive push to close the gap with South Korean rivals. Reports indicate the company has begun procuring equipment for the second phase of its B16 production line, including the third and fourth lines, marking a strategic acceleration in scaling manufacturing capacity.

The Taipei Computer Association (TCA), which organizes the influential Computex tradeshow—one of Asia's largest technology exhibitions—is set to elect a new chairman on December 17, 2025, with Acer chairman Jason Chen emerging as the frontrunner. Chen is positioned to replace Paul Peng, who is stepping down after six years leading the influential industry body.

As 2025 draws to a close, the LCD TV panel market is showing unexpected resilience. Despite the industry's traditional fourth-quarter slowdown, panel prices have stabilized in December, buoyed by TV brands accelerating procurement ahead of a projected demand boost in early 2026, particularly in anticipation of major global sports events. With prices widely believed to have bottomed out, the resulting stock-up cycle is pushing factory utilization higher and building upward pressure on panel pricing.

As display technology continues to advance, Micro LED has emerged as the next star after LCD and OLED—drawing intense interest and investment from panel makers worldwide.

IRIS Optronics, a provider of full-color cholesterol liquid crystal display technology, has collaborated with a Japanese electric power company to present smart utility pole displays using full-color electronic paper for the first time in Japan. The demonstration took place along major streets in Hachioji City and the Takao Mountain area.

China's BOE Technology has reportedly secured the largest share of display orders for Apple Inc.'s upcoming budget model, the iPhone 17e, even as South Korean rivals Samsung Display and LG Display maintain near-total dominance over the flagship iPhone 17 series, according to South Korean industry media.

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.

As China's Singles' Day TV sales fell short of expectations, international brands have increased early procurement ahead of major 2026 sports events, supporting stable LCD TV panel prices in November and suggesting steady or slightly rising prices in December.

Even though economic uncertainties have clouded the automotive market in 2025, LED makers Advanced Optoelectronic Technology (AOT) and Epileds Technologies are aggressively pursuing growth in automotive LED applications. AOT expects overall operations to improve in 2026, fueled by rising shares of high-margin mini LEDs for vehicles and AR/VR optical modules. Meanwhile, Epileds projects a 20% year-over-year increase in automotive LED revenue for 2025, banking on growing market demand and customer loyalty as key growth drivers.

Samsung Display (SDC) is preparing to reposition Vietnam's Bac Ninh Province as a core base for its next-generation OLED business under a plan that shifts the facility from a general production site to a center for high-value display technologies. The blueprint was outlined during a November 24 meeting between Bac Ninh People's Committee chairman Pham Hoang Son and SDC Vietnam executive director Kang Ui-sik, according to local outlet Cafe Land and Korean media G-enews.

Geopolitical tensions and regional conflicts have heightened attention on the defense industry. Taiwan-based PowerView Display (PVD), leveraging its expertise in military-grade display technology and international patent portfolio, has developed a night vision imaging system (NVIS) LCD module poised to enter the US military supply chain.

OLED has yet to secure a meaningful foothold in the large-sized automotive display market, where stringent performance requirements and cost pressures keep LCDs firmly in the lead. Despite years of development, industry forecasts suggest OLED penetration will remain limited in the near term, with South Korean manufacturers shipping only modest volumes in 2025.

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.

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.

TCL CSOT began mass production of 21.6-inch inkjet-printed OLED medical monitor panels in November 2025 and is expanding the technology to notebooks and tablets, while Samsung and LG are cautiously evaluating its market potential.

Samsung Display (SDC) recently declared its commitment to ensuring the profitability of its 8.6-generation IT-use OLED line A6, aiming to reach a level that competitors cannot match. According to South Korean media, including The Elec and Money Today, SDC president Cheong Lee emphasized five key business engines during D-Talks: foldable panels, IT, automotive, monitors, and XR OLEDoS. He pledged to expand competitiveness based on technological barriers.

The global display panel market is forecast to expand to US$131.5 billion by 2026, despite significant changes in the industry landscape. While overall output and value are rising, the growing adoption of OLED technology is exerting pressure on high-end LCD segments, particularly in Taiwan, where the display sector remains heavily reliant on LCD production and is reorienting its strategies.

Chinese panel maker Visionox's 8.6-generation OLED production line is reportedly set to bring in several types of South Korean equipment, including machinery related to flexible OLED panels used in smartphones and other mobile devices. According to ET News, citing data from the China Government Procurement Network, South Korean equipment companies AP Systems, ICD, and Synus Tech have all been selected for Visionox's 8.6-generation equipment procurement tender list.