Samsung and LG have launched OLED TVs in select markets, and Sony and Panasonic have something coming. Prices have already fallen, but soon new manufacturers will join in. New production methods can make OLED displays 30% cheaper than LCDs, says an equipment manufacturer.
 
OLED TVs will soon get cheaper
Samsung and LG are producing their own OLED panels, and we hear that they are steadily improving production yields and reducing costs. It is also reported that Samsung and LG are setting up new, larger OLED plants in Korea.

The Chinese display manufacturers will also be joining soon. TCL – the third largest TV maker during some months – has received board approval to build an 8.5G plant to produce LCD and OLED panels. TCL aims to produce 55-inch OLED panels. Construction of the plant will commence in late 2013. Another Chinese display manufacturer, BOE, also has plans to set up an 8G plant to produce OLED panels for TVs, but no date has been announced.


An OLED screen manufacturing machine. This one prints OLED panels. Picture credit: OLED-Info.com

30% cheaper than LCD panels
Another interesting announcement came from Kateeva, a US-based company. They have finished work on and announced a new OLED production machine that “prints” OLED panels. It is suitable for mass production and is said to lower production costs significantly.

The CEO says that it has the potential to make OLED panels 30% cheaper than comparable LCD panels – but not from the beginning. The machine can produce OLED panels with 4K resolution in 31” sizes and up. Six 55” OLED panels can be produced in 90 to 120 seconds. The machine will be available to buy for display manufacturers around the world. It is called YIELDJet and is said to be the first of its kind.

Sony and Panasonic’s OLED plans have not been announced, but Panasonic has showcased several OLED TV prototypes that were printed out.


A print head moves over a glass, metal or plastic substrate to create OLED pixels. Picture credit: OLED-Info.com

Samsung and LG have both launched OLED TVs earlier this year for $15,000. Prices have since been slashed to $9,000.
 
- Source: OLED-Info.com & Engadget