Samsung Display is set to begin mass production of its 8.6-generation OLED panels for IT applications at its A6 plant in Tangjeong, Asan, South Chungcheong Province starting Q2 2026. The production line is currently under construction and will commence trial operations by the end of this year. With BOE and Visionox also accelerating their OLED investments, the race for dominance in the next-gen OLED market is expected to intensify.



According to Korean media reports on June 13, Samsung Display's Phase 1 of the 8.6-gen OLED production line will align closely with the expected release of Apple’s OLED-based iPad Mini and MacBook models in the second half of 2026.

Apple has been steadily expanding its use of OLED panels since first adopting them in the iPhone X in 2017. After integrating OLED into the Apple Watch (2018), and the iPhone 12 lineup (2020), Apple launched its first OLED iPad Pro last year. The tech giant is now planning to bring OLED displays to its MacBook Pro series as early as next year.

The 8.6-generation OLED panels use larger glass substrates measuring 2290mm x 2620mm, compared to the 6th generation’s 1500mm x 1850mm. This larger substrate size allows more OLED panels to be produced per sheet, enhancing production efficiency and cost competitiveness—especially for larger displays used in laptops and tablets.

With Samsung monitors leading the charge, mass production competition in 8.6-gen IT OLED is set to heat up next year. BOE is constructing its own 8.6-gen OLED production line in Chengdu, Sichuan, with mass production targeted for late 2026. The project has already moved ahead of schedule, with equipment installation starting four months early and production now expected to begin as soon as October.

Visionox is also on track to begin mass production as early as the end of next year and is currently procuring heavy equipment for the new line. LG Display remains the only major player yet to announce a definitive investment in 8.6-gen OLED, opting to wait for further market stabilization before making a move.



Samsung monitors is expected to take the early lead in this next-generation OLED segment. With Apple's expanding OLED lineup—including OLED MacBooks and tablets—the demand for IT OLED panels is projected to surge. Market research firm DSCC forecasts that demand for hybrid OLEDs in IT devices such as tablets and laptops will reach 18.9 million units in 2026, up more than 56% from 12.1 million this year and 8.1 million in 2024.