14 DAY TRIAL // AMOLED technology is all set to start replacing normal OLED and maybe even regular LED. Maybe not soon, but in the mid-term, like in a few years or so. The signs are already here, as evident from the likely expansion of the market in 2014.
This is something that market analyst firm iSuppli, part of IHS, has been taking a close interest in, like it is prone to do about various tech topics.
According to its most recent findings, AMOLED light-emitting materials will grow as a market substantially next year.
Whereas sales reached around $350 million / €254 million this year, the level is expected to climb to $445 million / €323 million in 2014. And this is coming after the market already grew 49% in 2013.
Samsung played a big part in this, having ramped up the mass production it started in 2008, but the more palpable causes are products like LG's white OLED TV panels and flexible AMOLED screens.
It doesn't hurt that there are two types of AMOLED and, thus, double the marketing opportunity: common functional layer materials and color-emitting materials.
That said, from 2014, AMOLED technology will be used in various mobile and not-so-mobile products, like televisions, smartphones, tablets maybe, various gadgets, maybe even wearable tech like cyber clothing and the like. Even AMOLED lamps might show up, as proof of concept if nothing else.
"South Korea's Samsung Display has successfully pioneered the AMOLED business during the last five years, attaining major success in the market for smartphone panels ranging in size from 3-inches to 5-inches," said Doo Kim, principal analyst, display component and materials research.
"Now other panel manufacturers are seeking to cash in on the expanding demand for AMOLEDs in smartphone, televisions and other products. This phenomenon will spur the continued increase in sales of materials used to create AMOLEDs in 2014."