Ultra HD (4K) TVs are expected to make up 23.7% of LCD TV shipments in 2016, up 9.3pp on year. Because of the increase, demand for LEDs used in TV backlighting applications will rise and approximately 20-30% more LEDs will be used in 4K TVs over Full HD units, according to Digitimes Research.
A variety of 4K TVs ranging from direct-type LEDs, HDR and Quantum Dot will push the demand and an increase in the overall TV size shipped will push up demand as well. Larger-size TVs sized 50-inch and above size are expected to have a bigger market share in 2016.
Additionally, direct-type LED TVs are expected to hold a 65% proportion of LED TVs shipped in 2016 and 35% for edge-lit units, bringing steady demand for LEDs, said Digitimes Research.
Meanwhile, Korea TV vendors are looking to use flip-chip technology in order to reduce the amount of LEDs needed and to save on costs, said Digitimes Research, adding that OLED TVs currently do not pose a threat to LED makers since OLED TVs are expected to make up less than 1% of overall TVs shipped in 2016.