AU Optronics (AUO) originally planned to start volume production of small- to medium-sized AMOLED panels in the second quarter of 2012, but has to postpone its schedule to the third quarter due to technological difficulties, according to the company.
AUO is undertaking trial production of small- to medium-sized AMOLED panels at its 3.5G, with yield rates standing at less than 20%, according to industry sources. This is the reason for AUO has deferred volume production, the sources claimed.
AUO has obtained orders for 4.3-inch AMOLED panels from HTC and is likely to receive orders from Nokia, the sources indicated.
The 3.5G plant is designed to have a monthly AMOLED production capacity of 8,000 glass substrates. In addition, AUO will have its 4.5G plant in Singapore begin production of AMOLED panels at a monthly capacity of 15,000 glass substrates in the second half of 2012, the sources noted.
While Samsung Mobile Display has begun production of AMOLED panels at a 5.5G plant and China-based BOE Technology is setting up a 5.5G AMOLED production line, AUO has evaluated the feasibility of setting up a 5.5G AMOLED line and, based on the evaluation, is unlikely to do so, the sources said.
