LG, LX, SK team up for micro OLED technology development

[Image source: LG Display]

The global micro organic light emitting diode (OLED) market is getting a boost with display manufacturers like LG Display Co. and Samsung Display Co. launching development of the technology that is used in extended reality (XR) devices in gaming and healthcare industries.

According to multiple industry sources on Monday, LG Display has been engaged in developing micro OLED technology with LX Semicon and SK hynix Inc. since late last year. LG Display and LX Semicon are responsible for micro OLED planning and SK hynix wafer processing.

Micro OLED is a custom-made OLED display for XR devices that come in headset form. Ultra-high-definition display is a must in an XR device as the screen comes right in front of the eyes. OLED display causes dizziness as the circuits between the pixels show as a mosquito net. Micro OLED display, on the other hand, do not show the black lines.

The issue with micro OLEDs, however, is that they need to be made with silicon wafers, a chip material, instead of glass substrate used in other displays. Micro OLED display involves adding an OLED element on to a wafer.

LG Display has partnered with SK hynix for this technology, sources said. LG Display and LX Semicon are in charge of chip design and SK hynix with chip manufacturing.

Samsung Display has also jumped onto the bandwagon. The company has been establishing a line for micro OLED trial production since late last year at its factory in Asan, South Chungcheong Province.

Display manufacturers consider the micro OLED market a future growth engine as global big tech companies like Meta Platforms Inc. and Apple Inc. are jumping into the XR device industry. Meta has been engaged in developing virtual reality (VR) devices and Apple’s VR headsets are expected to be released in the first half of this year.

According to display research firm Display Supply Chain, the XR display market is projected to reach $5.2 billion in 2024, up from $2.5 billion in 2023.