Wonik D2I is expected to reach an OLED DDI supply agreement with Samsung Display
According to reports, Wonik D2I, a subsidiary of wafer fab equipment giant Wonik, expects Samsung Display to pass final quality testing of its OLED panel display driver IC (DDI) in November.
Wonik's business areas include wafer fabs, displays, battery equipment, and materials. Successfully reaching a supply agreement with a Korean display panel manufacturer will mark its first entry into the chip design field.
If its DDI passes Samsung Display's final quality testing, the product will be used for OLED panels supplied by Samsung Display to Chinese smartphone manufacturers.
Wonik D2I, formerly known as D2I, was acquired by Wonik Holdings for KRW 10.7 billion in August 2022. Prior to final testing, the company made two design modifications after discussions with Samsung Display and is expected to pass the tests.
Samsung Display, the world's largest smartphone OLED panel manufacturer, is planning to reduce Magnachip's OLED DDI supply, creating a gap that Wonik D2I can fill.
The relationship between Samsung Display and Magnachip deteriorated due to the latter's attempt to sell its business to a Chinese fund. According to sources, there is currently no actual business dealings between the two parties.
So far, this gap has been filled by Samsung System LSI, which supplies OLED DDI worth 3 trillion Korean won to its subsidiary Samsung Display.
If Wonik D2I enters this supply chain, it is expected to generate an annual revenue of 300 billion to 400 billion Korean won, leading to a decrease in revenue for Samsung's system LSI. The source also said that Samsung's logic department has been closely monitoring the potential transaction between Wonik D2I and Samsung Display.
Hong Soong won, CEO of Wonik D2I, and Choi Joo sun, CEO of Samsung Display, both hold doctoral degrees from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). According to sources, this has prompted Wonik D2I to strive to obtain supply licenses within the year during Cui Zhoushan's tenure as CEO.
If its DDI passes Samsung Display's final quality testing, the product will be used for OLED panels supplied by Samsung Display to Chinese smartphone manufacturers.
Wonik D2I, formerly known as D2I, was acquired by Wonik Holdings for KRW 10.7 billion in August 2022. Prior to final testing, the company made two design modifications after discussions with Samsung Display and is expected to pass the tests.
Samsung Display, the world's largest smartphone OLED panel manufacturer, is planning to reduce Magnachip's OLED DDI supply, creating a gap that Wonik D2I can fill.
The relationship between Samsung Display and Magnachip deteriorated due to the latter's attempt to sell its business to a Chinese fund. According to sources, there is currently no actual business dealings between the two parties.
So far, this gap has been filled by Samsung System LSI, which supplies OLED DDI worth 3 trillion Korean won to its subsidiary Samsung Display.
If Wonik D2I enters this supply chain, it is expected to generate an annual revenue of 300 billion to 400 billion Korean won, leading to a decrease in revenue for Samsung's system LSI. The source also said that Samsung's logic department has been closely monitoring the potential transaction between Wonik D2I and Samsung Display.
Hong Soong won, CEO of Wonik D2I, and Choi Joo sun, CEO of Samsung Display, both hold doctoral degrees from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). According to sources, this has prompted Wonik D2I to strive to obtain supply licenses within the year during Cui Zhoushan's tenure as CEO.