In the first quarter of this year, global organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panel sales showed a slight increase compared to last year, rebounding from a decline in the previous quarter. Samsung Display lost its position as the market leader in the foldable OLED institutional sector to China's BOE.
According to market research firm Counterpoint Research, OLED panel sales in the first quarter increased by 2% compared to the same period last year. This marked a rebound from a 3% decline in the fourth quarter of last year compared to the previous year.
This growth is influenced by the rise of augmented reality (AR) glasses, automobiles, smartwatches, TVs, monitors, and others. However, smartphones, which account for the largest share of OLED sales, saw stagnant sales, and laptops/PCs experienced a decline.
Samsung Display maintained its status as the largest supplier of OLEDs for iPhones, followed by LG Display and China's BOE. Shipments of flexible OLED smartphones increased by 4% compared to the previous year, but shipments of foldable OLED smartphones remained at the same level as last year.
Samsung Display retained its first place in the flexible and rigid OLED institutional sector but dropped to second place in the foldable OLED institutional sector due to competition from BOE.
This year, annual OLED panel shipments are expected to grow by 4% compared to last year. However, as the average selling price (ASP) of panels across all product lines, including smartphones, is predicted to decline, Counterpoint Research forecasts that sales will remain at last year's level. The ASP for OLED panels for smartphones is expected to decrease by 2% compared to last year.
Counterpoint Research noted, 'As new foldable and flagship products are launched ahead of the year-end shopping season in the second half of the year, a gradual recovery is expected, but it will be insufficient to offset the stagnation in overall sales growth this year.'