Samsung Display (SDC) is reportedly collaborating with Microsoft to develop and supply OLED on Silicon (OLEDoS) for the next generation of Mixed Reality (MR) devices.
According to TheElec, industry sources revealed that SDC and Microsoft recently signed a contract to develop and supply OLEDoS, with the specific quantity undisclosed. However, insiders estimate supply could reach hundreds of thousands of units.
Industry insiders also disclosed that Microsoft's new device under development will focus on gaming and movie experiences rather than targeting the metaverse. Even if Microsoft finalizes the OLEDoS specifications and completes development and mass production, devices equipped with SDC's OLEDoS may not be launched until 2026 at the earliest.
It is reported that at the end of 2023, SDC established a new "Project M" organization, with the letter "M" standing for Micro, dedicated to developing OLEDoS. SDC is also collaborating with Samsung Electronics' System LSI division to develop and produce OLEDoS.
Samsung's System LSI division is responsible for designing the silicon substrate required for OLEDoS, with wafer production outsourced to Samsung's wafer foundry division. The white OLED organic material vapor deposition and encapsulation processes are carried out at SDC's Cheonan A1 plant.
Once completed, the color filters and micro-lens array (MLA) are added by Samsung's System LSI division, with the final encapsulation done by SDC. It is rumored that if SDC's OLEDoS supply increases, SDC intends to push for additional investments to handle the color filter and MLA processes in-house.
Despite Samsung's Mobile Experience (MX) division also developing next-generation MR devices and having already tested SDC's OLEDoS panel samples, Samsung ultimately chose to purchase Sony's products. Some suggest that SDC must successfully develop and transact OLEDoS with Microsoft before it can secure OLEDoS orders from Samsung.
