Smartphone AMOLEDs to be Cheaper than LCDs in 2 years

In two years, 5-inch AMOLED screen panels will be cheaper than their LCD equivalents according to market researchers at NPD DisplaySearch.

The drop in price will be realised as the yield from AMOLED production lines increases and finally reaches 90%. Currently an AMOLED smartphone display is 10-20% more expensive than an LCD screen.

This difference will disappear over the next two years, as advances in production technique increase yields of small screen fabrication. A benefit will also be felt if the price of AMOLED materials can be brought down.

Jimmy Kim, a senior analyst at NPD DisplaySearch, says: 'If AMOLED costs fall below LCDs, as expected, it would lead to more opportunities for the OLED display industry, greater competition with LCD, and more choices for consumers.'