Abstract

MIC Perspective

a-Si TFT-LCD is the Dominant Technology

Recently a-Si TFT-LCD products have accounted for 39% of mobile phone panel releases. LTPS TFT-LCD products have decreased slightly, mainly due to TPO's lack of participation at FPD International 2006, which caused a decrease in LTPS TFT-LCD models in comparison with FPD International 2005. PM-OLED (Passive Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode) and CSTN-LCD products have decreased considerably, while a-Si TFT LCD has become the dominant technology. PM-OLED and CSTN-LCD could lose market share in the mid-range and value-line market segments due to a-Si TFT LCD's advantages in production and standardization.

Japanese Makers Focus on Higher Resolutions

An analysis of 50 mobile phone panels recently released by Taiwanese and Korean manufacturers reveals that 32 are QVGA, and six have resolutions higher than QVGA. This indicates that Taiwanese and Korean manufacturers are focused on QVGA, which is currently the mainstream resolution in the market. In Japan on the other hand, 44 recently released panel products included 21 QVGA and 23 with resolutions higher than QVGA. Clearly, the high resolution panel design and product development strategies of Japanese companies surpass those of Taiwanese and Korean companies.

Mobile Phone Panel Specifications to Be Improved in 2007

The large increase in wireless data transmission speeds in recent years and the growing number of 2.5G phones, 3G phones, smartphones, and TV phones on the market have transformed mobile phones from simple communication devices to mobile devices combining communications and multimedia functions. The mobile phone panel is no longer for just speaking and listening, but for viewing as well. In order to allow the richer content to be displayed more clearly and more attractively, manufacturers have increased panel size from 2.0-inch to 2.2-, 2.4-, 2.6-, and 2.8-inch, while raising resolution from QCIF (Quarter Common Intermediate Format) to QVGA, WQVGA, and VGA levels. Viewing angle, contrast ratio, brightness, color saturation, and response time have all been improved as well. Of the 94 mobile phone panels on display at FPD International 2006, over 80% had high resolutions. It is expected that the flat-screen panels on display at FPD International 2007 in Yokohama will show improved viewing angle, color saturation, and response time. Energy saving light sensor display technology is already being developed by Taiwanese, Japanese, and Korean manufacturers and has reached the commercialization stage. Due to the trend towards feature-rich phones, manufacturers are continuing to try to make phones as light and thin as possible. In addition to using super thin 0.2mm - 0.3mm glass substrates, photo sensors in the TFT array are beginning to replace externally added touch exterior touch panel finger sensing input display technology and light-pen input display technology. Companies are continuing to invest in this technology, and will continue to commercialize this technology. 3D display technology meanwhile is still in the technology developmental stages, as witnessed by Japanese and Korean manufacturers' products on display at FPD International 2006. 3D display technology is widely used in entertainment and business applications, so manufactures will make plans for the commercialization of this technology.

Appendix

Research Scope

This report exexamines panel manufacturers which participated in the FPD International 2006 exhibition held in Yokohama, Japan in the fall of 2006. Mobile phone panels exhibited at FPD International 2006 by Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese FPD panel makers are the focus of this research. Particular attention is paid to panel sizes, panel resolutions, panel display technologies and other display features.

Glossary of Terms