LG Display has started providing OLED display panels to Chinese electronics company TCL, signalling a new partnership as TCL expands into the high-end gaming monitor segment.

Industry sources say TCL’s recently introduced 32X3A gaming monitor, the company’s first OLED display product, uses a panel manufactured by LG Display. Shipments of the panels are believed to have started earlier this year.

The 32-inch monitor is designed for gaming and high-performance computing, offering 4K resolution and a refresh rate of 240 hertz. The screen can reach peak brightness levels of about 1,300 nits and delivers colour coverage of around 99 per cent of the DCI-P3 spectrum.

The monitor also includes a dual-mode feature that allows users to switch the display to a faster 480 hertz refresh rate at 1080p resolution. This capability is supported by LG Display’s OLED panel technology.

The supply agreement is noteworthy because TCL already operates its own display manufacturing business, TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology, often referred to as CSOT.

Chinese display makers, including CSOT, have increased OLED production in recent years. However, analysts suggest these companies still lag behind South Korean manufacturers in terms of technology maturity and large-scale manufacturing capacity. As a result, TCL appears to have chosen LG Display panels for its first OLED gaming monitor rather than relying on its internal supply.

TCL 32X3A OLED+ monitor

Historically, TCL has used LCD panels produced by its own display division for many of its products. The shift to externally sourced OLED panels reflects a broader effort by the company to compete in the growing premium monitor category.

Industry observers say the decision highlights the continued strength of Korean display technology in the OLED segment.

One industry source said the move suggests Chinese manufacturers still consider Korean suppliers, particularly LG Display, to be among the most advanced partners for OLED technology.

The global OLED monitor panel market has largely been dominated by Korean companies. Research firm Omdia estimates Samsung Display held about 75 per cent of the market last year, while LG Display accounted for roughly 25 per cent.

At the same time, demand for OLED monitors is expanding rapidly in China. According to data from International Data Corporation, shipments in the country increased from about 30,000 units in 2023 to around 570,000 units last year. Revenue in the segment also grew sharply, rising from about A$45 million to roughly A$507 million during the same period.

LG Display has recently returned to profitability after several challenging years. The company reported operating profit of about A$530 million last year, marking its first annual profit since 2021.

Looking ahead, LG Display plans to expand its OLED product portfolio beyond premium displays by introducing more affordable models. The strategy is aimed at encouraging wider adoption of OLED technology across the monitor market.