Apple launched a tablet product with a focus on AMOLED screens at its May new product launch event. The new Pro version of the AMOLED screen adopts a double-layer series structure, aiming to improve the long-standing issues of screen burning and lifespan of AMOLED screens. The advantage of not requiring a backlight module also ushers in the thinnest tablet product in history.

In addition, due to chip upgrades and the use of double-layer AMOLED panels and other specifications, the terminal price will also increase. The price of the new generation iPad Pro has increased by $200 compared to the previous generation, and the iPad Air has also launched a 13 inch product, which may also squeeze out potential demand due to scattered firepower. Therefore, TrendForce Consulting estimates that the total shipment volume of AMOLED iPad Pro 11 inch and 13 inch in 2024 is only 4.5 to 5 million units.

TrendForce Consulting further explained that based on the shipment volume of AMOLED iPad Pro, the scale of the iPad Pro series has converged compared to the past. However, the introduction of AMOLED panels into the iPad Pro series signifies a new milestone in the development of AMOLED technology towards mid size panels. It is expected that by 2024, the overall shipment of AMOLED tablets will be approximately 9 million units, accounting for approximately 7% of the overall tablet market.

The Key to Expanding AMOLED Technology into IT Products

When it comes to AMOLED screen products in the early days, although the high contrast and bright colors are really eye-catching, they have been criticized for their performance and lifespan issues. In addition, the larger size of IT products, the more obvious impact on power consumption. In order to meet the requirements of application specifications and expand the market, improving the performance and lifespan of AMOLED can be divided into several key directions.

Firstly, improving material stability. In the development of blue luminescent materials, due to their relatively low efficiency and stability, the further development and application of AMOLED technology are greatly limited. With the development of new materials and the upcoming commercialization of blue phosphorescence, there is an opportunity to significantly improve overall performance.

Secondly, the introduction of new technologies, TFT importing low-temperature polycrystalline silicon oxide (LTPO), effectively controls leakage, achieves dynamic refresh rate requirements, and saves power consumption by 15-20%; Using Tandem technology to series connect light-emitting layers, compared to single-layer, double-layer devices achieve a current density of 1/2 of the same brightness as single-layer devices, and their lifespan can be at least doubled.

Thirdly, with the addition of higher generation factories, in order to effectively reduce costs and expand AMOLED's market penetration, panel factories have recently proposed plans for higher generation production lines to achieve more effective economic cutting. With the release of production capacity after 2026 and the effective improvement of yield, the IT application market will be further expanded.

Tandem technology expands application penetration rate

TrendForce Consulting stated that before significant breakthroughs in material efficiency, Tandem technology provided an immediate solution for performance and lifespan. In addition to the Tandem of RGB AMOLED, WOLED vertically stacks blue, yellow, and green AMOLED light sources to produce white light, while QD OLED stacks blue AMOLED as the light source and places quantum dot materials on top that can produce red and green light, both of which can effectively improve photoelectric conversion efficiency and luminous brightness.

The high brightness and high efficiency characteristics of this superposition make it more suitable for a wider range of application fields. In addition to mobile phone and TV displays, Tandem technology can also be applied to fields such as head mounted display devices and automotive intelligent display screens, providing consumers with a higher quality and diversified display experience. Due to the relatively complex manufacturing process of Tandem AMOLED, precise control of the layer thickness and stacking order of multiple different materials is required to maintain optical and luminous uniformity. Especially when it comes to G8.7 foundries, improving yield and optimizing costs will be important issues to face in the future.

The production capacity layout of the older generation will be beneficial for future market penetration rate

In terms of laying out the next-generation AMOLED panel line, Samsung and BOE are currently making rapid progress. They plan to reduce weight by adding a thin glass substrate and thin film packaging of Hybrid AMOLED, while using Tokki and Sunic's machines for vapor deposition. They plan to have a certain production scale from 2026 to 2027 to meet the brand's demand for AMOLED display screens in tablet and laptop products. Relevant supply chains such as DNP and Poongwon Precision have also begun planning for the mass production of next-generation FMMs.

In addition, Vicino's production plan for ViP lithography pixel technology and CSOT's current progress in improving yield on the G5.5 IJP-OLED production line, as well as production plans, are also worth paying attention to the potential trends of the non FMM camp. In summary, TrendForce Consulting believes that the next few years will be a critical period for increasing the penetration rate of AMOLED IT products. The improvement and optimization of technical capabilities will drive AMOLED displays to upgrade towards more advanced and higher value-