The increased aperture ratio allows a dramatic increase across multiple performance metrics. LGD claims that compared to FMM panels, “FLiPP enables displays to increase brightness by 1.6 times, extend lifespan by 2.4 times, and reduce power consumption by 13%” (emphasis added) with an increase in aperture ratio of 55%. These performance improvements are similar to the claims made by Visionox for ViP and by JDI for eLEAP.

Due to another constraint from the use of FMMs, in existing Gen 6 fabs, deposition takes place on ½ Gen 6 substrates (925 mm x 1500 mm). On the newer Gen 8.7 fabs for SDC and BOE, deposition takes place on ½ Gen 8.7 substrates (2290 mm x 1310 mm). Since it is not subject to these constraints, LGD’s FLiPP allows for OLED patterning on (full) Gen 8.5 substrates. The company claimed that “FLiPP has allowed LG Display to become the first display company to manufacture FMM-less OLEDs using 8.5th-generation mother glass as a single whole piece”. LGD claims that for OLED laptop panels, FLiPP “delivers up to 64% higher mother glass utilization efficiency”.

LGD has been working on this technology for more than a year. According to Counterpoint Research’s OLED Supply/Demand and Capital Spending Report, LGD is building a Gen 8.5 R&D line at Paju in South Korea and has started to order equipment earlier this year. That line will be only 2000 substrates per month, but LGD has substantially more Gen 8.5 capacity in South Korea and China, which is making White OLED TV and monitor panels using Open Mask deposition.

A report in South Korean media indicated that LGD plans to invest KRW 3 trillion ($2.2 billion) to build out capacity for FLiPP at its P10 facility in Paju. LGD expects to complete equipment specifications next month and place equipment orders by January 2027. However, based on our insights, we expect the expansion to take place at the P8 LCD rather than P10, with the investment expected to be less than KRW 2 trillion ($1.45 billion). The final investment decision is expected to be made following an internal review process. LGD expects to start production with IT applications such as NBPCs and monitors.

LGD’s press release indicated that it has filed trademark applications for FLiPP in “(South) Korea and key global markets”. Among intellectual property standards, a trademark is relatively easy to obtain but provides no exclusivity for technology, like in a patent. If, as would be expected, LGD obtains a trademark for FLiPP, other countries cannot use the name FLiPP, but can freely develop their own technology (such as ViP for Visionox and eLEAP for JDI).

Although photolithographic patterning promises substantial performance advantages, the manufacturing technology remains unproven at scale. Challenges include greater process complexity, particle management during non-vacuum lithography steps, and the need to protect sensitive organic materials throughout the patterning process.

LGD’s development of FLiPP puts it in the same camp as Visionox and JDI, translating into a three-way race for supremacy in Gen 8.7 OLED. SDC and BOE have started Gen 8.7 production using the incumbent technology, while Visionox has ordered equipment for a Gen 8.7 fab employing its ViP technology. China Star has adopted a third method, inkjet printing, based on technology acquired from JOLED, and plans to ramp up a Gen 8.7 fab with IJP deposition. A comparison of these three types is shown in the graphic below.

Comparison by Evaporation Method

The battle of these three technologies will be the main topic of Yoshi Tamura’s presentation at the Finetech Japan Conference on October 1, 2026, at the Makuhari Messe.