Projected capacitance as the main touch technology will double in value after six years

According to DisplaySearch's newly released touch panel market analysis report, the global touch panel output value in 2011 will reach US$13.4 billion. At the same time, it is estimated that the output value will increase exponentially after 6 years, and there will be an opportunity for revenue of US$23.9 billion in 2017. The penetration rate of touch screens in mobile phones, handheld game consoles, and tablet computers has risen rapidly. The total output value is estimated to be 10.5 billion U.S. dollars. Dr. Jennifer Colegrove, vice president of display technology research at DisplaySearch, points out that in the next few years it will be possible to see touch screens being gradually applied to larger displays such as all-in-one computers, notebook computers and gaming devices.

Projective capacitance is the main touch technology. From the analysis of the touch screen output in 2010, projected capacitance has become the leading technology. Since Apple introduced this technology in 2007, the market for projection capacitors has exploded, and many tablet computer manufacturers have adopted projected capacitive screens. Taking 2011 as an example, we estimate that projected capacitor shipments will grow by more than 100%, while occupying 70% of touch output. In addition to the original touch screen suppliers, several color filter manufacturers also converted some production lines to produce touch screens. Currently, there are an estimated more than 60 manufacturers supplying projected capacitive touch screens on the market.

Regarding in-cell touch screen shipments, there have been no more concrete results since appearing on the market in 2009, but as the yield rate improves, in-cell has the opportunity to take off in 2012. The on-cell touch screen also has a good application, but due to the difficulty in competing with the projected capacitive technology, it has gradually shifted to smaller size applications such as mobile phones and digital cameras. Other touch technologies such as integrated stylus and finger applications have also continued to grow.

The mobile phone is the main application of the touch screen, and the tablet computer gradually gains market share. From the perspective of shipments, two-thirds of the world's touch panels are used in mobile phones and are the most important applications. According to the latest statistics from DisplaySearch, the number of mobile touch panel shipments in 2011 is expected to reach 868 million, with an annual growth rate of 68%.

Tablet PCs are the fastest growing applications, with about 26 million shipments in 2010. We expect the market to continue to grow, with more than 72 million shipments in 2011 and more than 100 million by 2012. In 2011, the output value of a projected capacitive touch screen for tablet PCs will exceed US$1 billion. At the same time, the game market will continue to grow in size, whether it be Microsoft's Kinect or handheld game consoles such as Nitendo3Ds. In the next few years, the use of laptops, all-in-ones, and automotive displays will also increase the use of touch screens. By then, it will have high penetration, low power consumption, multi-touch, and better gesture recognition. Will be in a leading position.