HMO

In recent years, the main focus of the OLED industry was on reducing power consumption. OLED developers introduced several novel technologies, including new backplanes, materials and device architectures, to increase device and system efficiency.

This article looks into the potential pressure that the acceleration of on-device AI (locally running AI engines as opposed cloud-based AI) will have on OLED developers to reduce the power consumption even further, especially within the laptop segment, and adopt novel next-gen technologies.

The display backplane is the grid of thin-film transistors (TFTs) sitting behind the pixels, switching and feeding each one. It is one of the major constraint on what an OLED display can do, and is also the component that actually consumes (or wastes, really) most of the energy, more than the OLED emitters themselves.

This article is the first in a new seven-part series that will offer a practical guide to the backplane technologies of today, and of the future. Across the parts we explain how each one works, how it is manufactured, which products use it, and where its roadmap is heading. The journey runs from the simplest displays of all to the most advanced backplane in development today:

• Part 1: Introduction to the series, and PMOLED (the backplane-free OLED).
• Part 2: a-Si: the backplane that built the LCD industry but could never power OLEDs.
• Part 3: LTPS: the laser-crystallized silicon that finally drove OLED.
• Part 4: Oxide TFT (IGZO): the scalable, low-power newcomer.
• Part 5: LTPO: the flagship hybrid TFT that enables VRR
• Part 6: HMO: high-mobility oxide, the future industry backplane?
• Part 7: Organic TFTs and silicon CMOS microdisplay backplanes

Last year, we reported that LG Display is looking into adopting Japan Display's eLEAP technology at its OLED TV production lines in Paju, perhaps seeking to produce RGB AMOLED displays for IT applications at these fabs that are currently under utilized. In April 2026, we reported that LG Display is progressing with this plan, and is checking an investment plan to apply eLEAP into its large-area OLED production lines.

Originally we heard that LGD plans to make a final decision on the eLEAP introduction by the end of 2026, hoping to secure Apple as a customer for these IT OLEDs. According to the latest report from China, LG Display has already ordered the required equipment - and even began installing some of the machine, that will enable it to convert its existing 8-Gen WOLED production line in Paju to eLEAP AMOLED production.

AP Systems announced that it is developing next-generation OLED mass production equipment, as it sees opportunities in the OLED sector to introduce new production technologies.

The first system the company is developing is a new Plasma Atomic Layer Deposition (PeALD) system, used for the deposition of High-Mobility Oxides (HMO) backplanes. HMO is sees as promising candidate for the next-generation OLED backplane of choice. 

Shenzhen-based HKC has finalized its IPO process, and the company's shares now trade at the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

HKC's trading code (ticker) is 001399. In the first day of trading, the company's stock jumped 315%, from 10 Yuan to 42 Yuan.

In March 2026, we reported that Japan Display (JDI) is considering constructing a display fab in the US, with support form the Japanese government - as part of a the 2025 US-Japan trade agreement. JDI later confirmed the report, and it is indeed looking into launching JDI display fabs in the US, but said nothing is final yet.

According to new reports, Japan Display's latest plan is to build an eLEAP AMOLED fab, in New York State, in collaboration with OLEDWorks. The total investment will reach $12.5 billion. JDI's new fab will mostly target high-end markets, such automotive displays and displays for the defense industry.

Last month we reported that Japan Display (JDI) is considering constructing a display fab in the US, with support form the Japanese government - as part of a the 2025 US-Japan trade agreement.

JDI now officially confirmed that the company is considering launching JDI-operated advanced display manufacturing fabs (plural!) in the US. The company says that no decision has yet been made regarding these production lines, though.

Shenzhen-based HKC is reportedly progressing with its plans to build a 6-Gen OLED production line in Mianyang, Sichuan Province, and has started to approach OLED equipment vendors, seeking more information and quotes for production equipment.

According to the reports, HKC is looking to base this new fab on equipment it has acquired from Japan Display's Mobara OLED line, but increasing the capacity and adapting the technology by using new equipment to supplement the existing JDI systems.

Last year, we reported that LG Display is looking into adopting Japan Display's eLEAP technology at its OLED TV production lines in Paju, perhaps seeking to produce RGB AMOLED displays for IT applications at these fabs that are currently under utilized.

Today we hear that LG Display is now progressing with this plan, and is checking an investment plan to apply eLEAP into its large-area OLED production lines. 

In 2025 , the US and Japan signed a trade agreement, which included a commitment by Japan to invest $550 billion directly in the US. These funds will be targeted at industries such as energy, critical minerals, pharmaceutical and medical, shipbuilding - and semiconductor manufacturing and research, with an aim to rebuild U.S. capacity from design to fabrication.

According to a new report from Japan, and as part of that trade agreement and investment commitment, the Japanese government is now looking at building a $13 billion fab in the US, that will be operated by Japan Display. In this article, we look at JDI's history and capabilities (LCD and OLED production), consider the geopolitical implications and the market that this new fab will address, speculate whether it makes sense for JDI to initiate OLED production in the US (or will it choose LCD, or perhaps even microLED), and if so - which technologies and architectures will this fab utilize?