As a type of self-illuminating technology, the PMOLED has long been underestimated by the market. In actuality, it is a highly malleable display technology with a vast scope of applications and product types. It is also the type of display technology with the highest potential for applications.

Although the display dimensions and resolution of PMOLED is not as good as AMOLED, it features characteristics such as low power consumption, a light weight, wide viewing angles, and deflection, making it an excellent display technology. In addition, the manufacturing cost of PMOLED is far lower than for AMOLED technology which gives device developers high flexibility and allows for more creativity to carry out product designs.

Humphrey Lin, Marketing Manager of WiseChip Semiconductor, stated that the minimum order quantity (MOQ) is very low for PMOLED, and this drastically lowers development cost pressures for developers. Consequently, they can implement more kinds of product development. In contrast, AMOLED products require developers to bear the brunt of development costs, which suppresses application possibilities.

WiseChip is Taiwan’s primary manufacturer of PMOLED display panels and currently the second largest PMOLED panel supplier globally with over fifteen years of PMOLED manufacturing experience. Their PMOLED display panel applications are extremely diverse and include monochrome, multi-color, full-color, square, rectangular, and round shapes as well as size dimensions from 1 cm to over 10 cm.

Figure 2: PMOLED features characteristics such as low power consumption, a light weight, wide viewing angles, and deflection, making it an excellent display technology.

“We have over one hundred different product types and products for over one thousand applications,” said Sean Lin, Manager of New products Division of WiseChip.

Currently there are a truly vast array of PMOLED applications which cross over into consumer electronics, home appliances, and industrial and Netcom applications, and they are gradually replacing traditional LCD TN panels. In recent years there has been a rise in wearable devices and automotive electronics, and PMOLED is beginning to enter into these two domains.

In response to these trends, WiseChip has launched a transparent PMOLED display panel with a 70% transparency rate (called TOLED by WiseChip). This formula can be used in automobile head rest applications or smart watch displays to fulfill the demand for transparent displays on products.

Figure 3: Transparent PMOLED UHD not only makes it possible to directly fit into car windshields but also simplifies the overall designs of devices. More important, it is capable of providing better display quality.

Sean Lin also stated that in comparison with projection type UHD products, the use of transparent PMOLED panels not only makes it possible to directly fit them into car windshields but also simplifies the overall designs of devices. More importantly, it is capable of providing better display quality.

In addition, WiseChip has also launched a monochrome flexible PMOLED display panel with a curvature of 40mm, and a resolution 256 * 60 for use on smartwatches and smart bracelets. This is the current new generation of WiseChip’s PMOLED products. WiseChip commented that currently there are several design-in development cases in progress for this type of panel.

Interestingly , although WiseChip is continually launching a new generation of PMOLED display products and technologies, they emphasize that they will not lead the direction of their client’s product development. On the contrary, they spend more time listening to their clients’ needs.

Figure 4: WiseChip launches a new flexible PMOLED display panel with a curvature of 40mm, and a resolution 256 * 60 for use on smartwatches and smart bracelets.

Perhaps this is a reversal of a master-slave type relationship, but it still highlights the value and distinctiveness of PMOLED display programs and gradually strengthens its competitiveness in the market.

Furthermore, WiseChip is extremely optimistic about the future development of PMOLED, and they believe that the popularization of VR, AR, and IoT applications will lead to more product applications for PMOLED displays.

“We only provide the most basic display functions, and then allow clients to see the product possibilities for themselves,” said Sean Lin.

(TR/ Phil Sweeney)