In 2025, COB (Chip on Board) technology will be the core development trend in the field of LED display, and its development trend is mainly reflected in the following five key aspects. Combined with the current status and challenges of the industry, the specifics can be summarized as follows:
According to the forecast data of Experts, the monthly production capacity of COB is expected to exceed 80,000 square meters in 2025, which will be a significant leap compared with 51,000 square meters in 2024. This capacity growth is due to the continuous investment of leading companies such as MTC Display and Zhongqi Optoelectronics. For example, MTC Display’s monthly production capacity in 2024 has reached 20,000 square meters, which is in a leading position in the world. Large-scale production will drive cost reduction and accelerate the penetration of COB technology in the mid-to-high-end market.
COB technology is currently dominated by P1.2 spacing, with a market share of 60-70%, but it will expand to smaller spacing (such as P0.9, P0.7) in the future. Products below P1.0 have become the “profit highland” for corporate competition due to their high added value and technical barriers. For example, Zhongqi Optoelectronics’ shipments of products below P1.0 in 2024 have exceeded 10,000 square meters, showing that the market demand for micro-pitch is gradually being released. However, this field still needs to make breakthroughs in process complexity, yield improvement and cost control.
The widespread application of COB technology depends on the coordination of upstream and downstream, including the optimization and upgrading of chip packaging, heat dissipation materials, drive circuits and other links. For example, packaging companies such as Nationstar Optoelectronics and Dongshan Precision are improving module performance through technology iteration, while terminal manufacturers such as Unilumin Technology are committed to promoting innovation in application scenarios. The relevant industry events in 2025 will further promote supply chain cooperation. For example, the technical solutions displayed in the MLED Innovation Supply Chain Boutique Exhibition Area will accelerate the implementation of technology.
With its advantages of high contrast and high reliability, COB is expanding from the traditional commercial display field to high-end application fields:
Smart cities and ultra-high-definition displays: large conference centers, command and dispatch centers, etc. have increasing demand for high-resolution displays.
Consumer electronics and virtual production: Combined with MicroLED technology, COB’s application potential in XR virtual shooting, home theater and other scenarios is gradually being tapped.
Special display field: COB technology is also gradually penetrating in scenarios with high stability requirements such as medical and car displays.
Faced with competition from SMD (surface mount technology) and MiP (MicroLED in Package), COB companies need to consolidate their advantages through differentiation strategies:
Cost optimization: Seek a balance between cost and performance in large-pitch (such as P1.5, P1.8) applications to expand market share.
Intelligent upgrade: Combine AI technology to optimize production processes, such as using machine learning to improve yield and reduce energy consumption.
Ecosystem construction: Promote the formulation and improvement of standards, solve the compatibility issues of modules from different manufacturers, and lower the threshold for users to use.
Challenges and coping strategies
Although COB technology has broad prospects, it still faces three core challenges:
The cost-benefit balance problem in the large-pitch market: the process needs to be improved to reduce the cost per unit area.
Insufficient promotion of the micro-pitch market: market promotion needs to be strengthened to stimulate high-end user demand.
Pressure of technology iteration: It is necessary to continue to increase R&D investment to maintain competitiveness against emerging technologies such as MiP.
Summary
In 2025, the development of COB technology will focus on capacity expansion, micro-pitch breakthroughs, ecological integration, scenario innovation, and differentiated competition. The technology accumulation and industry chain collaboration capabilities of leading companies will become key factors for success, and the integration of AI and intelligent manufacturing will provide new growth momentum for the development of COB technology. For more detailed information, please refer to the “2025 COB Display Research Report” and related industry summit dynamics.
