OLED Microdisplays

Samsung Electronics is developing a new high-end VR headset, likely aiming to release it by the end of 2024. According to reports, Samsung will integrate OLED microdisplays produced by Sony, similar 1.4" 4K displays that are used by Apple in its Vision Pro headset.

Samsung Display is developing its own OLED microdisplays, and the company is looking to bring such displays to market soon - in fact initial production will begin by the end of 2024, and full mass production will be achieved in 2026. It is not clear whether this new Sony design win means that Samsung Electronics prefers the Sony displays over SDC's, or whether it's simply a matter of Samsung Display not ready in time for mass production. 

Researchers from the Fraunhofer IPMS have developed a semi-transparent high resolution OLED microdisplay, that is significantly lighter than conventional combiner-based optical see-through near-to-eye systems. The specification of the display was not disclosed, but one can see it's a monochrome yellow panel.

The Fraunhofer researchers developed a new semi-transparent OLED-on-silicon microdisplay technology, which enabled the new display. The technology is based on modern and advanced silicon CMOS processe, applied to silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers. The new wafer technology can be used to implement very thin circuitry layers. With the help of a specific IC design and an appropriate transfe-to-glass process flow, the transparent OLEDs were enabled.

OLED microdisplay developer Seeya Technology announced that it is starting to build its second OLED microdisplay production line, in Shanghai. The company will start to move in and install the production equipment next month.

The new production line will have a monthly capacity of 9,000 300 mm substrates, similar to the company's first line which is already in mass production. The total cost of the new fab is expected to reach 2 billion Yuan (around $275 million USD).

OLED lighting developer OLEDWorks announced that it has been awarded a $8.6 million US army project to develop high-performance OLED microdisplays for consumer and defense applications. The display is targeted specifically towards head-mounted display applications in the AR and VR markets.

OLEDWorks says that its microdisplay platform offers high brightness, full color, and excellent lifetime. The company says that it is developing three OLED microdisplay products. The company's displays are based on OLEDWorks' proprietary multi-stack (3, 4, and 5-stacks) OLED technology to OLED microdisplays.

In 2022, Samsung Display confirmed it is developing OLED microdisplays, and the company has since stepped up its efforts to bring OLED microdisplay to the market. SDC's CEO said that the OLED microdisplay market will 'mature' in 3-4 years, meaning that it is likely that demand for such solutions will drastically increase, and the technology and production will be able to meet this demand.

Samsung itself plans to ensure that it does not fall behind in the race to develop next-gen OLED microdisplays, and will invest and deploy manpower to become a leading supplier. Samsung's $218 million acquisition of US-based eMagin is part of the company's strategy.

China-based display IC developer Tianyi Micro announced a strategic cooperation with Israel-based foundry Tower Semiconductor, to develop next-generation OLED microdisplay backplanes.

The new driver ICs will be based on Tower’s unique 180nm and 65nm dedicated micro display backplane process flows, supporting current-driven (as opposed to voltage-driven) OLED pixel designs. 

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Shanghai-based OLED microdisplay maker Lumicore announced that it has closed its series-A funding round, raising $100 million. Lumicore will use the funds to ramp-up its 8-inch production line in Nanjing, and introduce its first products to market.

Lumicore developed several OLED microdisplays, including a 2K 144Hz 1.32" display.  The company is also developing 4K microdisplays.

China-based OLED microdisplay developer Lakeside Optoelectronics (also known as Lakeside Lightning Semiconductor) announced that it is progressing with its 12-inch OLED microdisplay production line project in Yixing (Wuxi). The building itself is nearly complete, with the last floor concrete poured in. 

The new fab will have a capacity of 7,000 monthly 12-inch substrates, and should enter production in October 2025. The company also plans a 2nd phase which will double its capacity and enable it to produce around 10 million OLED microdisplays per year.