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Capacitive touch panels√ Key trends

√ Industry outlook

√ Supplier profiles

√ Top products

Buyer’s Guide to sourcing capacitive touch panels An exclusive and in-depth report on capacitive touch panels, including key trends, industry outlook, suppliers and top products

} Key trends and industry outlook 3

} A selection of capacitive touch panels from China 4

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years, fueled by adoption in smartphones made by Apple, Nokia, Samsung and LG. But it has yet to snowball, maintaining the status quo in the local display sector with separate segments for touch panels, and TFT LCDs and modules.

Only a few key makers of touchscreens and TFT LCDs have entered the venture due to the disparate and complex manufacturing such integrated displays entail. Even so, it is evident they are building up own capability for what the other can do, which can lead to industry consolidation in the years ahead.

In the former category, there is FocalTech that now offers on-cell solutions.

From the TFT-LCD panel and module side are the frontrunners, including BOE, Truly, Infovision and Shenzhen Tianma. BOE and the last two companies have also included in-cell on the agenda. Shenzhen Tianma has announced the release of 5in superthin and -high-definition LCD modules integrating in-cell touch technology, and has realized mass production.

Below 10in units lead shipments Mainland China suppliers of capacitive touch panels turn out mostly 1.5 to 32in models for smartphones, tablet and high-end notebook PCs, automotive infotainment devices and smart TVs. Versions smaller than 10in form the bulk of shipments.

Products boast high resolution, quick response time, and enhanced surface hardness and long life span. Most comply with RoHS guidelines.

The key components and materials are control ICs, ITO film, cover lenses, glass and adhesive. Makers obtain the first input mainly from Cypress, Elan and Synopsys, with some also turning to Atmel. ITO film comes from South Korea, Japan and Taiwan providers, and cover lenses from the last two. For glass and adhesive, mainland makers usually tap the local supply and purchase from foreign sources only as required.

Although the cost of manufacturing inputs remained generally stable, prices of capacitive touch panels went down by about 10 percent due to tight competition. This trend is expected to persist in 2016 but the rate of reduction will be below 10 percent.

Smartphones and tablet PCs continue to drive the capacitive touch panel line, which benefits from additional spur from the car infotainment and smart TV sectors. China manufacturers of the multitouch display component are therefore increasing production further. The type, which boasts better sensitivity and shock resistance than resistive kinds, now represents more than 80 percent of their shipments.

This upward trend is reflected globally. Deliveries of touchscreens for handsets alone will post CAGR as high as 37 percent from 2015 to 2018, according to DisplaySearch projections. The volume will be greater, factoring in the shipments of tablet computers and Ultrabooks or Intel-powered laptops estimated to rise between 20 and 30 percent in the next several years. There is also the rising demand in car electronics and smart TVs. Based on total sales value, the touch panel industry worldwide will hit $31.9 billion in 2018, with 80 percent coming from the capacitive category.

Notwithstanding the popularity of capacitive units, most China suppliers still offer the resistive variant. They target remaining requirement in the industrial control, medical equipment and military segments as well as in price-sensitive markets. The output share, however, is expected to go down in coming years. At present, the earlier touch technology accounts for half of Shenzhen Tonrei Digital Technology Co. Ltd’s output and 40 percent at Shenzhen Victor-Touch Technology Co. Ltd.

The latter maker has aggregate yield of 100,000 units monthly and will bolster this by 10 percent in 2016, anticipating uptick in domestic and overseas demand.

There are about 200 suppliers of capacitive touch panels in China. More than two-thirds are in Guangdong province, mainly in the cities of Shenzhen and Dongguan. The pool includes foreign-owned companies such as Microtouch and Gtouch.

The majority of makers export their output. The ratios vary from 20 to 80 percent of total production, going mainly to the US, Europe, and East and Southeast Asia. Based on the positive outlook for the line, companies are looking to realize 10 to 20 percent higher overseas shipments in 2016.

Display industry consolidating?Product development and manufacture based on on-cell and in-cell technologies have been ongoing in China in recent

Touch panel makers highlight output expansion for capacitive typesCompanies take advantage of the steady rise in requirement in mobile, automotive and home electronics applications.

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Capacitive touch panel with 720x1280 pixelsGuangzhou Ideal Electronic Technology Co. Ltd ★★★★✩✩

The Wiko Rainbow model from Guangzhou Ideal is a 5in capacitive touch panel with 720x1280-pixel resolution and ≤3ms response time. The unit has 99 percent precision. Operating temperature is -20 to 40 C.

The minimum order is 100 units, and delivery time is 7 days.

15in capacitive touch panelShenzhen Victor-Touch Technology Co. Ltd★★★✩✩✩

Model VTCG150A02-1.0 capacitive touch panel from Shenzhen Victor-Touch measuring 15in boasts ≥85 percent transmittance. Its response time is ≤16ms.

The unit has 2.8 to 3.3V rated voltage and 12 to 14.5mA operating current. Insulation resistance is more than 20Mohm at 25VDC. The minimum order is 200 units.

≥4096x4096-pixel capacitive touch panel Shenzhen Tonrei Digital Technology Co. Ltd★★★✩✩✩

Shenzhen Tonrei’s model CTP215-GG-001A 10-point capacitive touch panel measures 21.5in. It has 16:9 aspect ratio, ≥4096x4096-pixel resolution and ≤15ms response time. The unit uses chemically strengthened glass with ≥6H surface hardness and ≥87 percent transmittance. It operates in -20 to 70 C, and has a life span of 200 million touches.

Capacitive touch panel has ≤15ms response timeGuangzhou Suntel Global Electronics Co. Ltd★★★✩✩✩

Guangzhou Suntel’s model TouchAvvio777 capacitive touch panel measures 5in and weighs 100g. It has ≤15ms response time.

The maker requires a minimum order of 10 units. The delivery lead time is 3 days.

A selection of capacitive touch panels from China

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