Reports Indicate Samsung Display Accelerates 8.6-Gen IT OLED Mass Production Plan to 2025

Recently, Samsung Display stated in its Q3 earnings call, "The main equipment for the 8.6-gen OLED production line has been completed, and we are proceeding as planned with the 8.6-gen OLED for IT applications, aiming for mass production by 2026. We will reevaluate the timeline and scale of expansion based on the stability of the 8.6-gen IT line technology and market customer demand."

According to the latest media reports, sources indicate that Samsung Display has made plans to move up the mass production timeline for its 8.6-gen IT OLED, potentially launching as early as the end of 2025 instead of early 2026. Before supplying OLED panels to Apple for its IT devices, Samsung Display plans to first provide these 8.6-gen OLED panels to Samsung Electronics. Industry analysts believe that since this is Samsung Display's first attempt at mass-producing 8.6-gen OLED panels, the company is looking to allocate additional time to enhance product stability.

Reportedly, the glass substrate size for the 8.6-gen OLED is 2250mm x 2600mm, which more than doubles the size of 6-gen OLED substrates, resulting in significantly higher production efficiency. For instance, a 6-gen substrate can yield around 32 panels for 14-inch laptop screens, while an 8.6-gen substrate can produce up to 88 panels. Samsung Display’s investment in the 8.6-gen production line primarily aims to meet panel demand for Apple’s iPad and MacBook devices. However, as OLED technology increasingly replaces LCD in the IT sector, the 8.6-gen OLED line could also fulfill the needs of other clients, including Samsung Electronics.