DisplaySearch posted an interesting blog post, in which they say that both Samsung and LG Display have decided, due to technical difficulties with OLED TV production, to put more emphasis in high-definition TVs (4K2K, or UHD), and delay OLED TV production. DisplaySearch also says that most consumers will prefer a larger and cheaper LCD TV over a high-end, slim OLED TV.
Both Samsung and LGD first unveiled their stunning 55" OLED TVs in January 2012, but they haven't managed to actually launch these TVs yet. According to the post, the yield in Samsung's and LGD's AMOLED TV fabs is still in the single digits, and even after repairing panels, the yield will be less than 30%. In addition, frit encapsulation is too fragile for large area TV, and so the panel lifetime is reduced.
DisplaySearch says they now expect both Samsung and LGD to start mass production of UHD LCDs in 2013. Full-HD OLEDs will never be produced - both companies will unveil UHD OLEDs in 2013 (LG announced their plans for such a panel back at SID 2012) and mass production will only happen in 2014. If this is true this is quite a delay in OLED TV availability, although it was always assumed that production volume in 2013 will be very low.
Back in September it was reported that Innolux has shifted their focus from OLED to 4K2K TVs. Perhaps this time the Taiwanese makers have read the map earlier than their Korean rivals.
Of course this isn't confirmed yet. We do know that LG's OLED TV has already passed FCC inspection, which probably means that LG at least intended to launch this TV soon. There were also reports that Samsung will launch new OLED TV models at CES 2013 next month - perhaps UHD ones?
Comments
It'll be interesting to see where companies go with this as they commit to different technologies. It could be the same as dvd vs blu-ray but in a screen "war". So far I'm happy with my trusty 1080p Samsung TV but when 4K rolls around it might be a different story!
Maybe they should give up on oleds for TV purposes, but they should not be giving up on OLEDS as they pertain to the advertising market. Labels, signage, packaging, etc all used to sell products. What manufacturer wouldn't want to place OLED labels on their products in stores to make consumers be drawn to them and buy them. OLEDS on signage is another whole area to excel in. Buses (exterior & interior), Subways (same idea) , venues, posters, anything anywhere. These things can be sold as before or after market accessories for bikes, cars, motorcycles. People LOVE to personalize ANYTHING, and the more "bling" the better. I woukldn'r try to emphasise TV market, but the advertising market is wide open.
If it's truth, then it's not a reason to shift focus to UHD LCD displays, but a good occasion to finally shift focus to smaller displays — 24-27" — that are both cheaper and suitable for using in monitors (for example, I personally am interested in an 24" OLED monitor far (manyfold) more than in an 55" OLED TV).