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TCL CSOT Is Betting Big on Printed OLED With a Massive 8.6G Factory in the Works
Chinese display giant TCL CSOT is reportedly set to revolutionize the OLED display market with an ambitious plan to construct a massive 8.6-generation (8.6G) printed OLED production line in Guangzhou. This significant investment, estimated at approximately RMB 20 billion (around $2.75 billion USD), signals a major shift in the global display landscape and underscores TCL CSOT’s commitment to challenging established players like LG Display and Samsung Display.
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)
News
TCL Launches Z100 Wireless Home Theater System in US With Dolby Atmos FlexConnect
TCL has introduced the Z100 Wireless Home Theater Speaker System in the United States after its recent launch in Europe. It is the first system in the country to feature Dolby Atmos FlexConnect. The company announced the launch alongside its 2025 QD-Mini LED TVs, including the QM8K, QM7K, and QM6K series.
The Z100 system supports flexible speaker placement, allowing users to set up speakers anywhere in the room without complex calibration. Dolby Atmos FlexConnect automatically adjusts audio output based on room layout and speaker location. The system works wirelessly and pairs with the TV’s built-in speakers to create an immersive spatial audio experience.
Each Z100 speaker includes NdFeB rare-earth magnets, silk-dome tweeters, and tightly wound voice coils. It delivers a 1.1.1 channel configuration with up to 170W RMS output. The system can connect up to four speakers and supports an optional wireless subwoofer.
TCL has priced the Z100 at $399.99 per speaker. It also sells the system in bundles. The Z100 Duo includes two speakers for $799.98. The Z100 Trio+ includes two speakers and a subwoofer for $1,299.97. The Z100 Quartet+ offers three speakers and a subwoofer for $1,699.96. All variants are available at major US retailers.
TCL stated that Dolby Atmos FlexConnect aims to simplify home theater setup while delivering high-end sound quality. The company confirmed that its entire 2025 4K TV lineup supports both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.
In related news, we have recently compared the RayNeo Air 3s Pro and the standard Air 3s, highlighting their key differences. Meanwhile, TCL also reports a 176% surge in Mini LED TV shipments and a notable rise in profits for the first half of 2025.
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What’s So Special About the RayNeo Air 3s Pro?
RayNeo has launched the Air 3s Pro AR glasses, a follow-up to the original Air 3s. This model enhances several key features while keeping the price lower than the previous version. With a launch offer of $249, the Air 3s Pro improves visual quality, audio immersion, and comfort without overcomplicating the design or setup.
Brighter, Bolder, and Built for Outdoors
The Air 3s Pro steps up the brightness to 1,200 nits, nearly double the 650 nits on the Air 3s. This jump has a noticeable impact in bright environments. Content appears sharper in sunny conditions, and dark scenes with bright elements like stars show higher contrast and greater clarity.
The display uses the HueView 2.0 Micro OLED engine with a tandem OLED structure. This improves edge sharpness, contrast ratio (200,000:1), and overall energy efficiency. Color accuracy also improves with 98% DCI-P3 coverage and △E<2 precision. RayNeo includes new viewing modes like Vision Boost for outdoor use and Eye Protection for long sessions.
It’s What’s on the Inside (and the Outside)
The design stays nearly identical to the original model, but the internals tell a different story. The updated optical engine reduces glare by 15% and sharpens visuals across the entire field of view. Ghosting and color fringing are less noticeable.
The glasses weigh 76 grams like the original, but they now use a refined weight balance with 46.7% front and 53.3% rear for better overall comfort. It also offers nine levels of temple adjustment and three levels of nose pad positioning. The fit works better across different head shapes without increasing pressure.
Whisper Mode Gets Louder… Privately
The quad-speaker system on the Air 3s Pro remains compact but now supports spatial audio. It delivers a more directional and immersive sound experience, useful for watching movies or playing games. RayNeo’s Whisper Mode continues to minimize audio leakage. Sound remains clear even in shared environments like cafes or flights.
Vocals have improved clarity, and background effects maintain separation. The speakers are placed in dual acoustic chambers for a fuller stereo image. This upgrade gives the Pro a stronger edge for media consumption without requiring headphones.
Familiar Looks
The Air 3s Pro looks nearly identical to the 3s. The only noticeable difference is the uniform black finish, which replaces the two-tone silver and black design on the earlier model.
RayNeo ships the Pro with a new triangular soft-shell case. It feels nicer to the touch and resembles a traditional sunglasses pouch. However, the original hard-shell case provides better structural protection and includes a pocket for storing cables. The new case saves some space but doesn’t feel as secure inside a backpack.
Broad Compatibility, Now Switch 2 Ready
RayNeo retains the same wide device compatibility. The Air 3s Pro connects via USB-C to smartphones, tablets, laptops, and handheld consoles that support DisplayPort Alt Mode. It also works with HDMI adapters for legacy devices.
The Pro adds support for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 when paired with RayNeo’s updated JoyDock. This improvement expands the use case for portable gaming. Support for Steam Deck, PS5, and Xbox also remains available through HDMI to USB-C adapters.
The Best Just Got Cheaper
Despite several meaningful upgrades, the Air 3s Pro costs less than the Air 3s at launch. The $249 price includes an auto-applied coupon, making it one of the most affordable AR glasses with high-end display and audio features.
The Air 3s Pro improves display brightness, reduces visual strain, enhances audio privacy, and adds compatibility features, all while lowering the barrier to entry. This version does not reinvent the formula but refines nearly every core component, making it a smarter buy whether you’re new to AR glasses or looking for a better upgrade path.
We’ve also covered the RayNeo Air 3s Pro vs RayNeo Air 3s in detail; don’t miss that breakdown if you’re deciding between the two.
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RayNeo Air 3s Pro vs RayNeo Air 3s: What’s the Difference?
RayNeo is back with an upgraded version of its popular wearable display glasses, the Air 3s Pro. And while it may look like a twin to the original Air 3s, make no mistake, there are meaningful upgrades here, particularly for those who care about brightness, display fidelity, and immersive sound. But is it enough to justify an upgrade? We tested both side by side to find out what really separates the Pro from the non-Pro.
Same Shape, Slightly Sharper Identity
At first glance, the Air 3s Pro doesn’t scream new generation. The industrial design is nearly identical to the standard Air 3s, right down to the 76g weight and FlexiFit hinge system. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, the original was already one of the lightest and most comfortable AR video glasses available.
However, subtle design tweaks stand out. The Pro version opts for a uniform matte black finish, ditching the silver-accented frame found on some Air 3s models. It’s a cleaner, more minimalist look that feels better suited for mainstream appeal.
In the hand and on the face, both glasses feel equally balanced. The clamping force has been slightly reduced on the Pro, and RayNeo includes additional nose pads for finer comfort tuning. The Pro still floats slightly off the face, allowing ambient light to seep in from the bottom, a known tradeoff. That said, a separately sold lens shade accessory is expected to fix that, at least partially.
Display: The Biggest Reason to Go Pro
Here’s where the real differentiation begins. The Air 3s Pro jumps from 650 nits to a staggering 1200 nits of brightness. This isn’t just a spec bump, it directly improves contrast, visibility in bright environments, and overall display punchiness.
Both models use RayNeo’s in-house HueView micro-OLED technology with 200,000:1 contrast and 98 percent DCI-P3 coverage, but the Pro steps up to HueView 2.0, a tandem OLED structure that improves clarity, transmission efficiency, and reduces glare by 15 percent. Dark scenes sparkle more, highlights pop, and overall immersion improves, especially in rooms with bright ambient light.
They share the same 201-inch virtual screen size at 6 meters, 60Hz default refresh rate with 120Hz support, and large 14×7 mm EyeBox. Color modes include six presets on both: Standard, Game, Movie, Eye-Protection, Professional, and Vision Boost. Color temperature is 7500K for the Pro, slightly cooler than the Air 2s or Air 2.
Audio and Immersion: More Theater, Less Leakage
The Pro adds spatial audio support to the same dual opposing acoustic chamber speaker system used in the 3s. This makes a meaningful difference when watching action films or gaming. Audio feels more three-dimensional, and Whisper Mode 2.0 continues to minimize sound leakage impressively.
Overall tuning has been improved on the Pro. Voices sound cleaner, stereo separation feels more accurate, and spatial positioning adapts better to head movement. It’s not audiophile-grade, but it definitely elevates the theater experience over the Air 3s.
Portability: Hard Shell vs Soft Case
Ironically, the original Air 3s feels more travel-friendly thanks to its rigid zipper case with a molded interior and cable pocket. The Air 3s Pro ships with a sleeker fabric case that looks more like a high-end sunglasses pouch, but it’s flimsier and less structured.
Cable storage also differs. The older case has a dedicated internal compartment, while the Pro case requires you to squeeze the cable in manually. If you’re tossing your glasses into a bag, the Air 3s case feels more secure and durable. The Pro case wins on aesthetics, but not practicality.
Compatibility: No Surprises, Just Plug and Play
Both models support a wide range of devices via USB-C DisplayPort, including Android phones, iPhones (with adapter), tablets, laptops, the Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, Steam Deck, and PS5 or Xbox (via HDMI adapter). You’ll need RayNeo’s optional JoyDock for Switch compatibility, and both models support it equally.
Whether you’re streaming content, playing games, or extending your desktop, the plug-and-play experience is identical between the two. Both also support prescription lens inserts and 20-step brightness adjustment.
Pricing: Surprisingly, Pro Is Cheaper For Now
In a twist, the Air 3s Pro launches at just $249 during early access, which undercuts the original Air 3s launch price of $269. That price includes all the upgrades: 1200 nits brightness, spatial audio, improved display optics, better comfort tuning, and full platform compatibility.
RayNeo also plans to offer trade-in options, referral rewards, and creator incentives, making the Pro an even more accessible upgrade path for returning users.
Verdict: The Pro Is the Real Flagship
If you’re buying into wearable displays for the first time, the Air 3s Pro is the model to get. It fixes core complaints from the Air 3s, mainly brightness and immersion, without adding bulk or sacrificing compatibility. The improved sound profile, refined visuals, and clever new display modes make the Pro feel more mature and versatile.
That said, if you already own the Air 3s and don’t care about outdoor usage or spatial audio, you’re still holding onto a solid piece of hardware. But if you’re curious about what the next step in wearable display tech looks like or just want the best possible experience right now, the Air 3s Pro is absolutely worth it.
Buy Now From RayNeo Official Website
In related news, TCL reports a 176% surge in Mini LED TV shipments with profit growth in H1 2025, while the TCL 60 Ultra Nxtpaper surfaces online revealing full specifications and images.