In its latest report on backplane technology for displays, TrendForce reveals that OLED has solidified its position as the mainstream display solution for smartphones, with the penetration rate of mid-to-high-end backplane technologies such as LTPS (Low-Temperature Poly-Silicon) and LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) expected to reach nearly 57 percent in 2024.
The report predicts this rate could approach 60 percent by 2025, driven by improved manufacturing yields and cost controls. Additionally, the rapid expansion of AMOLED panels into other IT markets is expected to boost the adoption of oxide and LTPO backplanes.
LTPO: Enhancing Energy Efficiency in Displays
Backplane technology plays a crucial role in determining a smartphone’s visual quality, performance, energy consumption, and cost. The evolution from LTPS to LTPO backplanes has significantly improved display performance, particularly in high-end smartphones. LTPS, known for its high electron mobility, enables faster switching speeds and higher resolutions, making it ideal for premium devices. However, it also leads to greater power consumption due to higher leakage current.
LTPO backplanes, which are now used in most flagship smartphones, build on LTPS by integrating oxide semiconductors. This combination optimizes display performance, reduces leakage current, and enables dynamic refresh rate adjustment, thereby improving energy efficiency. However, the complexity and cost of manufacturing LTPO backplanes remain higher due to the additional layers involved in the process.
Oxide Backplanes and the Future of AMOLED Panels
Oxide backplanes, using materials such as zinc oxide (ZnO) or indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), are becoming more common in high-end displays like Apple’s iPad and MacBook series. These backplanes are expected to be well-suited for future applications in transparent displays, thanks to their lower leakage current.
As AMOLED panels expand into markets beyond smartphones, including tablets and notebooks, the choice of backplane technology becomes increasingly important. TrendForce suggests that panel manufacturers, like BOE, are focusing on LTPO backplanes for new large-generation AMOLED production lines to cater to the diverse requirements of IT devices. Although initial production costs for LTPO backplanes are high, the expected cost efficiencies from scaled production could help these technologies capture a significant share of the market.
Outlook
TrendForce concludes that as production scales up, the costs associated with high-end backplanes like LTPO and oxide are expected to decrease. This will allow mid-sized AMOLED displays incorporating these technologies to become more competitive, potentially expanding their market share across various product segments.
