Samsung Display has commenced shipments of paid samples for its 8.6-generation IT OLED panels, with recent confirmation that the production yield rate has exceeded 80%. The company plans to begin mass production for official customer supply as early as June this year. Samsung Display's strategy is to rapidly accelerate mass production based on stable yield rates, aiming to widen the gap with competing panel manufacturers from China.
The 8.6-generation OLED technology is considered a potential game-changer in the display industry. Compared to the currently predominant 6th-generation production lines, the glass substrate used is approximately 2.25 times larger, which enhances production efficiency and reduces costs. Samsung Display took a lead in the industry by manufacturing and shipping paid samples from its 8.6-Gen line to customers starting in January of this year.
According to industry reports, the yield rate for these 8.6-gen IT OLED panels has recently surpassed 80%. Following the sample shipments in January, Samsung Display is advancing towards full-scale mass production, targeting June or July for the full rollout of OLED panels for customer products. These OLED panels are expected to be featured in new Apple MacBook models scheduled for release next year.
In April 2023, Samsung Display announced an investment of approximately 41 trillion Korean won to establish a production line with a monthly capacity of 15,000 panels. A company representative stated that the recent yield rate for the 8.6-gen OLEDs has exceeded 80%, mass production is proceeding smoothly, and shipments to customers will proceed according to schedule.
The company plans to mass-produce 14-inch and 16-inch panels for Apple's MacBook Pro using the 8.6-Gen line, with an estimated total supply of around 3 million units for Apple. Last month, the CEO of Samsung Display commented on the progress of the 8.6-gen OLED business, stating that overall development is proceeding favorably. The company intends to quickly ramp up mass production to solidify its lead over rival panel makers who are aggressively catching up.