Mass production of OLED TVs delayed to late 2013

Korea Times reports both Samsung and LG have delayed their plan to mass produce 55-inch OLED TVs this year as the companies are struggling with poor manufacturing yields. Originally anticipated to be available during the London Olympics, it now looks like OLED TVs will not enter mass production until late next year.

Market research firm DisplaySearch estimates OLED TV shipments will hit barely 500 units this year, down from the 50,000 they had earlier expected.

Higher prices are another key factor. Samsung’s 55-inch OLED TV costs over $9,000 or some 10 million won, while the price of the same size set by LG is expected to be around $8,000.


“While demand will increase to as many as 2.1 million sets by 2017, this will still represent less than 1 percent of the total LCD market share,’’ said iSuppli TV systems and technology research director Tom Morrod.