AU Optronics, or AUO, is probably not a company you discuss on a daily basis, or maybe even at all. That might change soon following their announcement of the worlds slimmest border on a 4.46-inch display. The border around the display is a mere 1mm thick, or 0.039-inches, presenting a true full screen environment on all four sides of the device’s screen, and a display resolution of 720p.
The company claims that they are the first to develop this narrow border technology for 4.46-inch cell phone screens and touch panel integration technology. According to the press release, this new technology allows image and video content to appear larger in frame size as well while running in better quality.
In the news release posted today, the company offered a statement from one of its executives on their industry leading technology:
“As portable smart devices become prevalent and the size of mobile displays grow larger, audio-video entertainment, interactive games and content downloading have emerged at the top of consumers’ demand list,” said Mr. T.K. Wu, AUO’s VP & GM of Mobile Solutions Business Group. “AUO proactively develops the latest technologies including AMOLED and IGZO and excels by introducing ultra high-resolution, ultra wide viewing angle and super narrow border technologies. Mobile devices in the future will become lighter and smaller, color and image quality will also be all the more impressive, offering customers even more innovative solutions to choose from.”
AUO is well-known for their development in the field of low temperature poly-silicon (LTPS) technology, which allows the screen to operate in high quality while reducing heat (as the name suggests) and energy consumption. Also promoted in the press release was their development of ultra-slim high-resolution 10-inch panel technology, which should start showing up on tablets in the near future. This 10-inch model is just 1.5mm thick and offers formidable power saving for future tablets while displaying at 2560×1600.
The company also released information on their 4.65-inch OLED, AMOLED, IGZO and AHVA (Advanced Hyper-Viewing Angle) developments, all of which promise to open up more display options for manufacturers. No statements were made by the company as to which carriers or manufacturers would be picking up their new technology, but it seems like only a matter of time before we start seeing more AUO screen technology on the market.
The full text of the news release:
AU Optronics Corp. (“AUO” or the “Company”) (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO), today announced the world’s narrowest border (*) on its 4.46-inch cell phone and touch panel integration technology. AUO’s proprietary super narrow border technology and low temperature poly-silicon (LTPS) method are applied to reduce the border width to just 1mm when touch panel is placed on the module surface, allowing the screen to appear in its largest at the cell phone’s display area. In addition, AMOLED, IGZO (indium gallium zinc oxide) and AHVA (Advanced Hyper-Viewing Angle) technologies are being developed by AUO to constantly drive the trends for ultra high-resolution, ultra wide viewing angle and super narrow border technologies.
“As portable smart devices become prevalent and the size of mobile displays grow larger, audio-video entertainment, interactive games and content downloading have emerged at the top of consumers’ demand list,” said Mr. T.K. Wu, AUO’s VP & GM of Mobile Solutions Business Group. “AUO proactively develops the latest technologies including AMOLED and IGZO and excels by introducing ultra high-resolution, ultra wide viewing angle and super narrow border technologies. Mobile devices in the future will become lighter and smaller, color and image quality will also be all the more impressive, offering customers even more innovative solutions to choose from.”
AUO has successfully developed AHVA panels ranging from 3 inches to 15.6 inches and has included them to a full array of mobile device applications, such as digital camera, smartphone, e-reader, car display, tablet and Ultrabook. AUO’s 4.97-inch Full HD AHVA Mobile Display, which has entered mass production, is made with LTPS process and has full HD resolution of 1080×1920 (443ppi). The display is to satiate consumers’ ultimate quest for exquisite image quality.
Industry-Leading Ultra High Resolution, Super Narrow Border and Ultra Wide Viewing Angle Technologies
AUO is the first to present the world’s narrowest border on its 4.46-inch cell phone and touch panel integration technology, with a high-resolution of HD720 and the width of mere 1mm from display area to touch panel border, maximizing the display area available. Image and video content appear larger in frame size, and also better in quality.
With the resolution of current OLED panels ranging from 200 to 300ppi, AUO reveals 4.65-inch AMOLED panel technology which employs the Company’s proprietary pixel design with resolution as high as 317ppi. The panel is capable of exhibiting sharper quality for texts, and refined and realistic image property. Meanwhile, power could be saved to prolong the OLED lifetime.
AUO is also introducing its ultra-slim high-resolution 10-inch panel technology with application to tablets. The IGZO method is adopted to achieve a high-resolution of 2560×1600, which delicately demonstrates the fineness and details of the image. With transmittance increased by 12% and thickness of the backlight unit reduced by 60% (as compared to conventional models), the panel is only 1.5mm thick and saves more power. The features herald the trend towards power-saving slim displays with high-resolution.
* Based on the available market research information as of October 29, 2012.
Source: AUO