A recent report published by NPD DisplaySearch indicates that the demand for high-resolution displays is expected to increase for tablet PCs, notebooks, and other large-area flat-panel display (FPD) applications.
The report – High Resolution FPD Market and Technology Report, highlights that as TFT LCD displays move rapidly towards higher resolutions, consumer and manufacturer demand for high-resolution displays is increasing in the near term, especially in smartphones and tablet PCs. It also suggests that 4K×2K ultra-high definition (UHD) TV is starting to take off.
“Previously used only for iPhones and other high-end smartphones, high-resolution displays are making in-roads in everything from personal computer monitors to public displays,” said Yoshio Tamura, Research Fellow at NPD DisplaySearch. “Declining costs for high-resolution FPDs are expected to lead to greater consumer market demand for less expensive products with sharper resolution.”
Figure 1: TFT LCD Pixel per Inch Share (2012-2013)
Source: NPD DisplaySearch High Resolution FPD Market and Technology Report
While displays with 200 ppi and higher had a 26.2% share of the FPD market on a unit basis in 2012, this share is expected to reach 34.8% this year and 53.4% in 2016. Starting in 2015, FPDs with 200-250 ppi will account for the largest share of TFT LCDs shipped. The manufacturing capacity for low temperature polysilicon (LTPS), a form of TFT that enables high resolution FPDs, is expected to nearly double from 2013 to 2016, the report said.
“Demand for LCD displays with 300 ppi or greater has yet to catch up with the capacity; however, eventually LTPS LCD supply will increase, and so will demand for these displays in a multitude of products,” Tamura added.
Specific trends in high resolution FPDs include the following:
- In smartphones, full HD FPDs with 350 ppi or greater started to ship in 2012, and are expected to have a 14% share of shipments in 2013, increasing to 32% by 2015.
- In tablet PCs, full HD FPDs with 250 ppi or greater started to ship in 2011, and are expected to have a 17% share this year, increasing to 35% in 2015.
- In notebook PCs, FPDs with full HD and higher resolutions will increase as a share of shipments between 2013 and 2015, from 16% to 31%.
- In desktop monitors, FPDs with 2000+ dot resolutions will increase as a share of shipments between 2013 and 2015, from 3% to 8%.
- In large screen sizes (50” and larger), 4K×2K UHD began shipping in 2012, and is expected to have a 6% share of shipments this year and increase to 24% by 2015.
