[News] World’s First Gen-8.6 OLED Production Line Enters Mass Production and Begins Shipments

As per Chosun Ilbo, Samsung Display has officially achieved mass production of Gen-8.6 OLED panels, marking the world’s first production line of its kind to reach commercial output. Sources indicate that Samsung Display has already begun paid shipments of customer-validated samples with relatively high yields, which will be incorporated into new notebook computer models scheduled for release later this year.

Industry sources revealed that Samsung Display held a “shipment ceremony and safety blessing event” on January 15 at its Asan campus, celebrating the successful shipment and commissioning of the Gen-8.6 OLED production line.

Display industry sources commented that Samsung Display is moving aggressively to secure leadership in the IT OLED market. “Following its investment decision, the company began pilot operations in mid-2024 and started formally shipping samples to customers toward the end of the year,” the source said.

The report noted that Samsung Display aims to further consolidate its position in the IT OLED segment through this initial volume production. Speaking to reporters at CES 2026, Samsung Display President Lee Cheong stated, “The stable operation of the new Gen-8.6 production line is of great importance. If progress remains on track, we expect sales of IT-related products to grow by 20% to 30% this year.”

Compared with the currently mainstream Gen-6 OLED lines, Gen-8.6 OLED utilizes glass substrates that are 2.2 times larger, significantly improving production efficiency while further reducing manufacturing costs.

As previously reported, Samsung Display announced in 2023 that it would convert its L8 LCD line and construct a dedicated A6 line for IT OLED, establishing the world’s first Gen-8.6 OLED production line, with a planned investment of KRW 4.1 trillion. Market sources have indicated that the line is scheduled to achieve mass production in the second or third quarter of 2026, with panels expected to be supplied to Apple.

China’s largest display maker, BOE Technology Group, also announced in 2023 an investment of CNY 63 billion to build a Gen-8.6 OLED production line in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, with a monthly capacity of 32,000 glass substrates, formally kicking off an industry-wide race for Gen-8.6 OLED investments. Visionox and TCL CSOT subsequently joined the competition, while LG Display has yet to disclose any investment plans for a Gen-8.6 OLED line.

Analysts note that if Samsung Display successfully ramps Gen-8.6 OLED to full mass production, it will widen the gap with its competitors. Although growth in the PC, notebook, and tablet markets has moderated, the transition from LCD to OLED within these product categories is accelerating.

Industry observers added, “Once the Gen-8.6 OLED line is fully operational, Samsung Display will gain a clear pricing advantage. The newly launched OLED panels are expected to debut in Apple’s next-generation MacBook, and as the technology matures and expands into mobile OLED applications, Samsung Display is likely to further strengthen its industry leadership.”

(Photo credit: Samsung Display)