As demand for more advanced screens in modern vehicles increases, Samsung Display is preparing to supply next-generation displays to carmakers. The Korean firm plans to develop all of its future automotive OLED display panels using two-tandem technology, according to TheElec. This will help the company attract more premium customers.
Samsung to expand two-tandem OLED production
Two tandem, also known as two-stack tandem OLED, is a screen technology that uses two layers of light-emitting material instead of one. This display tech helps the screen last longer and maintains power consumption more efficiently. This is very useful for car owners if they want to use the car display for longer periods. Other advantages include greater durability and higher brightness.
So far, Samsung Display has mainly been producing single-stack OLED panels for cars. While it has made some two tandem OLED panels, these are only a small part of its business. For example, the Korean display maker once supplied two tandem panels to Audi. Now, Samsung Display plans to focus more on two tandem OLED panels for future car display products.
Besides the new panel type, the company is also planning to use a protective technology called encapsulation in car displays. Previously, it adopted a technique that has a glass substrate and encapsulation for protection called rigid OLED. However, Samsung has now developed new types of OLED panels:
1. Flexible OLED: It uses a plastic substrate (polyimide) instead of glass and a thin-film encapsulation (TFE) layer for protection. It allows the screen to be bent or curved into different shapes.
2. Hybrid OLED: It uses both the glass base and TFE protection. The best thing is that it is cheaper while offering some of the advantages of flexible OLED.
These new types of displays are being developed in response to what carmakers are requesting. Due to increasing demand from Chinese customers, such as Li Auto, the company’s OLED panel shipments increased significantly last year. Now, by manufacturing flexible OLED panels with the two-tandem technology, Samsung hopes to lure more high-end car manufacturers.
