South Korean panel makers are expected to be beneficiaries due to Apple's shift to OLED.

Apple plans to incorporate OLED displays into its new iPad model to be released next year, which will be the first iPad to feature an OLED display.

Samsung and LG Display are reviewing investments in the necessary equipment. There are reports that they have been negotiating with equipment suppliers.

Since Chinese panel makers are offering cheaper LCD panels, Korean panel makers are converting LCD production lines to OLED production lines. This shift is beneficial to Korean material and equipment suppliers.

A South Korean industry official said: "The transition to OELD in the small and medium-sized panel market is accelerating, as these are a superior, next-generation display. This transition is beneficial to local manufacturers since competitors have yet to catch up in OLED technology."

While Samsung has focused on OLED panels for smartphones for a long time, LG has concentrated on OLED panels for TVs. But LG is quickly catching up in the market for mid-to small-sized displays and is set to accelerate as LG has a more solid relationship with Apple.

LG Display is developing panels for a foldable iPhone model, which is expected to be available as soon as 2023.

Comparing with LCD, OLED panels are thinner, lighter, featuring improved picture quality. These panels also have superior contrast levels, color expression, and brightness. However, the price of OLED panels is much higher since the current OLED production volume is lower than the LCDs. (The Korea Times)