Major Taiwan-based LCD driver IC players, including Novatek Microelectronics, Himax Technologies and Orise Technology, are set to enjoy continued sales growth in 2014 thanks to orders from China-based smartphone vendors, according to industry sources.
Players which can offer LCD driver ICs supporting higher display resolutions such as qHD, HD720 and Full HD, will gain a boost as China-based smartphone vendors are upgrading display panels used in their high-end models, instead of previous mainstream WVGA displays, indicated the sources.
Novatek, Himax and Orise have landed more orders for high-end driver ICs recently as these three firms all boast mature production lines for driver ICs supporting HD and above displays, the sources noted.
Shipments of LCD driver ICs supporting higher display resolutions, including HD and Full HD, currently account for 20% of Novatek's total driver IC shipments, said the sources, noting that Novatek is also able to supply IC parts supporting WQHD (2,560 by 1,440 pixels) displays.
However, keen competition in the segment will continue to press down the prices of HD and qHD driver ICs in 2014, commented the sources.
