Samsung to reduce prices and improve yields on the 2023 QD-OLED screens by introducing thinner panels
Samsung surprised everyone with the launch prices for the new QD-OLEDs. Initially believed to cost three times the price of LG’s W-OLED models based on South Korean currency conversion, world-wide price schemes turned out to be very similar to LG’s latest offer. The first tests revealed that QD-OLEDs are indeed brighter than the W-OLEDs from LG, but, despite superior color volume, this advantage comes with relatively inaccurate colors, so there is definitely room for improvement with the upcoming iterations. Besides correcting color-related issues and increasing production yields, one aspect that Samsung is looking to improve in next year’s models is panel thickness. This in turn could reduce production costs translating to even lower price points, as reported by South Korean publication TheElec.
The Q1 production figures for the QD-OLED displays were based on capacities of 30,000 glass sheets (2200x2500mm) per month. Estimated yield was 70%, which allowed the production of 880,000 TV units and 440,000 monitors. All first gen QD-OLED displays are based on panels with two glass substrates, but Samsung recently started to introduce thinner panels with single glass substrate that has a higher yield of 80%, which would allow the production of 1,080,000 TVs and 520,000 monitors per quarter.
In a recent interview with TheElec, Samsung revealed that one advantage of the thinner QD-OLED panels is the ability to use them in mobile devices with rollable displays. Furthermore, even though initial consumer reception for the QD-OLED technology seems positive, Samsung is not making this type of display a production priority as of yet. This is clearly reflected in the pricing schemes, where QD-OLEDs are more affordable than the Neo QLEDs with Mini LED tech or the Micro LED models. For now, the smartphone OLED displays are the first priority. Samsung is also planning to release a W-OLED lineup based on LG’s panels, but negotiations on this matter have not yet concluded.
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