 A model shows a 31-inch flat-panel for OLED TV developed by Samsung SDI with its AM OLED technology and LTPS manufacturing process for the first time in the industry, Thursday. / Courtesy of Samsung SDI |
By Kim Yoo-chul
Staff Reporter
Samsung SDI, a leading manufacturer of organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), is flexing its muscle with the successful development of a 31-inch flat panel ― the largest ever developed by panel makers ― for pricey OLED televisions.
Samsung SDI said Thursday that it has successfully developed the panel by using advanced active matrix organic light-emitting diode (AM OLED) technology and a low temperature poly-silicon (LTPS) manufacturing process for the first time in the world.
In 2005, Samsung Electronics' LCD division stunned the global panel industry by developing a 40-inch AM OLED panel by applying a less advanced amorphous Silicon (a-Si) process but failed to equip the panel for OLED TVs.
Despite power and life-span advantages compared to the a-Si method, the LTPS process has widely been considered a much tougher method to make larger-sized panels, resulting in wide adaptation to smaller electronic gadgets such as car navigation and high-end cell phones.
``Talks are under way to set the specific timing for mass-production but we are positive about its prospects,'' Yoo Eui-jin, vice president of Samsung SDI's AM OLED Supervision, told reporters at a press conference held in central Seoul. ``We will develop 40- and 42-inch full high-definition AM OLED panels in 2010.''
Separately, Samsung SDI plans to mass-produce 14-inch AM OLED panels probably from the first-half of next year to meet growing demand for profitable IT-related products, including notebooks.
``The suggested retail price for the 14-inch AM OLED TV is likely to be around 3 million won, when it is commercialized,'' Yoo said.
Both 31-inch and 14-inch panels will be exhibited at the Consumer Electronics Show to be held in Las Vegas from Jan. 7-10.
Industry experts say competition between Samsung Electronics' LCD division and Samsung SDI will be getting fiercer as the latter has clarified its strong will for the development of large-sized AM OLED panels.
``To create synergy in the business, one of the two should take full responsibility for the OLED sector,'' a Samsung Electronics official said, asking not to be identified.
LG.Philips LCD, the world's second largest maker of LCDs, is reportedly finalizing its acquisition talks with LG Electronics over its OLED division for higher profits.
Compared to a flat-panel LCD television with a known contrast ratio of 1,000:1 or a plasma TV with 20,000:1, an AM OLED TV is said to have more than a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio. Moreover, the displays can handle fast motion, such as the movement in video games, very smoothly.
According to iSuppli, a market research firm, OLED TV shipments are expected to reach an annual 1.2 million in 2012 from 8,000 this year.
yckim@koreatimes.co.kr
