This year, smartphone displays with 18:9 aspect ratio have been empowering new flagship products from top brands such as LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics. Apple is also expected to adopt this new format display in its upcoming iPhone 8 models.
Sony, Google, top Chinese brands and many others are expected to launch new models with this format in the second half of 2017. Can 18:9 smartphone displays be game changers by opening up new opportunities?
LG Display Introduced QHD Plus 18:9 format TFT LCD Smartphone DisplayLG Display introduced its 5.7@ QHD Plus (1440x2880) IPS LCD display with 18:9 or (2: 1) format in January 2017. It empowered LG Electronics’ G6 flagship product, providing a bigger display and more immersive viewing. The unique aspect ratio is also optimized for multitasking using dual screen functions. LG Display used its own in-cell-touch technology to have a slimmer module (without cover glass), offering a reduced bezel width, increased transmittance (by 10%) to improve outdoor visibility and reduced power consumption (by 30%). It helped LG to create a thinner and lighter smartphone by eliminating the touch cover glass. The LG G6 product was also Dolby Vision/HDR 10 compliant.
However, this was the first time smartphone market saw this new unique format and it was not clear if others would follow the trend.

Samsung Launched an 18.5:9 Aspect Ratio Super AMOLED Infinity DisplayIn March 2017, Samsung Electronics introduced the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus products, which included Samsung Display’s Super AMOLED flexible 5.8" and 6.2" display each with 2960 x 1440 pixel resolution and 18.5:9 aspect ratio. Products received rave reviews for the AMOLED display performance and bezel free infinity displays and the mmersive experience they delivered. The unique aspect ratio of the display enabled an expanded display size without requiring a larger device. The Galaxy S8 screen was designated as a Mobile HDR Premium product. HDR (High Dynamic Ratio) is gaining higher importance for TV and video viewing by offering better display performance. Next generation products are bringing HDR to mobile smartphone displays.
The new format offers increased effective display area, allowing better multitasking and video viewing

The new format enables an increase in effective display area without increasing the overall physical size of the device. It can show more content from webpages, and more information in the case of email or text. The 18:9 aspect ratio display panel is twice as long as its width (2:1). Users can have two identical squares side by side using two applications simultaneously via Android’s multitasking functionality. Currently, there is not enough content that is optimised in 18:9 formats. Most of videos in the current market are in 16:9 format and applications need to be optimized for the new format. Netflix and Amazon have started filming some of their well-known series in this format, along with movie studios. Google has also asked developers to optimize applications in the 18:9 formats.
Apple, Google, Sony and Top Chinese Brands Expected to Adopt Similar Aspect RatioMany have speculated  that Apple will adopt AMOLED flexible display with a similar aspect ratio to Samsung. Top Chinese brands such as Huawei, Oppo, Vivo and others are expected to roll out new models with 18:9 aspect ratio formats in 2H 2017. There has been a lot of speculation about Google and Sony following the same trends with their products. Some brands will announce their new models at IFA 2017.
JDI Starting Mass production of 18:9 LTPS DisplayJDI announced in June 2017, that it has started mass production of LTPS smartphone display in 18:9 aspect ratio and that the displays has a slim bezel design on all four display sides. This was achieved by adopting a new high density wiring layout and new processing module assembly technology. According to the company, this newly designed LCD module structure will allow smartphone device to be nearly the same as the display size contributing to new smartphone design. JDI also added its Pixel Eyes technology to the display, enabling thinner borders and deeper black levels.


Suppliers Ramping up a-Si TFT-LCD 18:9 Display PanelsWith increasing demand for OLED smartphone displays and increased production of LTPS displays, a-Si TFT display demand has been going down. Few brands such as Samsung and Apple will be able to get enough supply of OLED panels for new 18:9 models. Other brands have to consider LCD displays for 18:9 products. Even though most of the announcements for new 18:9 products are flagship high end models, some suppliers are also planning to introduce them for their mid-range products. This has given an opportunity to a-Si suppliers to offer display panels in new formats, increasing demand for that technology. Many Taiwanese and Chinese a-Si display suppliers are starting to ramp up production..
Smartphones with 18:9 display, Can They be a Game Changer?Smartphone demand growth rate has slowed down in recent quarters. The new format display has several advantages that may help smartphone market growth.

• Provides larger display area for the same diagonal screen size compared to 16:9.
• Offers better design options and flexibility to smartphone suppliers with long slim design and slim or no bezel
• Enables thinner, lighter, slimmer, taller form factor with higher resolutions and higher performance display
• Can offer differentiated products with unique aspect ratio to spur demand
• Supported by wide range of display technologies (AMOLED flexible and rigid display, LTPS and a-Si TFT LCD display) enabling both high-end and mid-range products.
• New format display already in production at Samsung Display, LG Display and JDI.
• LCD suppliers from Taiwan (Innolux, AUO, CPT, and Hannstar) and China (BOE and Tianma) are ramping up production in 2H 2017.
• Smartphone suppliers (LG Electronics and Samsung) have already adopted this format in their flagship products. Apple, Sony, Google, and top China brands (Huawei, Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi and others) are expected to join in 2H 2017.

With increased supply, new model introductions at different price levels, the 18:9 aspect ratio display can drive demand opening up new opportunities for the display and smartphone industry. - Sweta Dash (Reposted from Display Daily)

The display and smartphone industries are buzzing with expectations about foldable smartphone displays that can spur replacement demand and bring stronger growth to a mature market. Smartphone demand growth-rates have been slowing down in recent years as the market is maturing.
New innovative designs and form factors are expected to help boost replacement demand, especially in mature markets. Can the reality of foldable flexible displays meet the high expectations of the industry and be the panacea for the next generation of smartphones? Or will the reality of manufacturing challenges, supply constraints, high costs and high prices cause demand to lag industry expectations?
Foldable smartphones in the near futureSamsung is expected to introduce its first foldable smartphones in the market in the near future. There is talk in the industry about Samsung’s “Galaxy X” foldable phones prototypes, which are expected  to arrive in 2017 in limited numbers to test product designs, consumer interest and the durability of foldable design.
However, many display industry people believe foldable phones can only be ready for volume production in 2019, as technology needs more time to mature. New foldable phones are expected to have two OLED display panels with a hinge in the middle but that can be unfolded for a seamless view. For example, a display can be 5" diagonal when used as cellphone that can be rolled out to an 8-inch tablet.
Samsung privately showed a foldable phone concept at the 2013 CES, yet it is still not commercialized. The technology needs more development time. Besides Samsung, many other companies are working on foldable phone prototypes. Patent applications from companies such as Apple and others gives some clues about what to expect in future. Some of the patent designs have showed clamshell-type phones. Foldable products can be unidirectional, bi-directional; and can have single fold or multiple folds providing design flexibility.
Thin, light unbreakable larger displays in a smaller form factorFoldable display is considered to be the second generation product for flexible display technology. The third generation is considered to be rollable one and the fourth gen products will be stretchable.
Current flexible display products are passively flexible (or conformable i.e. flexed just once during manufacture, then fixed, like the Samsung Edge phones - Man. Ed.) whereas the next generation products will be actively flexible or foldable. While the display curvature radius of current generation flexible displays may be 8mm, foldable display curvature will be 1-3mm and providing the ability to bend multiple times without degradation.
Stretchable display curvature radius can be less than 1mm. The true potential of foldable display is that it can offer thin, light, unbreakable larger displays for smartphone in a smaller form factor. For display and smartphone suppliers it is expected to offer increase in demand growth-rates, higher ASP and higher profitability. Some customers may be looking for a combination of smartphone and tablet in a smaller form factor than current phablets. That is why top smartphone suppliers like Samsung, Apple, Chinese brands and many others are focusing on foldable displays for smartphones.
Challenges need to be resolvedThere are many challenges for foldable display that need to be overcome before reality can match expectations. At the SID 2017 Display week, Dr. Huang (VP at Visionox) talked about the challenges. Foldable displays based on AMOLED with plastic substrates are believed to have great potential to generate novel products. However for small bending radius, foldable display modules face challenges in both materials and process technologies.
Jun Souk, professor at Hanyang University said at the 2016 Displayweek, that all layers of foldable display (panel, touch sensors, polarizer and cover plate) need to be foldable, durable and transparent. It will need flexible OLEDs, with touch sensors such as AgNW or Metal Mesh, flexible adhesive, bendable thin polarizer and flexible window covers. All the layers need to be durable and to be able to withstand multiple bending.
OLED is in the forefront for foldableOLED display technology is in the forefront for foldable display. Combined with printable OLED manufacturing capabilities- it has the potential to enable lower-cost flexible, foldable, and stretchable display in future. Flexible OLED is expected to gain market share in the smartphone market due to its innovative design differentiation.
Many suppliers were showing foldable smartphone panels at DisplayWeek 2017. Samsung Display has been in the forefront of mobile flexible and foldable OLED. Currently many other suppliers are entering the market especially from China. BOE, Tianma, and many others were showcasing flexible as well as foldable OLED for smartphone at the conference.
JDI was showing a 5.5" FHD flexible OLED with 401 PPI with SBS-OLED. Tianma showed a 5.5" flexible AMOLED display with ultra narrow borders, and ultra thin thickness that folded inwards at R3mm. AUO showed a foldable 5-inch 1280x 720 OLED display with plastic substrate that can be bent more than 1 million times. Still it needs two more years for mass production which is expected in 2019.


LTPS LCD coming with new design for smartphonesIn general, LCD is lagging behind OLED in terms of flexible and foldable display. But at Displayweek 2017, JDI showcased a new design concepts using two thin LTPS LCD with very slim borders that can be incorporated into a foldable design for smartphones. The company showcased a full active 5.5" FHD LCD with 401 PPI, with four edge free designs, which was realized by pursuing a high-density layout, process and bonding technology. It is expected to bring new value through product design and users interface freedom.
Foldable Display technology need more time to matureEven though the potential future of next generation foldable displays is very promising, there are many challenges including process technology, materials, manufacturing issues, high capex, higher costs, high price for consumer device, durability of the products, design acceptance by consumers, and consumer willingness to pay higher prices for the new designs. Therefore, foldable display technology needs more time to develop for reality to meet expectations, before it can be a panacea for the next gen smartphone market.
Sweta Dash (Reposted from Display Daily)