TCL CSOT has achieved a pixel density of over 350 pixels per inch (PPI) on its inkjet OLED panels. The company uses an RGB sub-pixel arrangement with equally sized sub-pixels, which eliminates the size imbalance typically seen in FMM OLEDs, especially with the larger blue pixels. Zhou stated that the blue OLED device’s LT95@100nits lifespan will reach 400 hours by 2026, a tenfold improvement over 2020 figures.

The company claims its inkjet OLED panels have an aperture ratio three times higher than conventional fine metal mask (FMM) OLED displays. This improvement is expected to enhance brightness efficiency and extend the overall durability of the panels.

TCL CSOT currently operates a Gen 5.5 inkjet OLED line at its T5 facility in Wuhan. It manufactured 21.6-inch medical OLED panels using this process in late 2024. The new Gen-8 line will support larger substrates, which are better suited for televisions and monitors.

During the forum, Zhou also highlighted potential applications for the technology. TCL CSOT has developed a 6.5-inch smartphone panel with 325PPI, a 14-inch 2.8K laptop display with 243PPI, a 27-inch 4K monitor with 163PPI, and a 65-inch 8K TV panel with 136PPI. The company displayed several of these prototypes at SID 2025.

The Gen-8 investment marks a strategic step for TCL CSOT as it aims to compete with South Korean display makers in the high-end OLED market.

In related news, Cerence has filed an IP complaint against Sony and TCL over the use of its voice technology in smart TVs. Meanwhile, Samsung has launched four new Odyssey gaming monitors that feature display panels developed by TCL CSOT.

(Source)

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TCL CSOT showcased three new display technologies tailored for different gaming genres: HVA Fast, HVA Black, and HFS Shoot. HVA Fast supports a 1ms response time and offers curved panels in sizes ranging from 34 to 57 inches with a 1000R curvature. HVA Black features a 5000:1 native contrast ratio and supports refresh rates up to 500Hz, offering high clarity and dynamic visuals. HFS Shoot targets FPS players with support for high resolution, high refresh rates, and autostereoscopic 3D switching without glasses.

Samsung’s new lineup includes the 27-inch UHD 165Hz Odyssey G90XF, the 40-inch WUHD 180Hz Odyssey G75F, the 37-inch UHD 165Hz Odyssey G75F, and the 27-inch UHD 180Hz Odyssey G70F Dual-Mode Gaming Monitor.

The Odyssey G90XF is Samsung’s first gaming monitor to feature glasses-free 3D. It uses light-field display (LFD) technology combined with an eye-tracking camera to produce real-time 3D visuals without any viewing angle restrictions. The display supports AI-powered 2D-to-3D video conversion and features 4K resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, spatial audio, and environmental lighting effects. Samsung launched the G90XF in May at a price of 14,999 yuan ($2,080).

The 40-inch G75F supports a resolution of 5120×2160, a 180Hz refresh rate, and a 3000:1 contrast ratio with support for 1.07 billion colors. The 37-inch G75F and 27-inch G70F monitors both support 3840×2160 resolution, high refresh rates, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro for smoother gameplay across supported titles.

These monitors aim to meet the evolving demands of esports gamers, with TCL CSOT playing a central role in the display technology behind them.

In related news, we recently explored Who Owns TCL?—a deep dive into the brand’s ownership structure, key subsidiaries, and global expansion strategy.

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Public, But With Roots in the State

TCL Technology Group Corporation, the backbone of the TCL brand, is publicly traded on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange under the ticker 000100. But it didn’t start out that way. Founded in 1981 as a state-owned enterprise, TCL has since morphed into a hybrid of public and partially state-backed ownership, with no single majority stakeholder in control.

Founder Li Dongsheng, who remains chairman and has held the CEO role at various times, owns around 3.3% of TCL Technology. Government-linked investment entities such as Huizhou SASAC and Wuhan Optics Valley each hold 2 to 3%, while the majority, over 87%, is publicly held by retail and institutional investors. This mix means TCL operates like a market-driven firm with state influence, a structure that’s common among China’s largest industrial players.

Restructuring the House: The Rise of TCL Holdings

In 2019, TCL underwent a corporate split to sharpen its focus. It spun off its consumer electronics and appliances division into a new entity, TCL Industries Holdings (also known as TCL Holdings), which now oversees TCL Electronics, the TV and smart device arm. Meanwhile, TCL Technology retained control of high-tech ventures like display panel production (via CSOT) and solar energy (via TCL Zhonghuan).

Despite the split, TCL Technology and TCL Industries are closely intertwined. For example, TCL Electronics continues sourcing panels from CSOT, ensuring tight vertical integration in its TV business.

Subsidiaries, Subsidiaries Everywhere

TCL’s structure is a web of subsidiaries that span consumer electronics, component manufacturing, and even renewable energy.

TCL Electronics Holdings (HKEX: 1070) is the most visible face of the brand, making smart TVs, soundbars, and smartphones. It’s also the engine behind TCL’s climb to the number two global spot in TV shipments. TCL Communication, once known for BlackBerry and Alcatel phones, has been folded into this unit.

China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT) sits at the heart of TCL’s display ambitions. It builds LCD, Mini-LED, and OLED panels, not just for TCL TVs but also for other brands. It’s a wholly owned part of TCL Technology and a key reason the company can compete with global giants on price.

TCL Smart Home (formerly Homa) covers air conditioners, fridges, and washing machines. It’s already among the world’s top four AC brands and the leading refrigerator exporter in China. And it’s backed by smart integrations and large-scale factories in China.

TCL Zhonghuan, acquired in 2020, pushes TCL into solar energy. It produces monocrystalline silicon wafers for solar panels and is quickly becoming central to TCL’s push into renewables and semiconductors.

Other subsidiaries include Tonly Electronics (audio, IoT devices), TCL Environmental Technology (e-waste and recycling), and TCL Financial Services, which collectively round out the group’s diverse portfolio.

Global Strategy: Localized, Scaled, and Brand-Driven

TCL’s expansion outside China has been fast and aggressive. It now operates in over 160 countries and has regional headquarters across six global business zones. The company has set up 20 manufacturing bases, including plants in Mexico, Vietnam, and Poland, to dodge tariffs, shorten supply chains, and serve local markets efficiently.

TCL also invests heavily in global R&D, with over 40 research centers worldwide focusing on AI, display tech, and smart home systems. In North America, TCL’s partnership with Roku turned it into one of the best-selling TV brands in the U.S. In Europe and India, it’s pushing smart appliances and affordable smartphones. And globally, TCL is promoting its own smart TV OS, Lingkong UI, to reduce reliance on Google and Roku.

The brand strategy? Mass-market affordability wrapped in next-gen features. Whether it’s budget-friendly Mini-LED TVs or the paper-like NXTPAPER phone displays, TCL’s message is clear: tech doesn’t have to be expensive.

Bottom Line

TCL’s ownership is split between founder Li Dongsheng, state-backed funds, and a wide public float. But in practical terms, the brand is steered by a mix of private ambition and state alignment. Through subsidiaries like CSOT, TCL Electronics, and TCL Zhonghuan, the company balances consumer-facing innovation with serious upstream tech investment.

It’s not a traditional tech giant like Samsung or LG, but it’s gaining ground fast. And if TCL continues executing its global strategy, it may not be long before this hybrid-owned Chinese conglomerate becomes a household name far beyond the TV aisle.

In related news, TCL CSOT sets its sights on dominating the esports display market, stepping beyond its role as a panel supplier. Also, we recently explored TCL NXTPAPER technology and how it compares to AMOLED and IPS in terms of eye comfort.

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TCL CSOT hosted a formal opening ceremony at its booth, with key attendees such as TCL CSOT CEO Zhao Jun, Samsung Electronics China executive Lee Wei, and senior representatives from Lenovo, TPV, LG, Intel, and JD.com. Executives from TCL CSOT also participated in outlining the company’s roadmap for esports display innovation.

Zhao Jun confirmed in an interview that TCL CSOT led global shipments and market share in esports monitor panels from 2022 to 2024. One out of every three esports monitors worldwide currently uses a TCL CSOT panel. He said the company plans to maintain this lead by expanding into new display sizes and categories across phones, tablets, laptops, monitors, and TVs.

The company’s APEX brand will continue to drive display innovation, focusing on four pillars: visual performance, eye comfort, sustainability, and future-ready form factors. TCL CSOT is investing in both LCD (HVA, HFS) and OLED (FMM, IJP) technologies to improve contrast, reduce blue light, and introduce flexible and 3D-capable displays.

Director of MNT Product Development Li Shanyong introduced three new display technologies for esports monitors. The HVA Fast series features 1ms response times and ultra-wide curved screens up to 57 inches. HVA Black targets cinematic performance with native 5000:1 contrast and high refresh rates up to 500Hz. HFS Shoot supports high-resolution, high-refresh performance with dual-mode refresh and glasses-free 3D using cylindrical lens tech.

TCL CSOT also previewed its printed OLED panel, which targets low blue light (≤20%) and features dynamic compensation to prevent burn-in without requiring user input.

Samsung unveiled four new Odyssey gaming monitors that use TCL CSOT panels. The lineup includes the 27-inch UHD 165Hz G90XF with glasses-free 3D, the 40-inch WUHD 180Hz G75F, the 37-inch UHD 165Hz G75F, and the 27-inch UHD 180Hz G70F with dual refresh modes.

Zhao Jun stated that TCL CSOT plans to grow globally by setting up localized manufacturing and client labs for various product categories. He added that the company will continue investing in esports IP and technology to deliver a complete portfolio of gaming displays for all use cases.

In related news, we recently broke down how TCL NXTPAPER compares to AMOLED and IPS in terms of eye comfort, and also explored TCL’s inkjet-printed OLED technology.

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AI features have already reached deep into the Chinese consumer tech market. AI TVs now account for over 70% of shipments, offering features such as picture enhancement, voice control, and content suggestions. AI laptops make up 50% of available models, and AI tablets account for 76%. Wearables like smartwatches and AI bands have reached over 85% penetration, while AI smart glasses now represent 65% of all smart eyewear sales. AI smart locks and surveillance cameras have both passed the 25% mark.

Analysts expect the AI hardware boom to shift display panel demand toward the high-end segment. Most AI-enabled devices initially launch in premium categories before features expand to lower-tier models. This trend supports higher-margin panel shipments and strengthens the position of suppliers like TCL Technology and BOE, who already lead in advanced display manufacturing.

TCL is also applying AI to improve display production. In June, TCL CSOT launched X-Intelligence 3.0, a vertical AI model focused on reasoning for the display industry. This model supports domain-specific decision-making and can offer solutions that go beyond traditional engineering approaches. TCL uses it to optimize manufacturing processes and improve efficiency.

As AI continues to shape the next generation of consumer electronics, TCL’s investment in both display technology and AI-driven manufacturing gives it a clear advantage in a rapidly evolving market.

In related news, TCL shipments dropped 23% in Q2 2025 amid rising demand for Indian-made smartphones in the US, while Samsung and Sony have just stepped into the RGB-Mini LED race—but they’re already playing catch-up.

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In 2024, TCL’s display arm, TCL CSOT, reported zero chemical leak incidents. The company conducted Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) on 40 types of specialty gases and 46 general-use chemicals. This process helped identify 4,160 potential risks, generate 192 analysis reports, and resolve 240 hazards. To strengthen safety, TCL CSOT implemented measures such as dual-person dual-lock systems, mandatory protective gear, and gas leak alarms. It also held regular emergency response drills and safety training sessions across all production facilities, all of which are now ISO45001 certified.

TCL is also focused on building a greener supply chain. TCL CSOT works with upstream suppliers to encourage the use of low-power, non-toxic, and recyclable materials, while supporting downstream partners in developing green-certified products. By the end of 2024, all panel production facilities were certified under IECQ QC 080000. The company enforces strict compliance with international regulations such as RoHS, REACH, and TSCA, and requires all suppliers to sign hazardous substance declarations.

To stay ahead of regulatory requirements, TCL upgraded its Green Product Management System (GPMS), which tracks chemical content and supplier data. The system monitors high-risk substances like REACH SVHCs and PFAS and provides early alerts on policy updates. In 2024, after seven new SVHCs were added to the REACH list, TCL surveyed 400 suppliers and updated its database accordingly.

As part of its long-term sustainability goals, TCL began phasing out PFAS materials. It issued a PFAS ban policy to suppliers and started validating safer alternatives. The company aims to eliminate PFAS materials from all its product lines by the end of 2026.

In related news, TCL has already secured $644 million in display profits just halfway through 2025, signaling strong momentum in its display business. At the same time, TCL and Xiaomi have taken a significant step toward challenging Samsung’s dominance in the OLED market, hinting at a major shift in the global display technology landscape.

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TCL CSOT confirmed the development through its official WeChat account, stating that the expanded lab will strengthen the joint research and development efforts that began in 2017. The partnership has evolved from initial component supply to a comprehensive strategic alliance, focused on advanced display technologies.

The first phase of the Innovation Display Lab was established in 2021. Since then, Xiaomi and TCL CSOT have co-developed several breakthrough technologies. These include the first Xiaomi smartphone with a TCL CSOT LTPS panel in 2017, the Mi 10 Ultra’s adoption of TCL CSOT OLED panels in 2020, and the global debut of the first under-display camera phone in 2021.

In 2022, the companies jointly defined the 1.5K screen standard and launched China’s first 2K LTPO display. In 2023, they accelerated development of an isometric micro four-curved display two years ahead of schedule and filed over 130 patents related to the technology. In 2024, the collaboration led to the launch of the Mix Fold series, featuring flexible displays developed through their joint efforts.

In 2025, Xiaomi and TCL CSOT are pushing for Real RGB OLED displays, which are expected to feature in next-generation Xiaomi flagships such as the Xiaomi 16 Pro and Redmi K90 Pro.

TCL CSOT stated that the lab now operates as a closed-loop system combining joint R&D with production coordination. This setup enables faster transitions from early-stage innovation to final product manufacturing, improving efficiency and shortening the time-to-market for new technologies. The Phase 2 expansion reflects a deeper commitment to advancing China’s domestic display capabilities and setting new industry benchmarks through shared innovation.

In related news, TCL CSOT is reportedly planning to launch its first OLED monitor panel in 2026. Meanwhile, TCL has introduced its C72K 4K QD-Mini LED TVs in India, featuring a 144Hz refresh rate and Dolby Atmos support.

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The report states that TCL CSOT has finalized its internal mass production roadmap for OLED monitors. The company is expected to begin large-scale production of this panel by the end of the third quarter of 2026. VisionTalk also reports that TCL CSOT has started discussions with several monitor brands to explore commercial partnerships.

The leaked specifications align with a prototype that TCL CSOT showcased during SID 2025. That prototype featured a 27-inch 4K OLED screen built using IJP (Inkjet Printing) technology and supported a 120Hz refresh rate. The new panel appears to follow the same design direction, confirming TCL CSOT’s push to move from development to commercial readiness.

TCL CSOT is focusing this panel on professional environments rather than gaming. While the refresh rate supports smooth visuals, the emphasis is on color accuracy, contrast, and wide viewing angles, qualities that benefit productivity and content creation. The use of IJP technology could also reduce manufacturing costs compared to WOLED or QD-OLED panels.

The panel is expected to offer high brightness, low power consumption, and the deep blacks typical of OLED displays. If the production schedule remains on track, commercial monitors using this panel may arrive by late 2026 or early 2027.

TCL CSOT has not officially announced the panel or confirmed its production timeline. However, the company’s recent activity and public demonstrations suggest it is preparing to expand its OLED portfolio beyond TVs and into the PC monitor segment.

In related news, TCL CSOT is also ramping up its OLED ambitions with plans for a large-scale 8.6-generation printed OLED factory.

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How Traditional OLED Manufacturing Works

Most OLED panels today are built using vacuum thermal evaporation (VTE) through fine metal masks. It’s a meticulous process: organic emissive materials are vaporized in vacuum chambers and deposited layer by layer onto glass substrates. This method works well for small smartphone displays, but it wastes materials, relies on expensive and fragile masks, and becomes increasingly inefficient as screen size grows. It’s also labor-intensive, with constant maintenance and frequent equipment cleanings needed to keep yields high.

What Makes TCL’s Inkjet OLED Different

TCL’s approach bypasses all of that. Instead of vaporizing materials, inkjet printing turns them into liquid form — OLED “inks” — and precisely deposits them onto the panel substrate using printheads. There’s no need for masks, and there’s far less waste since materials are only deposited where needed. Each subpixel (red, green, and blue) is printed separately, allowing for a true RGB OLED layout, which improves text sharpness and color accuracy, especially important for monitors and laptops.

Unlike LG’s WOLED, which emits white light and uses color filters, or Samsung’s QD-OLED, which uses blue OLED with quantum dots to generate red and green, TCL’s printed RGB OLED emits colors directly from each subpixel. There are no filters, no QD layers, and no blue-heavy bias. The result is a cleaner image with higher light efficiency and less optical loss.

Production Progress and Commercial Plans

TCL began pilot production in 2024 with a 21.6-inch 4K OLED panel aimed at medical monitors, the same panel size previously produced by JOLED. This marked the first commercial inkjet OLED display to enter mass production. The panels are currently built at TCL’s Gen-5.5 line in Guangzhou, but the real leap will come from the new Gen-8.5/8.6 “T8” line, which is designed for TV-scale panels.

TCL has already demonstrated 65-inch printed OLED TVs and foldable concepts, and it expects to deliver the first inkjet OLED TVs in late 2025. The company is targeting 55, 65, and 75-inch TVs initially, with expansion plans for 42- and 98-inch panels. Peak brightness is expected to hit 2,000 nits, with Rec.2020 color coverage around 90 percent, comparable to the latest QD-OLED and MLA-enhanced WOLED models.

Environmental and Efficiency Advantages

The biggest upside of inkjet OLED isn’t just image quality. It’s the potential cost and environmental savings. TCL claims a 2× improvement in material efficiency, since there’s no mask wastage and fewer discarded panels due to defects. The process uses less energy, avoids costly vacuum systems, and allows faster production with fewer interruptions. These advantages could eventually bring OLED pricing closer to mainstream LCDs and make high-end panels more accessible.

Compared to LG’s and Samsung’s methods, TCL’s process also avoids the use of heavy filters or quantum dot layers, which reduces complexity and improves lifespan. While long-term durability is still being validated, TCL says its printed panels already show promising results in both efficiency and longevity.

What Comes Next

TCL isn’t just preparing to launch its own OLED TVs. It’s positioning itself as a next-gen OLED panel supplier. If its 27-inch printed OLED monitor panel enters mass production, PC brands like Asus, Dell, and Lenovo could soon have a third option beyond LG and Samsung for high-end OLED screens. The roadmap also includes tablet and smartphone panels, flexible displays, and rollable form factors, all printed, not evaporated.

Xiaomi is also reportedly testing TCL’s printed OLED panels for its upcoming flagship smartphones. If adopted, this would mark a major milestone for inkjet OLED in mobile devices and signal growing confidence from other top-tier brands. TCL CSOT, meanwhile, is doubling down with a massive 8.6G inkjet OLED production line in the works, a multi-billion yuan facility that would enable high-volume manufacturing of large-format printed panels.

It’s still early. TCL’s OLED TVs haven’t hit the market yet, and scaling the technology will take time. But if the company delivers on its roadmap, it won’t just enter the OLED market. It could reshape how OLED is made. And in an industry long dominated by two players, that kind of disruption is long overdue.

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According to a recent report from market intelligence firm UBI Research, TCL CSOT has finalized its investment plan and aims to begin installing production equipment by the end of 2026. The new facility, designated as the T8 site and located near its existing T9 OLED line in Guangzhou, will initially house one 8.6G line with a projected monthly capacity of 45,000 substrates. UBI Research anticipates that the T8 site will eventually accommodate two such lines, doubling its output.

This move is a strong endorsement of inkjet-printed RGB OLED technology, which TCL CSOT has long championed as a more cost-effective and potentially superior alternative to the current market leaders’ WOLED (White OLED) and QD-OLED (Quantum Dot OLED) technologies. The company has been steadily progressing in this field, claiming a breakthrough in October 2024 and commencing small-scale production of printed OLED monitor panels later that year. Just recently, in May 2025, TCL CSOT unveiled a full lineup of printed OLED displays ranging from 6.5 to 65 inches and has since begun sending out panels to partner brands for testing.

The sheer scale of TCL CSOT’s planned investment is noteworthy. For comparison, Chinese rival BOE’s upcoming 8.6G OLED plant is expected to have a capacity of 33,000 substrates, while Samsung Display’s new A6 line will produce 15,000 substrates. This makes TCL CSOT’s proposed T8 plant one of the largest, if not the largest, single OLED manufacturing facilities globally. Furthermore, the adoption of inkjet printing technology is projected to reduce construction costs by an impressive 30% compared to traditional OLED fabrication methods.

The large 8.6G substrates (2290x2620mm) offer significant flexibility in panel production, allowing for efficient cutting into various sizes suitable for a wide array of devices, including large-screen TVs, monitors, IT devices, and even smaller form factors like smartphones. This versatility is crucial as the demand for high-quality OLED displays continues to expand across diverse product categories.

While inkjet OLED technology holds immense promise for lower production costs and potentially better color reproduction (due to its direct RGB emission), it still faces certain technological hurdles. Han Changwook, EVP of UBI Research, noted that challenges remain in areas such as brightness, lifespan, large-area uniformity, and yield rates. However, China’s strategic government support for this differentiated technology, alongside investments from other players like Visionox (with its ViP technology), indicates a concerted effort to overcome these challenges and secure technological leadership in the next generation of display manufacturing.

UBI Research expects TCL CSOT to make an official announcement regarding this ambitious project later this month, with groundbreaking ceremonies anticipated for October. This significant undertaking has the potential to reshape the global OLED market, bringing more competition and potentially accelerating the widespread adoption of advanced OLED displays.

In related updates, TCL has launched the NXTPAPER 11 Plus in the US, priced at $249 and featuring a paper-like display aimed at eye comfort. At the same time, TCL CSOT has confirmed an exclusive display supply deal with Xiaomi for the upcoming MIX Flip 2 smartphone and the YU7 electric vehicle, further solidifying its position in the flexible OLED panel segment.

(Via)

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