Embedded touch solution, surpass add-on touch in notebook PC display

[테크월드=이나리 기자] As embedded touch solution becomes more affordable, panel makers of embedded touch screens are looking to extend their footprint into the notebook PC market.

According to the Touch Panel Market Tracker from IHS Markit, embedded touch panels, including on-cell and in-cell TFT LCDs, are expected to expand its share to more than 50% of the notebook PC touch panel market in 2017 from 33.5% in 2016, topping add-on touch panels.

As the notebook PC demand slowly declined, PC brands have searched for attractive features to encourage replacement demand, thus more affordable touch screen has become an option. Also, users now seem to be more accepting of touch functions on laptops, particularly as Windows 10 allows greater touch-based user experience.

Given that embedded touch solution offers thinner panel dimensions with stronger cover glass, as compared to add-on solutions, including projected capacitive touch and resistive touch solutions, brands are now showing a stronger preference for embedded solutions. Dell and HP are expected to continue adopting embedded touch solutions in their products.

Total touch module shipments to the notebook PC market slipped 7% in 2016 year-on-year to 18.3 million units, mainly due to the weak set demand. However, shipments of on-cell TFT LCDs almost tripled in 2016 y/y to 4.8 million units, accounting for 26.3% of the total notebook PC panel shipments.

IHS Markit estimates that shipments of on-cell TFT LCDs will reach 8.4 million units in 2017, with a 40% share, as more supplies from AUO and BOE are expected. Meanwhile, LG Display is focusing on its proprietary in-cell TFT LCD solution, trying to expand its share to 12.2% in 2017 from 7% in 2016. 

If embedded touch solutions achieve more than 50% of the notebook PC market, this would be the first time that they win the 10-inch to 20-inch segment, where add-on touch solution has traditionally dominated. This could also lead to the overall expansion of touch screen shares in the notebook PC panel market, from 11% in 2016 to 15% in 2020.