Strong sales of premium OLED TVs combined with rebounding smartphone sales over the past year have driven a sharp increase in demand for AMOLED display panels according to a new report from Omdia.
The research company says that total area demand is expected to reach 14.2 million square meters, a 52.0% year-on-year (YoY) increase over 2020.
Active matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) display demand will continue to see strong growth in 2022, although at a reduced level compared to 2021, before settling into a steadier demand pattern over the next several years, according to Omdia’s latest Display Long-Term Demand Forecast Tracker.
The firm projects global AMOLED display demand by area will rise by 11.6% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2021 to 2028.
“AMOLED has successfully penetrated the smartphone market, where we expect it to hold market share greater than 35% in 2021,” comments Ricky Park, senior principal analyst, Omdia Displays Research.
“Most smartphone brands have adopted AMOLED panels for their high-end models, and they have recently started to aggressively launch foldable smartphones as well.”
Park also points out that Samsung Display, LG Display and BOE have been willing to increase supply capacity for foldable displays, and growing demand for larger and higher resolution screens is also increasing AMOLED demand.
TV Production Overtakes Smart Device Consumption of AMOLED Technologies
Omdia estimates that demand for OLED TV displays increased by 63% YoY in 2021. In 2021 LG Display increased capacity for WOLED TV displays. The company started mass production during the third quarter (Q3) of 2020 at its Guangzhou fab, and production yield stabilized at the plant in 2021.
Omdia asserts that because AMOLED panels are a better solution for premium televisions more TV brands are willing to launch OLED TVs.
“We expect that, based on area, OLED demand for TV will exceed smartphone demand for the first time in 2021,” notes Park.
“Samsung Display, as the second supplier for OLED TV displays, started mass production of QD OLED TV displays in November 2021, and Samsung Electronics and Sony are planning to launch QD OLED TVs this year.”
In addition, mobile PC brands have started to adopt AMOLED displays for their high-end models, and Samsung Display is aggressively increasing its supply volume and product lineup with various specifications. Thinner and lighter displays have improved product quality for mobile PCs and therefore are attractive as a differentiator in the market emphasizes the research company.
Other IT applications are expected to be the next potential markets for AMOLED, Park concludes. These applications include notebooks, tablets, and desktop monitors.
