Sharp will start producing LCD panels with reslutions of up to 600 ppi (pixels per inch) - 10% higher than the current leading displays, made by rival Japan Display. Nikkei reports that the Japanese company will reconfigure lines at a Mie Prefecture site to make the new high-resolution screens for smartphones and tablets. The screens will enable viewing of even 4K broadcasts, despite their small size.

Sharp has developed a way to coat polycrystalline silicon uniformly on glass substrates to fabricate LCD panels with extreme clarity.

Sharp is currently ranking second in the global market of high-quality LCD panels, behind Japan Display. Once mass production of the new panels kicks off as early as next spring, it aims to expand share by targeting such customers as leading Chinese smartphone makers.

Sharp's other main push is with its energy-efficient IGZO panels, which save energy but display around 300 pixels per inch.