OLED is a next-generation display technology that is replacing LCD displays in several markets, such as small displays for mobile applications, TVs and microdisplays. OLEDs are made from thin films of organic light emitting materials that emit light when electricity is applied. OLEDs have a much simpler structure compared to LCDs and have several advantages over the incumbent technology.
eMagin XGA096 OLED-XL
OLED microdisplays
OLED microdisplays are considered to be the current state-of-the-art near-eye display technology. OLEDs offer many advantages over competing technologies:
- No backlight - a direct emissive display with high contrast and a wide color gamut
- Fast refresh rate
- Low power consumption (this depends on the image shown)
- Wide operation temperature range
OLEDs do suffer from lower lifetime, limited market capacity, high price. Many believe that microLEDs will offer the ultimate solution for microdisplays, with their inherent high brightness and efficiency, but these displays are not commercial yet.
The OLED Microdisplay market
Several companies in the US, Europe and Asia are producing OLED microdisplays - including eMagin, Sony, OLiGHTEK, Kopin, BOE and SeeYa.
If you're interested in adopting OLED microdisplays in your device, we'll be happy to help, you can browse available display in our OLED marketplace. Be sure to send us a mail and together we can find the best display for your project.
OLED-Info's OLED and MicroLED Microdisplay Market Report
If you want more in-depth information on the OLED (and MicroLED) Microdisplay market, look no further! Our OLED and MicroLED Microdisplay Market Report explains:
- Why OLED microdisplays are better than LCD or DLP ones
- The disadvantages of OLED microdisplays
- What kind of displays are available on the market today
- New technologies on the horizon, including MicroLED microdisplays
The report package also provides a complete list of OLED and microLED microdisplay makers and developers, their current (and future) products, and personal contact details into the leading microdisplay makers. Read more here!
The latest OLED microdisplays news:
Reports suggest that Meta is in talks with Samsung and LG regarding the supply of OLED and microLED microdisplays
Reports from Korea suggest that Meta (Facebook) is in talks with both Samsung Display and LG Display, regarding the supply of OLED microdisplays and microLED microdisplays for its future AR and VR glasses.
According to the reports, dozens of executives from Meta have met with executives from LG Display and Samsung Display, and the discussions are still ongoing. According to other reports, Meta plans to use OLED displays in its upcoming VR glasses, and MicroLEDs in AR glasses that will hit the market at around 2026.
KT&T developed a full-color OLED microdisplay with a brightness of 12,000 nits
KT&T, established in 2020 as a spin-off from INT Tech with an investment of $143 million, has developed an OLED microdisplay that achieved a brightness of 12,000 nits, which is the highest brightness OLED microdisplay ever developed.
The new panel is based on KT&T's own uNEEDXR technology, which is a direct-emission (no color filters) design. The display achieves very high brightness and high efficiency.
eMagin reports its Q3 2022 preliminary financial results
OLED microdisplay maker eMagin reported its preliminary financial results for Q3 2022, with revenues in the range of $7.4 to $7.6 million, an increase of 28%-31% from last year.
eMagin says it sees strong demand in the military market, increased revenue from medical customers and also increased R&D contract revenues.
OLED Microdisplays in China - industry snapshot October 2022
The OLED Microdisplay industry is enjoying increased interest in the last few years, as the world's leading device makers (led by Apple, Facebook, Sony, Google, Samsung and others) are all developing next-generation VR and AR devices that are based on high-end microdisplays. OLED is regarded as the most fitting technology to power these next-generation devices.
Up until a few years ago, there was only a handful of companies that developed and produced microdisplays - led by eMagin, Sony, OLiGHTEK and MicroOLED, and the combined production volume was very limited, as applications were mostly in the defense, medical and high-end cameras sectors. But the increased demand spawned many more companies, some of which have already started to sell displays in the market, which expanded the global supply dramatically.
OLED Microdisplays - recent industry news, October 2022
The OLED microdisplay industry is enjoying high demand, and over the past years we have seen several new producers join the market, and new projects and developments. Here are some of the latest OLED microdisplay related industry news:
- Samsung is testing eMagin's direct patterning technology for its future OLED microdisplays
- LG Display and SK Hynix to collaborate on OLED microdisplay production
- Samsung Display aims to start producing OLED microdisplays by 2024
- LG Display: OLED will be the main display technology for future AR and VR devices
- Qualcomm unveils a new AR HMD reference design powered by Seeya OLED microdisplays
- APS to build a a 3000 PPI OLED microdisplay R&D production line
- BCDTEK sets out to construct a $970 million 12-inch OLED microdisplay fab in Huainan
- DSCC: Apple's first VR headset will sport two OLED microdisplays and an additional AMOLED
- Reports say Meta is working on a microOLED display powered VRR headset
- On Sidtek's OLED microdisplays status and plans
- DSCC: AMOLEDs and OLED microdisplays to re-enter the VR market in 2023-2024
- Kopin received new orders and new customers for its OLED microdisplays and backplanes
- SNU Precision to launch a direct emission OLED microdisplay deposition tool
- Important things to keep in mind when designing an OLED micro-display project
- On Seeya's OLED microdisplays status and plans
A new version of our OLED and MicroLED Microdisplay Market report released
Today we published a new edition of our OLED and MicroLED Microdisplays Market Report, with all the latest information. The new edition includes more than 12 new updates, new companies, new datasheets and revamped sections on Samsung, LG Display, Sony, MICLEDI, BOE and more.
Reading this report, you'll learn all about:
- The advantages of OLED and MicroLED microdisplays
- The microdisplays that are available on the market today
- Information on all companies involved in this market
- Future technologies and roadmaps
The report package also provides:
- A list of all OLED microdisplays on the market
- A list of all OLED and MicroLED microdisplays makers
- Microdisplays spreadsheet (premium edition)
- Over 25 datasheets, presentations (premium edition)
- Free updates for a year
This microdisplays market report provides a great introduction to OLED and MicroLED microdisplays, and covers everything you need to know about the current status of the market and industry. This is a great guide if you're considering to adopt OLED microdisplays in your product, if you're looking to learn more about next-generation micro-LEDs and if you want to understand this industry better.
Samsung is looking into eMagin's direct patterning technology for its 2nd-gen OLED microdisplays
Samsung Display has recently launched an OLED microdisplay project, hoping to supply displays to Apple and other AR developers. Samsung is still at an early stage of development, aiming to start producing displays by 2024, with limited capacity.
SDC's first generation displays will adopt a WOLED-CF architecture, which uses a white OLED emission layer with color filters. This is the same design used by almost all OLED microdisplay developers, but one that seriously reduces the brightness and efficiency of the display.
LG Display: OLED will be the main display technology for future AR and VR devices
Yang Joon-Young, a VP at LG Display, says that recent improvement in OLED technologies will cause an industry shift from LCoS devices to OLED microdisplays in AR systems. LCoS will find a market in low-cost AR headsets, but most AR solutions will be based on OLEDs.
Next-generation VR systems, which will require higher pixel densities, will also switch from LCD and mobile AMOLED displays to OLED microdisplays that will offer pixel densities of over 3000 PPI.
Samsung Display aims to mass produce OLED microdisplays by 2024, full commeriability by 2026
Last month Samsung Display confirmed it is developing OLED microdisplays, and now the company provides more details on its plans.
Samsung admits it is still at an early stage of development, and it says it will start building its first line (with likely limited capacity) in 2023. By 2024 it will mass produce displays, and in 2025 it will expand capacity so that by 2026 it will achieve full commercialization.
Samsung Display's CEO confirms plans for a 8-Gen IT OLED production line, to begin operations in 2024
Samsung Display's CEO Choi Joo-sun says that the company sees a great potential for OLED displays in the IT market (mainly notebook and monitor displays), and that Samsung is building a new 8-Gen (2200x2500 mm) which will begin production in 2024. The glass efficiency at 8-Gen (uncut glass) will be 20% higher compared to Samsung's 6-Gen lines.
This new fab was already reported last year, but this is the first time we officially hear a commitment from SDC. According to DSCC, there are over 10 8.5-Gen OLED lines under consideration now in the industry, as demand for OLED panels for laptops, tablets and monitors is o the rise. Samsung is the current leader in OLED IT displays.