The visibility of orders for small-size LCD panel driver ICs has extended through the end of the second quarter, thanks to a ramp-up in orders prior to new phone and tablet rollouts as well as a pick-up in feature phone demand, according to sources at Taiwan-based driver IC design firms.

Meanwhile, prices for medium- to large-size panels have stabilized signaling end-market demand is about to return, the sources indicated.

Orders for small-size driver ICs has flowed in since March with some requested to be fulfilled until the end of the second quarter, the sources said, crediting the launch of upcoming tablets and mobile phones. Demand coming from the feature handset sector is also warming up, the sources added.

Himax Technologies, Orise Technology, ILI Technology (Ilitek) and Sitronix Technology, which specialize in small-size driver ICs, are all expected to enjoy substantial sales growth sequentially in the second quarter, the sources believe.

In addition, demand for medium- to large-size driver ICs used in TVs, PCs and notebooks is set to boom later in the second quarter, the sources pointed out. A recent stabilizing in panel prices implies demand seems to be bottoming out, the sources said.