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Panel wars are on the verge of a hit, Samsung digs Taiwan's Micro LED supply chain
In the realm of Micro LED technology, Samsung is taking bold steps. Reports indicate that the South Korean tech giant is aggressively pursuing Micro LED expertise and talent from overseas, signaling an impending battle in the display industry. Samsung's upcoming Micro LED TV is reportedly nearing its final development stage, setting the stage for a new wave of competition.
Recently, Samsung has been collaborating with Taiwan’s Micro LED supply chain, drawing attention from major players like Hon Hai Group. Samsung has seen significant profits in OLED technology this year, but now it's turning its focus to Taiwan’s Micro LED ecosystem. This move has prompted Guo Taiming to take action, as a fresh round of panel wars appears to be on the horizon.
[Image: Panel wars are on the verge of a hit, Samsung digs Taiwan's Micro LED supply chain]
According to reports, Samsung is preparing to unveil its Micro LED TV at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) on January 7. Notably, some of the components for this product are sourced from Taiwan, marking a strategic shift in its supply chain strategy.
Over the past year, Korean manufacturers have made frequent visits to Taiwan’s Micro LED suppliers. Industry observers have noted that Korean engineers have been regularly spotted at the Taiyuan Science and Technology Park. Wu Zhiyi, director of the Institute of Electro-Optics at the Industrial Technology Research Institute, mentioned that many attendees at this year’s Micro LED Forum were from Samsung and LG, who actively engaged in discussions. Jingdian’s general manager, Zhou Mingjun, also remarked, “If Samsung launches a Micro LED TV next year, it won’t come as a surprise.â€
Why is Samsung so interested in Taiwan’s advancements? Because the island’s supply chain has successfully developed a high-resolution full-color display capable of reaching 300 DPI—exceeding even Apple’s standards. With a flexible substrate, this technology could enable flexible or transparent displays, giving Samsung a competitive edge in the market.
In Taiwan, numerous teams are working on innovative Micro LED technologies. However, the technology still needs to prove its commercial viability. It requires not only display capabilities but also driver ICs, machine components, and circuits. Fortunately, these resources are available to Samsung. While Apple was secretly building a Micro LED supply chain in Longtan, Samsung was quietly expanding its own presence in the region. Over the past year, Samsung has established a complete Micro LED supply chain in Taiwan, suggesting that its Micro LED TV is entering its final phase.
Meanwhile, Guo Taiming’s eLux, a newly established Micro LED company, is partnering with Hon Hai. Additionally, Sharp, led by Dai Zhengwu, is exploring ways to integrate Micro LED with its IGZO technology to develop high-end display panels. According to sources, Hon Hai’s sub-groups are using their own funds, such as the automotive division, to explore applications of Micro LED in the automotive sector.
Currently, the Micro LED landscape remains highly competitive. For Taiwan, the key lies in integration to unlock commercial potential. As the U.S., China, and South Korea all vie for dominance, if the technology isn't properly managed, history may repeat itself—similar to how Taiwan once developed key OLED technology but sold the patents to South Korea, missing out on a major business opportunity.