JDI's 14-Inch OLED Panels - 2025 Mass Production

Japan Display Inc. (JDI) is embarking on a new venture into the market for 14-inch OLED panels, targeting the tablet and personal computer sectors, with production slated to commence around 2025.

Historically, JDI has specialized in the production of 1.4-inch OLED panels, primarily for smartwatches. Challenges related to screen brightness uniformity had limited their focus on larger OLED panels. However, JDI has successfully overcome these challenges with technological advancements, thus enabling the production of medium-sized OLED panels.

Founded in 2012 as a result of the merger of Sony, Toshiba, and Hitachi's small and medium-sized liquid crystal display (LCD) businesses, JDI was a significant LCD panel supplier for Apple's iPhone. Nevertheless, Apple's transition from LCD to OLED panels for the iPhone resulted in a decline in JDI's business performance.

JDI has also been actively engaged in research and development of OLED technology, although prior to this development, mass production of OLED panels larger than those used in smartwatches had been unattainable. Their goal is to swiftly establish a mass production system for medium-sized panels, measuring 10 inches or larger, through innovative technology, with a vision to cultivate this business as a new revenue stream.

The newly developed 14-inch panels by JDI will be manufactured at their Mobara facility, located near Tokyo, or potentially through collaborations with Chinese partners. Commencing from the 2024 fiscal year, JDI will commence bulk production of 1.4-inch eLEAP panels intended for smartwatches at the Mobara factory. Furthermore, JDI has licensed its technology to the leading Chinese panel supplier, HKC, and is currently in discussions regarding substantial panel production in China, targeting an approximate timeline of 2025.