Sanan Optoelectronics has secured a critical role in Samsung Display's microLED smartwatch supply chain, according to industry insiders, marking another milestone in its consistent progress with microLED technology.

As the global display market rapidly shifts towards OLED technology, South Korea's two major panel manufacturers, Samsung Display (SDC) and LG Display (LGD), are accelerating their efforts to enhance technological capabilities and expand their market presence.

China's display giant BOE has completed its 11th board election, marking the start of a succession process for the company valued at over CNY160 billion (US$22 billion). At 60 years old, Chairman Yanshun Chen will retain his role but is transferring the CEO position to Qiang Feng, signaling a generational transition.

As AI embraces rapid developments, the future of AI-driven lifestyles will rely heavily on display technology. According to Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), display technology is becoming integral to three key AI edge devices: TVs, AR/VR glasses, and smart cockpits. Leveraging the technological advantages of Micro LED, the emerging era of "AI of Things" (AIoT) is set to position Taiwan's display and sensor industries at the forefront of a new market.

Apple's 2024 decision to halt Micro LED smartwatch development drew significant attention and cast doubt on the technology's future. However, CES 2025 demonstrated Micro LED's resilience, with companies unveiling innovations and products that highlight its ongoing growth.

Boosted by the rising demand for automotive LEDs and invisible light LEDs, the leading LED packaging company Everlight Electronics delivered impressive results for 2024. Despite challenges such as a high growth baseline and uncertainties in the global market, Everlight is optimistic about market recovery becoming clearer by March. Growth in invisible light LEDs is projected to outperform the industry average, and while the share of power semiconductors remains relatively small, it is expected to become a significant driver of growth. The company anticipates stable gross margins heading into 2025.

Lextar Electronics has disclosed its collaboration with European automotive brands to develop smart vehicle miniLED displays, with mass production expected to begin in the next two to three years.

LG Display is reportedly planning to adjust its production line configuration by converting its iPad OLED panel production lines to manufacture iPhone OLED panels. This decision comes in response to lower-than-expected iPad Pro demand, according to The Elec.

Laster and Excellence Optoelectronics (Excellence), the Taiwan-based LED automotive module manufacturers, have posted record-breaking revenues for 2024, with year-over-year growth rates of 10.2% and 28.2%, respectively. In response to the global trend of diversifying automotive supply chains, Laster plans to collaborate with Taiwan-based manufacturers in Thailand and Mexico starting in 2025. Meanwhile, Excellence is accelerating the construction of its plant in Mexico, which is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2025, with production scheduled to begin in 2026.

Taiwan's LED pioneer, Ennostar, made its CES debut at CES 2025, unveiling cutting-edge matrix Mini RGB LED displays. The technology features an impressive brightness of 5,000 nits, ensuring crystal-clear visibility even under intense sunlight, making it ideal for automotive driving environments.

Innolux unveiled its next-generation microLED and miniLED display innovations at CES 2025, including the "106-inch AM-micro LED seamless display module" and the debut of the "9.6-inch micro LED Smart Mirror." The showcase also featured the latest "17.3-inch and 23.8-inch mini LED outdoor displays," emphasizing a bold vision for transforming visual experiences.

At this year's CES, TCL held a press conference showcasing its latest QLED TV product line and introducing a new generation of Mini LED display technology. In the mobile device sector, the company unveiled its latest mobile display technologies and 5G smartphone products.

LED manufacturer Ennostar achieved its third-highest annual revenue of NT$24.39 billion (US$772.5 million) in 2024, representing a year-over-year increase of 9.3%. However, the company maintains a cautious stance due to uncertain industry conditions and limited order visibility for the first quarter of 2025.

Mini LED backlight televisions are gaining momentum in China, with penetration rates exceeding 10%. These TVs have emerged as standout products under China's "trade-in" subsidy program, propelled by production cost reductions that have broadened their appeal in the mid-range market. Hisense has solidified its leadership position, benefiting from this growing trend.

Despite setbacks such as low demand in the end-user market, price slashing in the automotive market, and sluggishness during the traditional peak season for the consumer electronics industry, Taiwanese LED firms have actively sought growth momentum in 2024 by shifting more toward high-value product lines.

AUO and its subsidiary BHTC will showcase a smart cockpit at CES 2025, under the theme "Infinite Future, Unlimited Possibilities." They will debut a groundbreaking seamless integration of Micro LED transparent displays, into a large Virtual Sky Canopy and the XR Interactive Window that features multiple functions including touch and sensing capabilities.

Honda and the financially troubled Nissan have announced plans to merge, with Mitsubishi Motors expected to decide on its participation within the month. While speculation suggests the Honda-Nissan merger talks aim to prevent Foxconn from gaining involvement with Nissan, past acquisitions involving Japanese corporations have yielded mixed results, potentially influencing the outcome of this proposed merger.

The global display panel industry is currently experiencing a significant turning point as production lines transition into a phase of replacement and adjustment. Has the closure of outdated factories become a "necessary pain" for the display industry to transition toward transformation and upgrading?

In 2024, the optoelectronics industry faced challenging market conditions. Despite this, OLED panels are expanding from smartphones into tablets, PCs, and other IT products, driving investments from major players. Microdisplays, automotive panels, and glass substrates are also gaining traction, with competition expected to intensify post-2025.

Despite the rebound in LCD demand driving panel manufacturers' utilization rates, the weak demand for OLED TVs is expected to hinder improvements in utilization rates for OLED panel factories during the first half of 2024. Analysts suggest that the display industry has entered a growth cycle dominated by IT OLEDs, and with the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) promoting low-power trends, OLED growth is still anticipated to continue.

According to Theelec, Samsung Display has begun selling off LCD equipment through Samsung C&T starting November 2024, following its complete exit from the LCD business in 2022 and subsequent transition to OLED display production. The sale includes automatic packaging, cutting and cleaning machines, and a transportation system from its L8 factory, with some equipment already dismantled as of November.

In a strategic move to diversify its display supply chain, Apple has selected Tianma Microelectronics to provide 7-inch LCD panels for its upcoming screen-equipped HomePod, scheduled for release in 2025. The Chinese manufacturer secured the contract with an aggressive pricing of US$10 per unit, which industry observers note is exceptionally competitive even among Chinese suppliers.

The patent dispute between Samsung Display (SDC) and BOE has intensified, with each company initiating lawsuits in the US and China. Meanwhile, the geopolitical climate, especially the tensions between the US and China, further complicates this industry rivalry and may affect panels' supply chain and pricing dynamics.

LG Display (LGD) and Samsung Display (SDC) dominate high-end OLED technology, but their reliance on Apple orders faces pressure from cheaper Chinese OLED panels supplied to local IT firms.

Macroblock, a leading LED driver IC manufacturer, has successfully entered China's electric vehicle (EV) supply chain in 2024. With its automotive product line steadily advancing, the company anticipates 2025 as a breakout year, marking a significant revenue increase.