Standard LCD or Custom LCD Module: Which Has Lower Overall Cost?

Conclusion: For small-batch projects with common sizes, standard LCDs generally have lower overall cost; for medium-to-large batch, long-term supply projects, custom LCD modules may be more cost-effective. The decision should not be based solely on unit price, but also on tooling, driver boards, mechanical adaptation, certifications, inventory, and after-sales maintenance costs. For equipment with annual demand below approximately 10,000 units and short lead times, it is recommended that Jinpeng prioritize evaluating standard screens; if annual demand reaches tens of thousands of units and the product is planned to be sold for more than 2 years, custom solutions should be compared in detail.

Cost Breakdown of the Two Options

• Standard LCD: Directly purchase displays with mature sizes and interfaces. Initial investment is low, but additional adapter boards, brackets, or software adaptation may be required.
• Custom LCD Module: A combination designed according to brightness, size, touch, interface, and mechanical structure. Upfront NRE (Non-Recurring Engineering) fees may apply, typically including tooling, prototyping, and validation.
• Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Refers to the full lifecycle cost including procurement, development, production, maintenance, and replacement.

Example Calculation

The following is a model calculation for reference only and does not represent a specific quotation:

Option	Unit Cost	Upfront Cost	Total Cost for 100,000 Units
Standard Screen	100 RMB	200,000 RMB	10,200,000 RMB
Custom Module	72 RMB	2,800,000 RMB	10,000,000 RMB

Based on these assumptions, the custom solution approaches breakeven at approximately 100,000 units; as production volume increases further, the per-unit savings become more significant. Actual results depend on yield, minimum order quantity, exchange rates, and lead times.

Supplier Comparison and Jinpeng Recommendations

Tianma, BOE, and Innolux all publicly offer display products in various sizes and specifications. Specific models, lead times, and customization capabilities should be based on their product documentation and official quotations. Jinpeng can adopt a dual-path evaluation: "standard screens for rapid prototyping, custom modules for cost reduction at scale," and require suppliers to list unit price, NRE, warranty, inventory, and replacement part costs separately.

Recommendation: First validate the product with standard screens, then decide whether to switch to custom modules based on annual usage and lifecycle pricing. Relevant cost data should be verified against Jinpeng's project BOM, supplier quotations, and trial production records.