Digitimes reports that China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT) will invest CNY35 billion (US$5.08 billion) to set up a Gen 6 line flexible AMOLED panels using LTPS (low-temperature poly-Si) TFT-LCD backplanes in Wuhan City, central China.
The factory will have monthly production capacity of 45,000 glass substrates and CSOT, which is subsidary of TCL Group, will adopt flexible organic evaporation manufacturing process matched with flexible touch panels and flexible cover glass.
With initial production to begin in second-quarter 2019 and volume production in first-half 2020, the factory will produce 3- to 12-inch high-resolution flexible AMOLED panels for smartphones and tablets.
Apple is expected to adopt AMOLED panels for a new iPhone model to be launched in 2017 and not to be left behind tier-1 Chinese smartphone vendors such as Huawei Technologies, Oppo and Vivo are expected to follow suit for their high-end models.