Samsung Display had planned to terminate production of LCD panels by late 2020, leaving Samsung Electronics to buy LCD panels from Chinese makers. The plan has now been postponed.
Possibly until the end of 2021
In March 2020, Samsung Display - Samsung's division for display research and production - confirmed to Reuters that it had decided to terminate all LCD production by the end of 2020.
In the light of the coronavirus' unexpected impact on the supply chain, it decided to extend panel production to March 2021. It has now decided to extend it further, possibly until the end of 2021, according to Business Korea. It is reported that Samsung Display is revising its plans "at the request of Samsung Electronics".
- "If Samsung Display closes its LCD business, Chinese companies are likely to raise prices of LCD panels," an industry analyst told Business Korea. "It seems that Samsung Electronics asked Samsung Display to extend its LCD production to maintain its bargaining power in negotiations with Chinese display makers."
As of 2019, only around one-third of the LCD panels used in Samsung TVs came from its own production
For its "QLED" LCD TVs and less advanced LCD TVs, Samsung Electronics is expected to use LCD panels from CSoT (TCL), AUO and possibly Sharp after Samsung Display terminates production, according to Korean media. As of 2019, only around one-third of the LCD panels used in Samsung TVs came from its own production.
Also read: LG Display to end domestic LCD TV panel production by end of 2020
As Samsung Display phases out LCD technology, it will invest billions of dollars in display technologies such as QD-OLED (blue OLEDs with QD color converters).
- Source: Business Korea
