TFT-LCD modules holding the line despite OLED’s ascendancy | Global Sources
by Vianie Li & Cecile de Veyra
A 1980s technology, TFT-LCD modules continue to front various consumer electronics such as TVs, mobile phones, tablet, notebook and desktop PCs, and gaming devices. They also remain ubiquitous in instrument panels in the automotive industry, and medical and navigation equipment. Their OLED rival, while popular in wearables and a high-end differentiator in flagship devices, will not change that anytime soon due to the cost barrier.
In a Q&A article by Rodney Chan on DigiTimes, Andrew Beck, worldwide commercial operations director at Corning's display business unit, said: “I think from an LCD standpoint, the LCD manufacturing base is just so big, and has managed to drag down to such low costs that even though other impressive display technologies are popping up – whether it's OLED, or QD-OLED, or microLED – the cost basis of LCD is just so incredibly low, based on so many years of experience, that I think it will continue to have quite a bit of staying power for years to come. Even though certainly at the high end, some of these other applications will start to make a little bit of space for themselves. But it's hard to imagine any vast shift away from LCD technology. It's remained so versatile, capable of competing against these other technologies.”
TFT-LCD modules ended 2020 with a total production value of $131.5 billion, according to IHS Markit. China, which raked in $65.75 billion of that in 2020, enjoyed a modest 5 percent rise the following year and is forecast to maintain this rate of increase through 2023. In the 3 to 10in category, a similar trend in sales is expected in China’s TFT-LCD module sector but likely not to exceed 5 percent due to OLED’s rising adoption, especially in smartphones. Globally, TFT-LCD modules dominate in the entry-level and midrange phone segments, but their OLED counterparts have more than 50 percent share of the total handhelds market based on shipments.
Most Chinese display manufacturers have no plans to increase their LCM production in the near term, according to suppliers interviewed by Global Sources. Still, a few are taking the path less traveled. Shenzhen Zhunyi Technology Co. Ltd boosted output by 10 percent in 2021 and is doing so again this year and in 2023. It spent $0.735 million to add 1,500sqm to its factory area and purchase advanced production equipment. Shenzhen LCD Mall Ltd, meanwhile, raised its yield by 20 percent in 2021 after investing $1 million in fully automatic production lines.
There are more than 500 suppliers of 3 to 10in TFT-LCD modules in China, nearly 70 percent of which are homegrown enterprises. All, including foreign-invested companies, offer other sizes too.
Chinese manufacturers continue to turn out STN LCD variants, with some able to produce LCD panels as well. Many have also ventured into OLED displays. Most ship between 30 and 80 percent of products to Europe, North and South America, the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East from factories located in Shenzhen, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Xiamen, Suzhou, Changzhou and Ningbo. They are confident that exports will rise by about 5 percent in the next one or two years.
Mainstream TFT LCMs
Display manufacturers in China offer 3 to 10in TFT-LCD modules, with those in sizes of 4.3, 5.5, 7 and 10.1in widely used in smartphones, tablets, laptops and smart home devices representing the bulk of shipments.
These optoelectronic components use white LED backlighting, and are available in resolutions of 480x272dpi, 800x600dpi, 1024x768dpi, 1280x800dpi, 1280x1024dpi and 1600x1200dpi. They typically have a color gamut of 16.7 million, luminance or brightness of 300 to 350cd/sqm, viewing direction of 6 or 12 o’clock or full, and an operating temperature range of -20 to 70 C. Versions with or without a touch panel are available.
Key materials and components used in the production of TFT-LCD modules are filters, polarizers, films, liquid crystal, ICs and backlights. ICs may be purchased from foreign or domestic companies, depending on customers’ requirements. The rest of the inputs usually come from Chinese suppliers.
Material and component costs rose slightly in 2021, but the majority of display companies in China kept their product prices unchanged to attract more orders. It remains to be seen if outlay for manufacturing inputs and labor will stabilize before the end of 2022.
10.1in, 1280x800 dots
The XTPTA1RR00-11 from Dongguan Xuding Electronics Technology Co. Ltd is a 10.1in TFT-LCD module that renders in 1280x800-dot resolution and can be viewed from all directions. This normally black unit, with an RGB vertical stripe display and a capacitive touch panel, measures 229.46x149.1x4.2mm. Its active area is 216.96x135.6mm. Order quantity is negotiable. Delivery takes seven days.
4.3in, 480x272 dots
Shenzhen LCD Mall Ltd offers the LM043HWQ11HG-DC01 4.3in TFT-LCD module with 480x272-dot resolution, 16.7 million colors and a full viewing direction. This 105.5x71.2x4.66mm unit, with an active area of 95.04x53.86mm, uses an ST7283 driver IC. The 100-unit minimum order is for delivery within 10 days.
4.3in, 300cd/sqm
From Shenzhen Wu He Tian Cheng Technology Co. Ltd, the W043P40S1RN-XX-XX TFT-LCD module has 480x272 RGB resolution, 300cd/sqm brightness, 16.7 million colors and 12 o’clock viewing direction. This 4.3in unit, with 3.3V input voltage, uses an ST7282/6485 driver IC and a 50-pin RGB signal interface. Its operating temperature is -20 to 70 C. A minimum order of five units is for delivery within three days.
7in, 600x1024 dots
This 7in IPS TFT-LCD module from Shenzhen Zhunyi Technology Co. Ltd, the Z70027, renders in 600x1024 dots and has a MIPI. It measures 95x163.2x2.6mm, with the active area in 89.28x152.37mm. Operating temperature is -10 to 50 C. Order quantity is negotiable. Lead time is seven days.
