TCL’s modern OLED megafactory was built specifically to make “high-end” screens for monitors, laptops and tablets cheaper thanks to a low-cost inkjet production process

To confirm my statement yesterday that OLED panel technology isn’t dead yet, here’s TCL confirming plans for a modern multi-billion dollar OLED factory. But this is the really invigorating part. This factory will not only initially focus on OLED panels for monitors, laptops and tablets, but will also apply a novel inkjet production process to reduce costs.

Currently, virtually all PC monitors with OLED screens are based on panels from only two suppliers – LG and Samsung. This duopoly will, of course, never be beneficial for prices and competition. So TCL’s entry into the fray is most welcome.

By flatpanelshdTCL will invest more than $4 billion in the modern facility, known as T8 and located in Guangzhou, China. The factory will apply the so-called 8.6 generation manufacturing process, creating huge 2.29 by 2.62 meter OLED substrates that can then be sliced ​​into smaller screens. TCL currently produces OLED panels using the 5.5G process, mainly for smaller displays intended for laptops, tablets and phones.

In addition to the size of the substrate produced, the modern TCL factory is also intriguing in terms of apply an inkjet printing process to “print” panels. LG and Samsung, on the other hand, apply a deposition process, and apart from all the fine-grained technical differences, the main advantage of the inkjet process is lower costs.

Production costs are believed to be around 20% lower for overdeposition inkjet printing, which could translate into lower prices for monitors and laptops. Well, that would be the case if it weren’t for tariffs, inflation, uncommon earth disputes and all the rest. However, the argument would at least be that prices would be even higher as a result of deposition compared to inkjet printing.

There’s still a long way to go before we all get too excited and combine this news with $50 OLED monitors just in time for the holiday season. TCL has started work on the factory, and mass production is planned for the end of 2027.

Moreover, we have no clear idea how TCL OLED panels will perform. TCL claims that these are pure RGB panels and therefore do not have an additional white sub-pixel in line with LG’s WOLED technology. But that’s it.

What is promising, however, is the fact that TCL is focusing on panels for monitors and laptops. So far, we indigent PC people have had to wait for the leftovers from LG and Samsung, and modern OLED panel technologies have usually found their way to TVs first and then made their way to PCs. If TCL focuses on PCs first, it bodes well, both in terms of the development of OLED technology and competition.

If TCL releases the latest OLED technology faster than LG and Samsung, perhaps the latter will be encouraged to sharpen their pencils. We can only hope.

I also hope that the focus on PC displays will mean better choices when it comes to high DPI options. We currently offer large-format, high-resolution OLED monitors such as the LG Ultragear 45GX950A with various 4K options. But a few other high-DPI options, perhaps in the ultra-wide 34-inch and 40-inch segments, would also be nice.

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