While Samsung will not be pursuing QD-OLED TVs in 2021, it may launch the first PC monitor based on the new display technology, according to Display Daily and FlatpanelsHD's sources.
QD-OLED TVs
In an article on Display Daily, Barry Young, president and CEO of the OLED Association, provided an update on QD-OLED and Samsung Electronics' plans, saying that Samsung Electronics has forsaken QD-OLED TVs in favor of miniLED LCD TVs. At least for now.
- "The Visual Display division has recently changed its position on miniLED LCD backlights from a mild interest to a strong commitment after seeing the performance of some Chinese-built TVs with Mini LED backlights that also incorporated QD color change films. They believe that these devices can compete with OLEDs and as a result have notified Samsung Display that they will not be participating in the sales of QDOLED TVs," wrote Barry Young.
Also read: Report: LG & Samsung to launch miniLED LCD TVs in 2021
Also read: Samsung trademarks 'QLED Neo', 'QLED Platinum' & 'QLED+' for 2021 TVs
Instead, Sony could be the first TV brand to launch QD-OLED TVs based on panels from Samsung Display, according to the report; probably in the second half of 2021. It has previously been reported that TCL and Panasonic have also shown interest in the QD-OLED TV panels.
LG C9 OLED (left), Samsung QD prototype (middle), Samsung Q950TS (right). Source: The Elec
QD-OLED monitors
Samsung Electronics is on the other hand planning to launch QD-OLED monitors for the high-end segment, according to the report.
- "(Samsung's) Visual Display division, which is also responsible for monitors and notebooks has agreed to sell QDOLED high end monitors in the 33” to 35” range, almost as a way of expressing some corporate loyalty," wrote Barry Young.
It is an interesting statement from the president of the OLED Association, especially because it is not the first time that FlatpanelsHD has heard a Samsung QD-OLED monitor mentioned. FlatpanelsHD has heard that Samsung's first QD-OLED monitor will be 30+ inches in diagonal and that it could launch as soon as 2021.
Japan OLED (JOLED), a joint venture between Japan Display, Sony, and Panasonic, is already producing a 22-inch RGB-OLED panel for high-end monitors such as the Eizo Foris Nova. In addition, Japan OLED is developing larger RGB OLED monitor panels. At this time, LG Display is not manufacturing OLED monitor panels – only panels for TVs, handheld devices, and wearables
That is all we know right now. Perhaps we will learn more at the virtual CES 2021 show in January.
- Source: Display Daily, own sources, picture: The Elec