China makers' shipments of touch panels used in handsets, tablets and notebooks grew 32.6%, 0.3% and 32.2%, respectively, on quarter in the second quarter of 2014, according to Digitimes Research.
Tablet touch panel shipments decreased as Samsung lowered its orders and shifted to purchasing from Korea-based makers while demand increased for 4G handsets in China, which spurred a wave of growth for handset touch panels.
Looking ahead to the second half of 2014, 4G demand will continue to spur handset touch panel shipments, with Lenovo and Huawei Device expected to put in large orders. In terms of tablets, Intel will further push white-box units in the China market, driving new growth in the tablet touch panel segment.
Touch panel maker Laibao meanwhile has increased yields at its notebook touch panel facilities in Chongqing, China, and will supply China-based second- and third-tier vendors with various touch technologies.
In the third quarter of 2014, Digitimes Research estimates China makers' shipments of touch panels used in handsets, tablets and notebooks will climb 8.4%, 20.6% and 28.8% respectively on quarter followed by increased shipment growth for handset and tablet touch panels at 8.7% and 10.1% respectively in the fourth quarter of 2014.
