The professional flat panel display market has grown by 8.5% quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) and 30% year-on-year (YoY) according to Futuresource Consulting.
While market conditions remain difficult for many international display vendors an estimated 523,000 units were sold in Q1.
The super narrow bezel display is a market which has proved successful for vendors over the past couple of years, however, in recent quarters the market has not shown the same growth. The market for displays with <5mm bezel has seen slight negative growth for the second consecutive quarter, with Q1 2013 declining 0.8% QoQ, but this has been offset by very strong growth of lower cost displays with bezels of 5mm to 10mm, up 21.8% QoQ.
The large screen market has gathered much focus over the past year, with the large education tender in Turkey and lower cost displays making 55"+ displays more attractive. The market for screens of 55"+ grew 17.3% QoQ and 68.8% YoY.
The EMEA and Americas regions continue to struggle to find the traction for consistent strong growth. Key developed markets, such as the US, Germany, France and UK, are offering opportunities, with a number of projects helping to drive sales and the MEA region is showing signs of potential with QoQ growth of 20.3%.
The Asia Pacific market has had a particularly strong quarter, with the majority of countries in the region growing QoQ and YoY. China is the leading market within the region, with growth of close to 20% QoQ after a drop in Q4 2012. Optimism has grown in Japan, which has been helped by the government's financial stimulus, driving down the strength of the Yen and increasing activity within the country. Korea has experienced another strong quarter as the third largest market in the Asia Pacific region.