While Samsung Electronics is focusing on Ultra HD TVs instead of OLED TVs, South Korea-based panel makers have been developing OLED TV panels with Ultra HD resolution, according to Taiwan-based panel makers.

Korea TV vendors anticipate growth for Ultra HD TVs in the high-end TV segment over OLED TVs due to price advantages and have since been developing a variety of UHD products ranging from 40- to 80-inch plus units that also come equipped with curved features.

OLED TV shipments are expected to be limited in 2014 while Ultra HD TV shipments are expected to reach 17.83 million, up 475% on year, said Digitimes Research, adding that in 2017 global Ultra HD TV panel shipments will reach 72.5 million.

Despite the increasing popularity for Ultra HD TVs, Korea panel makers still anticipate growth for OLED TVs over the next few years, with shipments expected to see some of the biggest increases as of 2017 when OLED TV panel material costs are expected to decrease and yields increase.

The sources did not reveal when the 4K OLED TV panels would be released but recent market rumors indicated that various Japan- and China-based vendors are showing keen interest for use in units that might be released as early as 2014.