LG Display in-cell displays enter mass production
updated 07:23 am EDT, Thu August 23, 2012
LG Display set to supply Apple with in-cell touch displays
LG has used a press conference to tell the world that it is now producing mobile panels featuring in-cell touch screen display technology, reports WSJ. Although the company did not indicate the size of the mobile displays it is producing, one of the oft repeated rumors about the upcoming next-generation iPhone is that it will feature a 4-inch display using in-cell technology. LG Display is already acknowledged as one of Apple's display manufacturing partners, with the timing of the announcement in line with reports that Apple plans to announce the eagerly anticipated device on September 12.
"We had some hard times (in developing the new in-cell technology) at first...but it seems those hard times have finally ended," Han Sang-beom, LG Display's chief executive said on Wednesday.
"The in-cell technology is the industry's latest development. [But] we will be able to supply the panels without any fail," Mr. Han said.
While LG is making the displays for Apple, it is unclear who owns the IP for the technology that LG is using. Apple was recently awarded a patentfor in-cell display technology, suggesting a high probability that LG may be manufacturing the displays using the method outlined in the Apple patent.
If so, it could mean that Apple will have an extended run in the market with what could be a unique selling point, as it did with the Retina display technology - at least in LCD displays. Samsung is also known to be working on implementing a similar process with its AMOLED displays.
