Latest news with #LGDisplay
Korea Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
LG Display to invest W1.26tr in OLED push for growth
LG Display said Tuesday it would invest 1.26 trillion won ($926 million) to bolster its organic light-emitting diode technology competitiveness and strengthen its long-term growth foundation. This marks the first trillion-won scale investment plan officially unveiled by a domestic company since the launch of President Lee Jae Myung's administration. The decision, approved at a board meeting, reflects the display maker's commitment to enhancing its differentiated technological edge and securing leadership in the global display market. The investment, spanning through June 30, 2027, forms part of the company's mid-to-long-term capital expenditure plan. LG Display said it will continue efforts to improve its financial structure alongside the new spending initiative. A significant portion of the funds will be allocated to its Paju plant, focusing on next-generation OLED technology and production facilities. The move is aimed at proactively responding to the growing global demand for OLED displays. According to market tracker Omdia, the global LCD market, valued at $78.9 billion last year, is projected to see a sluggish average annual growth of around 1 percent through 2028. In contrast, the OLED market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 5 percent over the same period, from $53.3 billion last year to nearly $68.7 billion by 2028. The company aims to build infrastructure for panels and modules equipped with next-generation premium OLED technologies. The decision, made after a thorough assessment of technological readiness, development capacity, mass production systems and market demand, is expected to serve as a dual engine for future growth and profitability. In addition to boosting its competitiveness, the investment is anticipated to bring positive ripple effects to the regional economy in Gyeonggi Province, especially in Paju where most of the spending will be concentrated. This marks LG Display's first major domestic investment since selling its LCD plant in Guangzhou, China, and is seen as a potential contributor to the national economic recovery. The plan is also expected to generate indirect economic benefits through collaboration with small and medium-sized partner firms, while revitalizing local commercial districts. 'Our focus last year was on laying the groundwork for a turnaround. This year, we are committed to leaping forward,' CEO Jeong Cheol-dong said. 'We will continue to lead the market by proactively developing LG Display's unique technologies and products that deliver customer value,' he added.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
LG Display to expand production capacity in South Korea
LG Display Company, the digital display manufacturing unit of South Korea's LG Group, plans to invest KRW 700 billion (US$ 517 million) to expand its domestic organic light-emitting diode (OLED) production facilities, according to local reports. The new investment follows the sale of the company's 80% stake in its display panel and module plant in China's Guangzhou Province to China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT) for KRW2.25 trillion. A spokesperson for LG Display confirmed that the company is looking to use part of the proceeds of the sale to either expand its existing OLED production facilities in Paju, in Gyeonggi Province just outside Seoul, or build an entirely new facility. Other proceeds from the Chinese plant sale will be used to strengthen LG Display's research and development (R&D) operations and to cover operational expenses, with the aim of strengthening the company's overall competitiveness in the global OLED market. The company was expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Paju City government in July. LG Display showcased its latest OLED technologies last month at SID Display Week 2025 in San Jose, California, the world's largest display exhibition. Under the theme 'Display Technologies Shaping the Future,' the company unveiled its latest full OLED lineup - covering large and medium displays, and also automotive displays aimed at next-generation connected vehicles. "LG Display to expand production capacity in South Korea" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Telegraph
21-05-2025
- Telegraph
Philips OLED+959 TV review: A top-end OLED with a unique wow factor
What is the Philips OLED+959 TV? Released towards the end of 2024, the OLED+959 is Philips' best OLED TV. Its Meta 2.0 OLED panel uses billions of micro lenses to focus and brighten the image. Supplied to Philips by LG Display, it's one of the best TV screens currently available, but what makes this TV unique is its Ambilight system. With this, a ring of coloured LEDs project the on-screen colours onto the surrounding wall. This gives an immersive experience similar to being in the cinema. Philips have made this their hero feature since its debut in 2004 but the latest version, which can project four different halos simultaneously, offers a greater sense of depth and detail. This combines with a surround-sound system by British high-end audio company Bowers & Wilkins, with a total of 18 drivers delivering a combined 102 Watts of power and performance equal to all but the best soundbars. None of this comes cheap. The OLED+959 costs a fifth more than the competitors' flagship OLEDs, such as Samsung's S95D OLED and LG's flagship G5. Whether you think it's worth the premium comes down to how you feel about the Ambilight and the Bowers & Wilkins sound. Personally, I think they're huge assets. Read my full review below for more detail. JUMP TO: How we test TVs Every TV is tested at home for a minimum of two weeks (in this case, six). We play a variety of content in standard, high and ultra-high definition, from movies to nature programmes, sport and daytime viewing. We also assess the quality of 4K content and the upscaling capabilities, where applicable. We evaluate the picture and sound, see how easy the TV is to set up and operate and check how well it performs with gaming consoles and other peripherals. We're looking for everyday usability as well as the wow factor. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our tech experts continuously conduct in-depth, independent, real-world tests, scoring devices against pre-set testing metrics and industry benchmarks, so we can deliver definitive and comprehensive buying advice. Telegraph Recommended reviews are never shared with product manufacturers before publication, we don't accept payment in exchange for positive reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. Design and technology Scored: 10/10 My videos above don't quite do justice to the Ambilight, which works best when placed against a wall. Even with the OLED+959 standing in a corner, it still made a sensational centrepiece, a cross between a flickering hearth and an old-fashioned cinema. Interestingly, the original purpose of Ambilight was to reduce eye strain. When you look at the back of the TV, you can see how it works: a ring of LEDs are each capable of projecting nine colours at four different distances. On the back, you'll also find the subwoofer in the centre of the TV. No other manufacturer offers Ambilight and only Panasonic, with their range-topping Z95A, can offer better built-in sound. All this top-end technology requires a screen five or six times thicker than the competition to fit it in, but the pale fabric covering gives it a 'posh hi-fi' vibe. Picture processing comes from a new, eighth-generation P5 AI dual engine, which can optimise the dynamic range to the brightness of the room. This made a huge difference when watching dark content during the day. It's also used to upscale lower-definition content to ultra-HD, although some competitor AIs can pull off this trick better. Finally, the AI can detect when you're watching football and turn on a dedicated motion-smoothing setting. This saved me a lot of trouble, since I hate motion smoothing on anything but sport and usually waste hours of my life turning it off and on again. Overall, the OLED+959's unique design easily justifies full marks, assuming you're on board with the whole Ambilight thing. Picture quality Score: 9/10 When it was released, the OLED+959's picture was as good as they come. It's only the imminent arrival of tandem OLED panels, with an extra light-emitting layer, that will make it look anything like second best. Here, brightness and dynamic range are boosted by a layer of 40 billion tiny lenses called a micro lens array, although Philips call it 'Meta'. I tested the OLED+959's dynamic range first by watching The Batman, a distinctly dingy film in which people dressed in black fight in the shadows. This is the kind of content that OLEDs are designed for, because their pixels can be turned all the way off to show 'true black'. Until recently, you'd have to be viewing in a darkened room to get the benefit, but the Meta 2.0 technology in the OLED+959 allows brighter peaks and a greater dynamic range in between, so that the fine gradations of shade are visible in a bright room. There's a setting to make them even more distinct, but I was impressed anyway with crispness and lack of smudge. At the other end of the dynamic range, Dune Part II has scenes set in the blinding glare of the desert where you need to be able to differentiate between white sand, white costumes and white smoke while also seeing detail in the shadows. Again, the OLED+959 impressed, although you may get slightly more subtlety at the peak end with non-OLED 4K TVs like the Panasonic MX950. Finally, I tested the colour gamut with ultra-HD nature documentary A Real Bug's Life. There was a gorgeous range and realism, with sparkling peaks and subtle hues, although competitor TVs from Sony and Samsung, which use colour-enhancing quantum dots can offer slightly more wow-factor here. The OLED+959 is compatible with most of the high dynamic range formats, including Dolby Vision, which Samsung TVs don't support. I'm a cinephile who hates motion smoothing, so I always test to see whether a TV has a smoothing setting that doesn't make everything look like a soap opera. The OLED+959, in common with all other OLEDs except the Hisense A85N, can't quite manage it. Where it definitely succeeded was in preventing colour banding, where large uniform areas like interior walls get divided into splodgy stripes. I only saw this once in six weeks of watching, which is way better than the 20 or so other TVs I've tested. Sound Score: 10/10 A big win here, although a hard one to illustrate with a photo. With the Bowers & Wilkins sound system hidden behind a fabric mesh, the best I can do is to show my cat mesmerised by the sound of squirrels. I can vouch for the realism and detail at the quietest end of the volume range. At the loudest end, action movies such as Dune Part II sounded thrilling. Its 102 Watts is a lot of power, but more important is the separation and sense of space. Hidden behind that fabric panel are front-firing left, centre and right speakers with tweeters to cover the mid-range and treble frequencies. There are two speakers on each side of the screen to fire left and right, while two more on top fire upwards. The big subwoofer at the rear has passive radiators to widen the sound. The combined effect is decidedly cinematic when watching Dolby Atmos films: you can hear jet planes passing overhead and explosions rattling the floor. Listening to music in isolation, heavy rock guitars and drums sound a bit indistinct, but classical, jazz and acoustic music are gorgeously detailed. Overall, this is one of the very few TVs that don't need an additional soundbar to create immersive surround-sound (although of course, it can connect to one or to any compatible home speaker via DTS Play-Fi). All this comes at a cost, but perhaps not such a high one when you consider that Bowers & Wilkins speakers can cost as much as £11,000. Operating system and usability Score: 9/10 The OLED+959 uses the Google TV operating system familiar from Sony, Hisense and TCL tellies, although there are a lot of modifications specific to Philips, not least the ability to choose various styles of Ambilight using one big button on the remote control. There are also a wider-than-usual range of settings for the 12-channel surround sound set-up. The remote itself is my favourite on the market. With a brushed metal finish, it feels solid and has paddles, rather than buttons, to raise and lower the volume and scroll through lists. There are dedicated buttons for Netflix, Prime and YouTube and a fourth which takes you to all the other TV apps, such as Disney and Apple TV+. I found a response lag starting to creep in after three or four weeks, but a quick recharge via the USB-C cable fixed it. The Google OS is better than the proprietary systems used by Samsung and LG and roughly on a par with the Fire OS used by Amazon and Panasonic. One handy feature is that if your old TV used the Google OS, all your preferences are ported over to the OLED+959 when you sign in. Gaming and peripherals Score: 8/10 I spent a very long time playing Assassin's Creed Shadows on the OLED+959. It's a very challenging game for a TV to do justice to, given that most of it takes place in pitch darkness, but Philips pulled it off. There were rich details in the shadows and zingy sparks on flashing swords, while brighter scenes of swirling cherry blossoms looked stunning. An indicator shows you the frame rate: in this case 59.9Hz, which I had chosen for the best picture quality, but serious gamers can choose 120Hz or even 144Hz for faster response times, with latency as low as five milliseconds. Philips' Game Bar, triggered when you start playing, lets you choose sound, picture and Ambilight settings and save them as a profile. Accessibility features include a crosshair, centre zoom and colour filter, while the shadow-enhancer and edge-enhancer functions come in handy on dark, moody games (of which there are a lot). Most of these features are available on the latest TVs from LG, Sony and Samsung and in all honesty, their game bars are better-looking. Many also offer four HDMI 2.1 ports, compared to the Philips' two, which means they can have more latest-generation devices plugged into them. Nevertheless, this is a seriously good gaming telly, with the sound system making a huge difference to the experience. Technical specifications The closest rival to the Philips OLED+959 is probably LG's flagship G5 OLED. They both use screens made by LG Display, although the G5's is a new generation with an extra light-emitting layer, making it much brighter. LG's television has a far less impressive sound system than the Philips and its operating system can be annoying, but it does have a thinner screen and costs considerably less. Here's how they compare: Should you buy the Philips OLED+959? Brighter OLEDs are being released this year and some offer more dazzling colours. Costing £600 more than even those newer competitors, it's hard to argue that this is a bargain, but it has a wow factor that you just can't find elsewhere. It's well built, with superb built-in surround sound and whether fixed to the wall or placed on a stand, it makes TV-watching a deeply satisfying experience. Yes, if: You're looking for an impressive centrepiece to the room You care about sound quality You love movies and games and like to be immersed No, if: You can't place it against a wall (Ambilight needs a wall) You'd prefer a 2025-generation OLED and separate surround-sound system Philips OLED+959 FAQs What makes the new Ambilight Plus on the OLED+959 different? In the new system, each of the coloured LEDs has four lenses which can spread light at four different distances. This allows for better immersion as the shifting on-screen colours spread to the wall behind. There is also a new AI algorithm that matches the Ambilight to the content you're watching, the lighting in the room and the colour of the wall. How good is the integrated Bowers & Wilkins 5.1.2 sound system and do I need a separate soundbar? It is superb, delivering 102 Watts of power through a total of 18 front, side and upwards-firing drivers, including a subwoofer. You can add separates (you can link your entire home speaker system using DTS Play-Fi), but this is one of the few OLED TVs that really doesn't need a soundbar. What is the picture quality like? Equal to any other OLED from 2024 and only beaten by the very recent 'tandem' OLED panels, which may dominate the next generation. What are the gaming features of the Philips OLED+959? Latency is as low as 5 milliseconds with 144Hz inputs. It's compatible with Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync VRR formats, as well as Dolby Vision Gaming. The TV automatically detects gaming and activates AI-optimised sound, picture and Ambilight settings which can be tweaked in the Game Bar. Overall, it's the equal of any gaming TV except those that offer four HDMI 2.1 ports. This only has two. Does the Philips OLED+959 support all catch-up TV apps? It uses the Google OS, so it only has the apps Google supports. That currently doesn't include Freeview Play and in my experience there were a few problems with ITVX and BBC iPlayer: some episodes of ongoing shows couldn't be found on catch-up. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney + and Apple TV+ are all supported, but not the new Freely system, which allows live streaming of the terrestrial channels without an aerial.
Korea Herald
20-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Apple may split iPhone launch, shifting Korean supplier dynamics
Staggered iPhone release may offer Samsung, LG more balanced supply timeline, better margin control Apple is reportedly considering releasing new models twice annually, with significant impacts expected for the production and shipment schedules of Korean display and component suppliers closely tied to the US tech giant. According to industry sources Tuesday, Apple is likely to adopt a staggered launch timeline for the iPhone 18 series in 2026. Breaking from its long-standing tradition of unveiling all models simultaneously in September, the new approach would see lower-end models released in the first half of the year and higher-end models released in the second. The potential shift could alter the competitive landscape among display suppliers, particularly if the specifications between the two batches differ. Currently, Samsung Display supplies around half of the OLED panels used in iPhones, while LG Display covers 30 percent and China's BOE handles the remaining 20 percent, according to industry estimates. 'By spreading out the launch schedule, Apple gains greater flexibility in managing suppliers and adjusting order volumes,' said an industry source, who requested anonymity. 'It also opens the door for new suppliers and possible restructuring of the supply chain.' For Korean firms, the move could be both a risk and an opportunity, sources said. Samsung Display and LG Display would need to realign their production timelines and approval cycles, which could now be split by model type. However, some industry watchers say the change might help stabilize factory utilization rates and improve yield management throughout the year. The launch of Apple's rumored first foldable iPhone and a new slim model, expected in the latter half of 2026, is also seen as a positive sign for maintaining demand for premium OLED panels. 'Although there's concern over potential gaps in first-half volumes, high-end models such as foldable and the Pro series should help fill the void,' another anonymous source said. 'The key will be how the supply of LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) panels is allocated.' Analysts also say the change could help resolve the chronic 'weak performance first half, strong performance second half' pattern in the display sector, driven largely by seasonal demand peaks like Black Friday and Christmas. Spreading out iPhone shipments could result in more balanced quarterly earnings for firms like Samsung Display and LG Display. 'Apple is not cutting back on models — it's expanding its lineup and adjusting the launch schedule,' said an analyst at a local brokerage, who asked for anonymity. 'That could significantly reduce the earnings volatility caused by seasonality.' Other key suppliers, including LG Innotek and Samsung Electro-Mechanics, will also see ripple effects. LG Innotek, which generates roughly 80 percent of its revenue from Apple, provides camera modules, while Samsung Electro-Mechanics supplies high-performance MLCCs and FC-BGAs for iPhones. A biannual launch cycle would force these firms to overhaul their supply planning, production calendars and inventory strategies. They have concentrated production in the second quarter to meet Apple's September launch, with revenues typically recognized in the third quarter, creating a distinct backloaded earnings structure. 'If Apple follows through with this change, it will be more than a marketing decision. It will be a structural shift that affects the entire supply chain,' said another source familiar with the matter. 'The long-standing concentration of earnings in the third quarter may no longer hold starting next year.'
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
OLED Q1 Earnings Call: Blue Milestone, Tariff Impacts, and Revenue Outlook Discussed
OLED provider Universal Display (NASDAQ:OLED) reported Q1 CY2025 results topping the market's revenue expectations , but sales were flat year on year at $166.3 million. The company expects the full year's revenue to be around $670 million, close to analysts' estimates. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.35 per share was 20.2% above analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy OLED? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $166.3 million vs analyst estimates of $155.6 million (flat year on year, 6.8% beat) Adjusted EPS: $1.35 vs analyst estimates of $1.12 (20.2% beat) Adjusted EBITDA: $80.76 million vs analyst estimates of $71.93 million (48.6% margin, 12.3% beat) The company reconfirmed its revenue guidance for the full year of $670 million at the midpoint Operating Margin: 41.9%, up from 38% in the same quarter last year Free Cash Flow Margin: 10.5%, down from 39.3% in the same quarter last year Inventory Days Outstanding: 447, up from 422 in the previous quarter Market Capitalization: $7.28 billion Universal Display's first quarter results were driven by steady licensing revenue and ongoing demand for its OLED (organic light-emitting diode) materials, particularly in IT and smartphone applications. Management cited a recent uptick in orders, which they believe was influenced by customers responding to new tariff developments. CEO Steve Abramson described recent progress with blue phosphorescent OLED technology—highlighted by LG Display's announcement of successful commercialization—as a notable step for the company and its customers. Looking forward, Universal Display maintained its revenue guidance for the year, noting that market dynamics remain unpredictable due to global trade tensions and the timing of new technology adoption. CFO Brian Millard stated, 'We continue to believe our revenues will be in the range of $640 million to $700 million,' and emphasized the company's focus on innovation and supply chain resilience as key to navigating volatility in the near term. Universal Display's management attributed the flat year-on-year revenue in Q1 to balancing steady licensing income with shifts in material sales. The company's commentary focused on several pivotal developments in OLED technology, supply chain, and customer trends that shaped the quarter and set the stage for future growth. Blue OLED Commercialization Milestone: LG Display's public announcement of successful commercial-level performance using Universal Display's blue phosphorescent material was described as a significant development. Management stressed that blue OLED is critical for improving energy efficiency and enabling broader adoption across smartphones and IT devices. Material Sales Mix: The quarter saw reduced green emitter sales offset by stable red emitter sales, reflecting variable customer purchasing patterns. Management noted that adoption timing and customer inventory management continued to impact quarterly material sales. Tariff-Driven Order Timing: An uptick in orders was observed in April, which management linked to customers anticipating new or increased tariffs. This trend was viewed as likely pulling forward some demand that may have otherwise occurred later in the year. Tandem Architecture Trends: The company highlighted the growing use of tandem OLED structures—where two emissive layers are stacked—to improve device lifetime, especially in IT products like tablets and monitors. However, the adoption in smartphones remains limited. Supply Chain and Manufacturing Diversification: Universal Display pointed to its expanded manufacturing footprint, including a new facility in Ireland, as a strategic move to ensure flexibility and resilience amid global supply chain uncertainties. Management's outlook for the remainder of the year centers on technology milestones, customer adoption of new OLED architectures, and the unpredictability surrounding global trade and tariffs. Blue OLED Adoption: The pace at which customers, especially large panel makers, integrate blue phosphorescent OLED into commercial products will be a key determinant of revenue growth and margin expansion. Tariff and Trade Environment: Ongoing changes in tariff policy could accelerate or delay customer orders, impacting revenue timing and possibly creating volatility in quarterly results. Product Roadmap Expansion: The company's push into new applications—including automotive and advanced IT devices—may broaden its addressable market, but actual uptake will depend on customer product launches and consumer demand. Tyler Bisset (Goldman Sachs): Asked how LG Display's blue OLED milestone affects adoption timelines and pricing. Management said product launch timing is up to customers and that pricing discussions are ongoing. James Ricchiuti (Needham & Company): Sought clarification on the commercial viability of pure phosphorescent blue solutions. Management explained that customer approaches vary and emphasized the efficiency benefits of phosphorescent materials. Mehdi Hosseini (SIG): Questioned whether the current blue implementation is a bridge to wider adoption. Management noted the tandem structure is mainly for high-end devices, with broader rollout dependent on further advancements. Scott Searle (ROTH Capital Partners): Asked about the impact of tariffs on order timing. Management confirmed increased orders in April were likely due to tariff concerns, but full-year guidance remains unchanged. Nam Kim (Arete Research): Inquired about the use of Universal Display's blue host materials and the relevance of tandem versus single-layer structures. Management declined to discuss specific customer recipes but confirmed ongoing development in both areas. Looking ahead, the StockStory team will be monitoring (1) the pace and breadth of blue phosphorescent OLED adoption across major customer product lines, (2) any further shifts in customer order patterns tied to evolving tariff and trade policies, and (3) developments in tandem and single-layer OLED architectures, particularly in IT and smartphone markets. Progress in these areas will be central to Universal Display's growth trajectory. Universal Display currently trades at a forward EV-to-EBITDA ratio of 33.1×. Is the company at an inflection point that warrants a buy or sell? The answer lies in our free research report. Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election sent major indices to all-time highs, but stocks have retraced as investors debate the health of the economy and the potential impact of tariffs. While this leaves much uncertainty around 2025, a few companies are poised for long-term gains regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate, like our Top 5 Growth Stocks for this month. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 176% over the last five years. Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Kadant (+351% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.
