As Samsung Display has begun full-fledged shipments of paid samples (prototypes) of 8.6-generation IT organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels, it was recently confirmed that the Production yield surpassed 80%. Samsung Display is said to be planning to begin mass production as early as June this year for products to be officially supplied to customers. Based on a stable Production yield, Samsung Display aims to quickly ramp up mass production and widen the gap with Chinese display corporations.
The 8.6-generation OLED is called a "game changer" in the display industry. It uses a glass substrate about 2.25 times larger than the 6th generation, which is mainly used for mass production now, improving production efficiency and reducing costs. Samsung Display shipped paid samples manufactured on an 8.6-generation production line to customers in January this year, the first in the display industry.
According to the industry on the 8th, the Production yield of Samsung Display's 8.6-generation IT OLED recently exceeded 80%. After shipping paid samples to customers in January, Samsung Display entered a full-fledged mass production phase and is said to be tightening production, viewing June–July this year as the point to begin full-scale mass production of OLEDs to be installed in customer products. The OLED is expected to be used in Apple's new MacBook models to be released next year.
In April 2023, Samsung Display announced it would invest about 4.1 trillion won to build a production line with a capacity of 15,000 sheets per month. A source familiar with Samsung Display's plans said, "Recently, the Production yield of 8.6-generation OLEDs exceeded 80%. Mass production is proceeding smoothly, and we expect to ship mass-produced products to customers as planned," adding, "We are making every effort to ensure successful mass production so that we can widen the technology gap with Chinese display corporations."
Through its 8.6-generation production line, Samsung Display plans to mass-produce 14-inch and 16-inch panels for Apple's MacBook Pro and is known to be supplying the entire estimated volume of around 3 million units to Apple. Lee Cheong, president of Samsung Display, said last month regarding the progress of the 8.6-generation OLED business, "Overall, it is going well."
Samsung Display plans to quickly enter mass production and widen the gap with Chinese display corporations that are catching up fast. BOE, China's largest display corporation, said it has entered the customer sample verification stage in the 8.6-generation OLED business. Its mass production target remains the second half of this year as planned, and it is accelerating production to catch up with Samsung Display. China's CSOT is also said to have begun placing equipment orders in February this year for 8.6-generation mass production.
A display industry official said, "LG Display, Samsung Display's domestic competitor, has been unable to invest in an 8.6-generation production line due to continued losses," adding, "Chinese corporations, backed by large-scale government support, are making aggressive facility investments. Samsung Display is ahead in technology, but it cannot afford to be complacent."