Memory module manufacturer Apacer Technology has, in recent years, been actively expanding into full-color cholesteric liquid crystal electronic paper (ChLCD ePaper). Recognizing that Japan has a strong demand for sustainable solutions, the company has joined forces with IRIS Optronics for CEATEC 2025 in Japan, showcasing the latest applications that combine low power consumption, reflective display, and outdoor visibility.
MiniLED-backlit TVs are experiencing explosive growth, with overall shipments surpassing OLED TVs. In China, the penetration rate of miniLED-backlit TVs has rapidly increased, with over 90% of the market dominated by the top-four brand vendors: Hisense, TCL Technology, Skyworth, and Xiaomi.
Global Lighting Technologies (GLT) has liquidated its Zhongshan factory in Guangdong, China and has plans to start trial production at its new facility in Vietnam facility in the fourth quarter of 2025. GLT chairman Mang-shiang Lee said the company has reduced display segment revenue to below 5% of its overall sales and is expanding into the biomedical sector for stable future growth.
Taiwan's semiconductor and panel industries were once two of the government-favored sectors with technological advantages. However, China's rapid rise in the panel industry, driven by massive investments leading to overcapacity, has pressured Taiwan's panel sector to transform. Meanwhile, Taiwan's semiconductor industry, led by TSMC's advanced technology, dominates orders for cutting-edge processes, leaving China far behind.
As the industry enters the fourth quarter of 2025, the traditional peak season for TV manufacturers is losing momentum. China's Singles' Day shopping festival stockpiling is winding down, and although Beijing has confirmed a new round of consumer subsidies, the long-standing incentive policy no longer delivers a strong demand stimulus. The earlier front-loading of purchases has capped growth potential for ultra-large TVs.
As the industry enters the fourth quarter of 2025, IT panels are moving into their traditional off-season. With inventory buildup largely completed, demand momentum is fading, and shipments of both LCD monitor and notebook panels are expected to decline from the third quarter of 2025, though panel makers are actively cutting production to keep supply and demand in check. Market forecasts suggest IT panel prices may see a slight decline in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The integration of Micro LED into AI glasses research has entered the competitive landscape as market interest in AI glasses continues to rise. GIS, which in recent years transformed from touch panels into new businesses, is focusing its 2025 capital expenditures on emerging applications like AR/VR. It is joining forces with Micro LED start-up Porotech, combining GIS's optical engine key technologies along with Foxconn's mass production capacity to form upstream-downstream strategic integration. They have reportedly obtained cooperation in development with important US clients, and AI glasses could be released as early as the second half of 2026 to 2027.
Apple is set to launch a 7.6-inch folding iPhone in 2026, with Samsung Display (SDC) expected to be the exclusive supplier of its OLED panels, capturing about 40% of Samsung's total foldable panel shipments.
As demand slows in consumer electronics, Samsung Electronics is accelerating its expansion into the B2B digital signage market. The company has secured a large-scale order from Toyota Motor to supply about 23,000 smart displays to its global exhibition centers in the first half of 2025.
As the global semiconductor industry eyes the rise of 12-inch silicon carbide (SiC) wafers as potential game-changers in advanced packaging, a surprising development is reshaping the conversation. A Chinese startup has reportedly discovered a high-value application for large-diameter SiC substrates—one that directly aligns with the supply chain of tech giant Meta's AI-powered smart glasses.
Taiwan's first outdoor color electronic paper (e-paper) billboards have demonstrated remarkable resilience, operating reliably under harsh coastal conditions at the Siangshan Wetland in northern Taiwan since their trial launch at the end of 2024. The five solar-powered displays were installed through a May 2024 partnership between Taiwan-based e-paper leader E Ink Holdings and the Hsinchu City Government, marking a milestone in the integration of green technology and ecological conservation.
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