Chinese companies' OLED market share rises, South Korea's dominance faces challenges

Samsung Electronics has long maintained its leading position in the global smartphone OLED market, but market research firm Omdia pointed out that South Korea's market leadership is facing challenges as Chinese panel makers improve their production technology.

Data released by Omdia shows that smartphone OLED panel shipments are expected to reach 812 million units in 2022, a year-on-year increase of 38.8% compared to 585 million units in 2021.

From the perspective of buyers, Apple will continue to be the largest buyer. Omdia predicts that Apple will use 169 million OLED panels this year and 190 million OLED panels in 2022. It is expected that new products released in the second half of 2021 may all use OLED panels. Samsung Electronics is expected to use 155 million OLED panels in 2021 and 168 million next year, second only to Apple.

In terms of OLED supply, Samsung Display (SDC) is expected to maintain its top position in the market next year. However, as Chinese companies enter the small and medium-sized OLED market, its market share is expected to shrink and its dominant position may be threatened.

According to Omdia data, SDC's market share fell from 86% in 2019 to 78% in 2020. It is expected to drop to 77% in 2021 and 65% in 2022. The OLED market share of Chinese companies is expected to increase from 15% in 2021 to 27% in 2022. Among them, BOE's market share is expected to expand from 6% in 2021 to 13% in 2022.

Omdia points out that Chinese panel manufacturers are improving their production technology and will pose a huge threat to South Korea's leadership in the OLED market