Samsung Investment in Sharp not for Developing IGZO Technology

The investment is said to be related to the development of LCD TV, which makes sense given that Samsung has their own competing display technology such as AMOLED.

“Tuan was dispelling industry rumors that stated Samsung’s investment was to develop IGZO technology with Sharp so it could get an upper hand with the technology in the panel industry,” Julian Ho and Alex Wolfgram report. “The chairman simply stated that Samsung’s US$110 million investment was “too cheap” and that Samsung was looking for more LCD TV panel resources.”

It is also unlikely Sharp would want Samsung to get a piece of such a potentially lucrative business, especially if Apple becomes a customer.

“IGZO technology is rumored to be used in upcoming Apple products such as the next-generation iPhone and is expected to be supplied from Sharp,” according to the report.

Source: Digitimes