LCD TV panel prices are losing steam following a brief rally that began in late 2024, initially fueled by front-loaded orders. Rising inflation concerns and renewed tariff threats from US President Donald Trump are dampening global trade confidence, prompting consumers to pull back. At the same time, China's trade-in policy is losing momentum, softening demand. As a result, both panel makers and TV brands are slowing their purchasing pace.

Ennostar is rapidly diversifying from LED manufacturing into optical communication as demand for high-speed modules accelerates due to AI server requirements. The company has developed various optical communication light sources spanning short, medium, and long-distance applications, including Micro LED, VCSEL, indium phosphide (InP), and silicon photonics transmission technologies. Recently, Ennostar increased its stake in Global Communication Semiconductors to 25%, securing three board seats through its subsidiary Unikorn Semiconductor, solidifying its position as the largest shareholder while advancing its strategy to become an integrated device manufacturer (IDM) in optical communication.

Brightek expects to weather a subdued automotive and PC market in late 2024 with only a slight revenue decline, while positioning for substantial growth next year through product innovation and capacity expansion, according to company officials.

Samsung Display (SDC) has won its lawsuit against the Chinese display company BOE for "OLED patent infringement" filed with the US International Trade Commission (ITC). However, the ITC ruled that the case would not have any significant impact on the US display industry, and therefore decided not to impose any ban on the import and sale of BOE products in the US.

TCL Technology Group Corporation's (TCL) acquisition of LG Display (LGD)'s Chinese subsidiaries, approved by authorities and slated for completion by 2025, marks a strategic shift in the global display industry. As the Guangzhou plant transitions ownership, LGD reallocates resources to OLED development, strengthening TCL's market share and enhancing its financial prospects amid rising LCD demand.

Taiwan-based LED manufacturer Ennostar is ramping up its automotive market strategy through a planned merger of subsidiaries Epistar Corporation and Lextar Electronics by 2025, which will create a new entity tentatively named Ennostar Corporation. The consolidation aims to establish a one-stop service model by combining upstream epitaxy and chip technology with downstream packaging and module capabilities.

Sony has announced the development of a groundbreaking display technology that promises even richer and more vivid colors than traditional Mini LED TVs. By delivering higher color purity and an expanded color gamut, this next-generation display system is expected to enter mass production in 2025, targeting both consumer televisions and professional content creation monitors.

Following the Lunar New Year holidays, the mobile panel market has officially entered its traditional off-season. While China's subsidy policies have sustained demand for end-user devices, elevated channel inventory has prevented a noticeable surge in first-quarter demand for mobile panels. Consequently, panel prices have remained stable throughout March.

Taipei Dome introduces a 19-meter by 1-meter ultra-large LumiCanvas LED display from Innolux. In addition to the Taipei Dome, Innolux's seamless large-size video walls are already deployed in various locations, including Taipei Metro underground streets, Century Asia Cinemas, hospitals, department stores, and art exhibitions, with plans for future international exports.

On March 10, BOE Technology Group celebrated the mass production launch of its MLED (Mini/Micro LED) displays at Zhuhai BOE MLED Technology. The event, themed "Illuminating the Future, Mass Production Begins," welcomed over 50 international clients from the US, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, highlighting BOE's expanding footprint in the global MLED market.

Asia Optical announced its 2024 preliminary financial results on March 4, reporting a consolidated revenue of NT$23.047 billion (US$780.2 million), marking a 29% year-over-year increase. Gross profit reached NT$4.28 billion, reflecting an annual growth rate of 34%.

In response to recent tariffs and geopolitical risks, Edison Opto's board approved the establishment of a subsidiary in Europe in December 2024. The company believes that tariff concerns are not limited to the US; various regions worldwide will increasingly emphasize localized production in the coming years.

Japan Display Inc. (JDI) and OLEDWorks are collaborating to construct an advanced OLED display facility in New York. They are seeking a subsidy of approximately JPY100 billion (US$670.33 million) from the state government for the project.

Taiwan-based polarizer maker BenQ Materials is pushing to prepare for microLED and OLED products, eyeing the business opportunities from the emergence of microLED application, according to company president Ray Liu.

Shih-Jye Cheng, chairman of ChipMOS, a leading memory packaging and testing company, announced that the company's first-quarter revenue is expected to experience modest declines, primarily due to fewer working days and seasonal adjustments. This dip will affect both memory and driver IC sales.

Driven by the demand for semiconductors, mini-LED, and micro-LED technologies, Everlight Chemical saw robust revenue performance in its electronic chemicals segment throughout 2024. Even with fewer working days in January 2025, the company anticipates continued growth in electronic chemicals, supported by sustained semiconductor demand. Market expectations suggest that Everlight Chemical will maintain its momentum in 2025.

Ennostar faced a loss in the fourth quarter due to inventory adjustments and the off-peak season but expects similar results in the first quarter of 2025 despite fewer working days, according to chairman Paul Peng.

Apple recently unveiled the iPhone 16e, its first budget iPhone model that features an OLED display. Analysts now speculate that Samsung Display (SDC), once less invested in the affordable iPhone market, may expand its supply, while LG Display (LGD) is betting on strong sales of the iPhone 16e to help drive a much-needed recovery for its business.

Leading LED manufacturer Ennostar plans to boost its value-driven applications by increasing its stake in Prolight Opto from 53.69% to full ownership. This decision is part of the company's "3+1" strategy, focusing on automotive, advanced displays, smart sensing, and lighting/optical communications sectors.

CWTC, a leading player in packaging lead frames, has intensified its focus on Mini LED applications in recent years. By the end of 2024, the company is set to enter the South Korean TV supply chain, and by 2025, it plans to launch a next-generation high-heat dissipation lead frame product. This new offering targets both the automotive and consumer electronics markets, with mass production expected to boost revenue in the second half of 2025.

A South Korean market research firm predicts that while the OLED TV market growth has stagnated, South Korean television manufacturers must leverage OLED technology to maintain their position in the premium segment.

Coretronic, a manufacturer of LED backlight units (BLU), has raised its capital expenditure (capex) target to approximately NT$1.5 billion (approx. US$45.86 million) in 2025, up from the previously estimated NT$800-900 million. New orders for OLED monitors are driving the increase. Coretronic's capex was around NT$2.68 billion in 2024.

Apple has scrapped its plans to develop a Micro LED smartwatch in 2024, dealing a blow to the technology's immediate prospects. Yet, the scene at CES 2025 suggests Micro LED remains a hotbed of innovation, with companies pressing ahead on new products and breakthroughs. Apple's retreat may signal challenges, but it hasn't dampened industry momentum.

China-based TV manufacturers, including TCL and Hisense, are aggressively challenging South Korea-based competitors by leveraging their price advantages. In response, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are ramping up OLED TV sales to fend off the mounting competition from China.

Excellence Optronics Inc (EOI) has begun constructing a new automotive LED module factory in Querétaro, Mexico. This expansion strengthens EOI's global supply chain, with the facility scheduled for completion by September 2025 and operations beginning in 2026, improving service capabilities in Mexico, Central America, and Europe.