Chinese manufacturers ramp up production, challenging Samsung's dominance in laptop OLED panels
Category: Business
As the demand for organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels continues to surge, Samsung Display finds itself at a crossroads. Currently dominating the affordable laptop OLED panel market with a supply share exceeding 70%, the company is now facing increasing competition from Chinese manufacturers, particularly as global brands look to diversify their supply chains.
According to market research firm Sigmaintell, Samsung Display's OLED supply for laptops has reached a remarkable 70%, with major players like Acer relying heavily on the company. Reports indicate that around 75% of Acer's OLED panel procurement comes from Samsung Display. Lenovo has also positioned Samsung as its primary supplier, supplementing its needs with EDO and BOE panels. Dell, on the other hand, primarily utilizes Samsung Display OLEDs, except for its XPS product line, which sources panels exclusively from LG Display.
Looking ahead, analysts predict that this dominance may be challenged as Chinese companies ramp up production capabilities. Sigmaintell notes that CSOT, a major Chinese manufacturer, is set to start mass production of inkjet printing (IJP) OLED panels for laptops in the fourth quarter of this year, following its successful launch of monitor panels in the third quarter. The T12 (5.5-generation) IJP line is expected to significantly impact the market, with a production capacity of approximately 22,500 units per month.
In the mid- to high-end laptop segment, BOE is also making strides. Its B16 line, which began mass production in the second quarter of this year, is projected to increase its monthly output from 8,000 to 16,000 units. BOE aims to boost its flexible OLED shipments by around 2.6 times compared to the previous year, targeting an annual output of 1 to 2 million units by introducing new 16-inch 3.2K products in 2027.
The surge in demand for OLED panels isn't limited to laptops. The global gaming market's rapid growth is also driving an increase in OLED monitor panel shipments. According to Omdia, shipments of monitor OLED panels are expected to rise from 574,000 units this year to 762,000 by 2028, surpassing TV OLED panel shipments for the first time. By 2029, monitor shipments are projected to reach 868,000, compared to 743,000 for TVs.
This shift is largely attributed to the increasing demand for high-performance gaming monitors capable of delivering high refresh rates and fast response times. As gamers seek out displays that can handle high-definition graphics, the need for advanced OLED technology continues to grow. The average selling price of OLED monitors has also seen a decline, dropping below $1,000 for the first time, which has made these high-quality displays more accessible to consumers.
In response to this booming market, South Korean display manufacturers are diversifying their client bases. LG Display has begun supplying OLED panels for a flagship monitor line launched by ASRock, a leading Taiwanese motherboard manufacturer. This partnership reflects a strategic move to tap into the premium gaming monitor market, which has become increasingly lucrative as demand for high-quality displays rises.
Samsung Display is also making waves by significantly enlarging its lineup of quantum dot OLED gaming monitors, particularly targeting the esports segment. Industry insiders suggest that as the growth in large TV markets stagnates, high-performance gaming and IT OLED panels represent a promising revenue stream for display manufacturers.
As the OLED technology continues to evolve, manufacturers are investing in next-generation production techniques. LG Display is moving away from traditional RGB OLED processes to develop the world's first FLiPP OLED line, which is set to begin production for IT products by 2029. This innovative approach could redefine the capabilities of OLED technology in various applications.
Meanwhile, Visionox is set to start mass production of flexible WQ and OLED laptop projects in the third quarter of 2026, with plans to ramp up production of ViP WQ+ products in the fourth quarter. These efforts highlight the growing competition in the OLED space, particularly as brands strive to secure their place in an increasingly crowded market.
As the OLED panel market evolves, the competitive dynamics are shifting, with both established players like Samsung and LG and new entrants from China vying for market share. The future will likely see a more diversified supply chain as brands adapt to the changing technological and consumer landscapes, ensuring that innovation continues to drive this vibrant industry.