AU Optronics Latest LCD Panel Development Plans – March 2023

We have some updates from AU Optronics about their LCD panel development plans which is always interesting to see. This is AUO as a panel manufacturer, as opposed to any specific monitor or display manufacturer, but it gives an indication of where monitors are likely to go in the future by looking ahead at the panel production plans. AUO make a large portion of the IPS-type panels (their ‘AHVA’ technology) in the market which is always of interest along with a range of interesting TN Film options.

Please keep in mind that the production dates are not set in stone and may change, and there is then also a lag of several months before a panel is produced, then used in a display and launched to market. We will update our panel parts database with all the new information we have as well as best we can.

If you missed it, our last update from AUO was June 2022 and worth a read back. Here are the highlights from this new update. We also have updates coming soon for BOE so stay tuned for that.

• Other reading – we have recently published updates from LG.Display LCD here.

Update on the 24″ 540Hz TN Film Esports Panel Timeline

Covered in our update last year, this panel has already been announced to feature in a forthcoming display from Asus, their ROG Swift Pro PG248QP. It’s a 24.1″ sized panel based on TN Film panel technology and offers a 1920 x 1080 resolution combined with a super-high 540Hz refresh rate. It’s one of AUO’s flagship panels in the gaming space and aimed at high end and professional gaming. We have recently reviewed and tested their current highest refresh rate TN Film panel, a 360Hz option used in the BenQ Zowie XL2566K which is well worth a look if you’re interested in this kind of panel and use case.

In other specs it will offer a 2ms on/off response time spec, 450 cd/m² brightness and 95% DCI-P3 colour gamut.

In the roadmap last year this panel (listed as the M241HTN01.0 at the time) was scheduled to feature a 98-zone AmLED backlight (discussed more below) and support HDR 1000, but this was not mentioned in the early press release from Asus for their PG248QP display that is based on the AUO panel. Looking at the more recent AUO road-map, this panel is no longer listed in the AmLED section, and the panel part number has been updated to the M241HTN01.5. It’s likely that AUO have scrapped the AmLED inclusion for now, and focusing instead on just the pure 540Hz refresh rate panel that’s going to be featured in that Asus monitor, and likely other competing screens at some point.

The timeline for this new panel is now listed for Q3 2023 production, slipping from the Q1 expectation we had last time. That means the Asus 540Hz display is likely not going to be available until Q4 at best.

32″ 4K IPS panel with 240Hz Refresh Rate, but still not for a while

Continuing the theme of high refresh rate panels, as we reported in our last update AUO are also planning to produce a 32″ sized IPS-type panel with a 3840 x 2160 “4K” resolution and a 240Hz refresh rate! This could be extremely interesting, although you’re going to need a beast of a system to power something like that. In other specs AUO list a 3ms G2G response time, HDR 1000 support, 95% DCI-P3 colour gamut and a 3-side borderless design.

You’ve got some time to start saving, or updating your PC though; this panel (M320QAN03.0) isn’t due to go in to mass production until Q4 2023 at the moment, slipping a bit from the previous Q3 expectation. This means any monitors featuring this panel won’t be available until 2024 in all likelihood.

AmLED Backlight options including with high refresh rates

As we discussed in last year’s update, AUO are developing a range of panels with their new “AmLED” (Adaptive Mini LED) backlight technology, an update to the FALD and Mini LED backlight units you might find today on some higher end displays. There is a focus on improving the number of dimming zones which should in turn help improve HDR experience, with talk about increasing to 2000+ and even 4000+ zones. Their product advantages are listed as high brightness, better contrast, true colours and an extremely high ambient contrast ratio (i.e. in normal lighting conditions).

AUO explained in some previous press material that: “AUO’s AmLED display technology, thanks to the enhanced mini LED backlight design, has achieved revolutionary performance in gaming displays. With adaptive local dimming technique, brightness, contrast ratio, colors, refresh rate and power consumption can be precisely adjusted in real time based on the images, environment, as well as users’ needs, therefore providing lifelike gaming visuals and immersive experience to meet gamers’ and content creators’ stringent demand for image quality and smooth operations.”

An AUO promotional video from last year is included below for a bit more background:

How does AmLED work?

AmLED basically boils down the screen having a Mini LED backlight that has been finely tuned by AUO to allow it to work properly in gaming situations and with variable refresh rates. Optimising the backlight dimming and control to ensure, as they put it “utmost brightness and contrast”. It’s been apparently made for content creators and e-sports pros, which feels like two very separate target markets.

AU Optronics later added a video explaining AmLED in more detail which we’ve embedded below. Within this video AUO are also keen to promote the performance of the Mini LED backlight in various areas, although of course keep in mind this is their marketing video.

They talk about how under higher ambient lighting conditions the technology can deliver 3x higher “ambient contrast ratio” (ACR) than an OLED display which don’t perform as well in bright room conditions. AUO are also promoting the fact that AmLED displays don’t show the same brightness degradation and burn in risks of OLED in their promotional video. They have also focused on blue light reduction by shifting the blue light wavelength to the 460 nm range, something that Eyesafe promote and talk about on their website.

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AmLED Panels Planned or in Production Already

The panels in their roadmap with AmLED backlights are as follows, now updated since last year’s roadmap. All of these are IPS-type technology:

• 32″ 4K with 160Hz and 576 zones – We had a bit of information about the M320QAN02.8 in previous roadmaps and this panel is already in production now. This is a 32″ sized IPS panel with 3840 x 2160 4K resolution, 160Hz refresh rate, 5ms G2G response time, 1000 nit peak brightness, 98% DCI-P3 / 99% Adobe RGB colour gamut (thanks to Quantum Dot coating) and a 3-side borderless design. It has 576 dimming zones. This panel will be featured in the Acer Predator X32 FP (recently reviewed), and the Asus ROG Swift PG32UQXR and PG32UQXE displays.
  • Another panel with very similar specs (M320QAN02.B) is listed for Q2 2023 production but it’s not clear how it would differ from the 2.8 panel. Same 160Hz refresh rate, HDR 1000 support and 576-zone AmLED backlight. The only seemingly different spec is a 95% DCI-P3 gamut. We include it here for completeness, and there’s a chance this will be different when final specs are known to the 2.8 panel already in production.
    
    
• 32″ 4K with 60Hz and 576 zones – A 60Hz only version of this panel with basically the same specs except for a slower 12ms G2G response time spec is also in mass production now (M320QAN02.7). This would likely be featured in more professional-oriented monitors, with the high refresh rate versions used in gaming screens.
  
  
• 32″ 4K panel with 2304 zones – a lower 60Hz refresh rate panel sadly, but with a significantly higher number of dimming zones. The M320QAN02.A has 2304 dimming zones and will offer a 12ms G2G response time, 99% Adobe RGB gamut (QD) and HDR 1400 support. It’s now scheduled for Q2 2023 production at the moment, having slipped from the previously expected Oct 2022 timeline.
  
  
• 32″ 8K panel with 4608 zones – a very impressive spec both in terms of resolution (7680 x 4320) and number of dimming zones (4608). The M320MAN01.0 is pencilled in for Q2 2023 production which is good news. It will be 60Hz only, but will offer HDR 1000 support and 99% DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB gamut coverage. Expect monitors using this to be very expensive and aimed at the professional market as and when they are announced.
  
  
• 31.5″ 6K panel with 576 zones – the M315WAN01 has a high 6016 x 3384 “6K” resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate only. It has a 576-zone AmLED backlight and wide colour gamut with 95% DCI-P3 coverage. It supports HDR 1000 as well. This one is currently in the planning phase, with no details provided on production timescales unfortunately.
  
  
• 31.5″ 4K panel with 576 zones – the M315QAN01.X has a 60Hz refresh rate only, but has a 576-zone AmLED backlight and wide colour gamut with 95% DCI-P3 coverage. It supports HDR 1000 as well. This one is currently in the planning phase, with no details provided on production timescales unfortunately.
  
  
• 27″ 1440p panels with 360Hz and 512 zones – The M270DAN10.2 and M270DAN10.3 offer a 3ms G2G response time along with HDR 1000 support and use 512 dimming zones (previously listed as 576 in our last update). The 10.2 panel has a 99% Adobe RGB colour gamut listed while the 10.3 panel has a 95% DCI-P3 gamut listed. This one is currently in the planning phase, with no details provided on production timescales unfortunately.
  
  
• 27″ 4K panel with 160Hz and 576 zones – The M270QAN07.5 will offer a 5ms response time, 99% Adobe RGB gamut (Quantum Dot) and HDR 1000 support. This one has 576 dimming zones. This one is currently in the planning phase, with no details provided on production timescales unfortunately.

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Other AmLED Displays?

AUO’s website for AmLED lists the Asus ROG Swift PG32UQX and Asus ProArt PA32UCG as monitors that feature AmLED technology. Both those screens use an older 32″ sized panel with 1,152 zone Mini LED backlight which is not listed within the AUO panel roadmap as being officially “AmLED”. Maybe these were early iterations of what became that panel tech, or maybe they are just normal Mini LED panels of note. They’ve been around for a while now, and certainly have high-end Mini LED backlights for excellent HDR performance. Whether or not they are really classified under this new “AmLED” branding is confusing.

AUO’s website for AmLED also lists the MSI MEG Artymis 341 display as featuring AmLED, which was also listed when MSI announced this display back in May 2022. However, this screen has still yet to appear in any detailed way from MSI, and the expected 2022 release date has obviously been missed already. This panel size is not even listed in AUO’s roadmap for AmLED production, which is perhaps a bad sign for this monitor appearing any time soon! More info on it when we get it, but there’s a risk this has been dropped, or de-prioritised in their panel line-up.

Higher 2000:1 contrast ratio IPS-type panels

Also discussed in the the previous and this newest AUO roadmap are a couple of new “commercial” products which seem to be IPS-type panels (AHVA technology) with an increased contrast ratio of 2000:1. This could be a rival to LG.Display’s “IPS Black” perhaps, although not much information is provided at this stage on the technology behind the improved contrast ratio. There are two 27″ sized panels listed as we had last time, now with some updated timelines:

• The M270DAN09.2 has a 2560 x 1440 resolution, 400 nits (previously 350) brightness, 98% DCI-P3 colour gamut and a 4-side borderless design (60Hz only). It was scheduled to go in to mass production in October 2022 but that’s now been updated to Q1 2023.
• The M270QAN08.0 has a higher 3840 x 2160 “4K” resolution, 400 nit brightness, 98% DCI-P3 colour gamut and a 4-side borderless design (60Hz only). It is scheduled to go in to mass production in Q2, slipping slightly from Q1 2023.

Gaming panels with the higher contrast ratio IPS

Likely of more interest are some other newly listed panels which will offer some gaming potential too. LG.Display have yet to announced any high refresh rate IPS Black panels in their range, so it’s good to see AUO offering some in their alternative technology.

• 34″ ultrawide IPS with 120Hz – First up and is the company’s first 34″ ultrawide IPS-type panel offering as well (previously only planning VA-type panels in this size). The M340QAR01.1 has a 21:9 aspect ratio, ultrawide format and a 3440 x 1440 resolution. It also has a 120Hz refresh rate and a 2000:1 contrast ratio. In other specs there is a 300 nits brightness and 98% DCI-P3 wide colour gamut. Production is expected to start in June 2023.
• 27″ with 1440p and 120Hz – a smaller 27″ sized screen with a 2560 x 1440 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. The M270DAN11.0 has a 2000:1 contrast ratio along with a 350 nits brightness and 98% DCI-P3 wide colour gamut. Production is scheduled for Q2 2023 at the moment.

It’s not clear why these panels are being listed as only 120Hz when even the entry level gaming panels tend to be 144Hz or 165Hz nowadays. Perhaps the refresh rate spec will be updated, or perhaps there are additional challenges in driving high refresh rate on these higher contrast ratio IPS panels for now. Time will tell.

24″ IPS Panel with 1920 x 1200 resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio

Worthy of a brief mention in their more mainstream line-up of panels is a new 24″ sized IPS-type panel with a 1920 x 1200 resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio. These are quite rare nowadays, but some people prefer this slightly larger vertical resolution to the common 16:9 (1920 x 1080) panels that are widespread in the market. The M240UAN02.6 panel will offer a 100Hz refresh rate as well, along with a 1300:1 contrast ratio, 350 cd/m2 brightness, 178/178 viewing angles, 6-bit+FRC colour depth and standard 99% sRGB colour gamut. It should be in mass production already since Jan 2023

A step up from common 165Hz Refresh Rate Panels to 180Hz

In the mid-tier gaming line-up of panels, AUO are pushing the refresh rate a bit for newer generation options. They’ve increased the common 165Hz refresh rate to 180Hz for a range of upcoming panels, including of note:

• 27″ 1440p IPS-type panels with 180Hz refresh rate. There are wide gamut versions available (M270DAN08.D and 8.E) with 95% DCI-P3 coverage and also a standard gamut 99% sRGB (M270DAN8.B) which should all be in production as of March 2023
• 32″ 1440p IPS-type panels with 180Hz refresh rate. There is a wide gamut version available (M320DAN02.9) with 95% DCI-P3 coverage and also a standard gamut 99% sRGB (M320DAN02.8) which are expected to go in to production in Q2 2023.
  
  
• 27″ 1440p Curved VA panel (1000R) with 180Hz refresh rate. Offering a 3000:1 contrast ratio and wide colour gamut, the M270DVR03.9 is listed for Q3 2023 production.
• 31.5″ 1440p Curved VA panel (1000R) with 180Hz refresh rate. Offering a 3000:1 contrast ratio and wide colour gamut, the M315DVR03.9 is listed for Q3 2023 production.

Some new 31.5″ High Refresh Rate VA Curved Panels

AUO also have a couple of new 31.5″ sized panels on their roadmap based on VA technology and offering a 3840 x 2160 “4K” resolution, combined with a moderately high 165Hz refresh rate. In our last update last year, we only had sight of 4K 144Hz panels in this size, so it’s good to see refresh rate being pushed a bit higher.

The new VA curved panels will be available in 1500R curvature (M315QVR05.0 – production from May 2023) and a more aggressive 1000R curvature (M315QVR05.6, production later in Q2 2023). They will both offer 5ms G2G response time, 3000:1 contrast ratio, 8-bit colour depth a wide colour gamut covering 95% DCI-P3.

31.5″ curved VA panel with 4K and 240Hz

More interesting is a planned 31.5″ size, 4K, 240Hz panel which will also be a VA technology panel and available in 1000R curvature. This panel is planned for production in Q3 2023 (M315QVR05.B). Last year we had details of panels in this 31.5″ size with 240Hz, but only for lower 1440p and 1080p resolutions, so the new 4K resolution option is a very welcome addition. The 1080p version mentioned in last year’s update (M315HVR01.3) is listed for planned Q2 2023 production now by the way.

34″ ultrawide VA panels with high refresh rates

Last year we had details of a few 34″ VA panels planned with refresh rates up to 165Hz. There are two new versions also added, one with 1500R curvature (M340QVR02.0) and the other with 1000R curvature (M340QVR02.6) that are scheduled for production from April and May 2023 respectively.

More interesting is that AUO now have plans to produce a new panel with the same size, aspect ratio (21:9), and resolution (3440 x 1440) but this time with a higher 240Hz refresh rate. The M340QVR03.7 will offer a 5ms G2G response time, 3000:1 contrast ratio, 8-bit colour depth and a wide colour gamut covering 95% DCI-P3. It’s planned for Q3 2023 production.

Updated 49″ super ultrawide VA panels with high refresh rates

We had details of a couple of panels in this size from AUO last year, but there are two new offerings planned for production later this year. The M490AVR02.B is probably the most interesting with a 240Hz refresh rate, while the M490AVR02.9 has a slightly lower 165Hz refresh rate. Both are planned for Q3 2023 production and will offer 5120 x 1440 resolution, 3000:1 contrast ratio, 8-bit colour depth and wide colour gamut with 95% DCI-P3 coverage.

A.R.T. (Advanced Reflectionless Technology) aimed at general and office panel range

AUO are also promoting their A.R.T. coating technology which combines anti-reflection and anti-glare treatments which are designed to change the direction of reflected light, and reduce scattered light to a level that is barely noticeable. Basically it will help reduce glare and reflections on matte coated panels, even in very bright environments. AUO’s surface design also eliminates ambient light disturbances and helps preserve the true color tones, saturation and ambient contrast. 

This technology was originally designed for panels that might be used in art displays and galleries (also linked to the the name A.R.T.) allowing artists to be able to reproduce texture, brushstrokes and original colors of the artworks and paintings they love in an authentic digital format. It’s now being integrated in to some of their monitor panels, largely aimed at the general/office/productivity/professional type uses, as opposed to gaming panels. Although a few offer mid-tier refresh rates still.

With this new coating, display brightness can be reduced by around 20% AUO say, compared with a traditional panel, helping to save energy by up to 60%. Planned panels include:

• 23.8″ IPS with 1080p – with 100Hz, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 250 cd/m2 brightness, 99% sRGB – planned for Q3 2023
• 23.8″ IPS with 1440p – with 75Hz, 900:1 contrast ratio, 300 cd/m2 brightness, 99% sRGB – planned for Q2 2023
• 27″ IPS with 1080p – with 100Hz, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 300 cd/m2 brightness, 99% sRGB – planned for Q3 2023
• 27″ IPS with 1440p – with 75Hz, 900:1 contrast ratio, 350 cd/m2 brightness, 99% sRGB – planned for March 2023
• 27″ IPS with 1440p – with 75Hz, 900:1 contrast ratio, 300 cd/m2 brightness, 99% Adobe RGB wide gamut using Quantum Dot coating – planned for March 2023
• 27″ IPS with 1440p – with 100Hz, 1000:1 contrast ratio, 350 cd/m2 brightness, 99% sRGB – planned for Q3 2023
• 27″ IPS with 1440p – with 165Hz, 900:1 contrast ratio, 400 cd/m2 brightness, 95% DCI-P3 wide colour gamut – this one should already be in mass production now
• 27″ IPS with 4K – with 60Hz, 900:1 contrast ratio, 300 cd/m2 brightness, 99% DCI-P3 and 99% Adobe RGB wide colour gamut with KSF LED backlight – planned for Q2 2023
• 32″ IPS with 4K – with 160Hz, 900:1 contrast ratio, 600 cd/m2 brightness (HDR600 support), 95% DCI-P3 wide colour gamut – this one should already be in mass production now

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