OLED Display Shipments Surpass TFT LCD for the First Time

AMOLED display shipments for smartphones continued to rise in 2024, surpassing TFT LCD shipments, according to Omdia. The market segment was driven by strong demand for flexible AMOLEDs.

The global smartphone display market grew 7% year-over-year in 2024, reaching 1.55 billion units, marking its second consecutive year of growth. Total AMOLED display shipments rose to 784 million units, a 26% YoY increase, while TFT LCD shipments declined to 761 million units, an 8% decrease. As a result, AMOLED display shipments surpassed TFT LCD shipments for the first time, accounting for 51% of total smartphone display shipments in 2024.

Since the second half of 2022, Chinese display makers have significantly reduced the prices of flexible AMOLED panels. This has led major smartphone OEMs to upgrade mid-range smartphone screens, which traditionally use rigid AMLED and LTPS TFT LCD panels, to flexible AMOLEDs. This display replacement trend will continue in 2024, driving flexible AMOLED’s market share up from 28% of the total smartphone display market in 2022 to 40% in 2024.

Chinese display makers' AMOLED display shipments increased by 45% in 2024, compared to 2023, enabled by the rapid market expansion of Chinese local smartphone OEMs. As a result, their AMOLED display shipment share continued to rise, reaching 45% of total AMOLED smartphone display shipments. Meanwhile, Korean display makers' shipments saw their market share continue to decline. Instead, they focused on the premium segment supplying Apple and Samsung, which offer more stable demand and higher-margin products.

“AMOLED display shipments for smartphones are expected to continue growing in 2025 due to strong demand from Apple including the launch of the new iPhone SE launch, as well as ongoing AMOELD adoption by Android OEMs replacing TFT LCDs.  Additionally, Chinese display makers are expected to further increase their market share, leveraging their strong supply chain relationships with local smartphone brands,” said Brian Huh, Senior Analyst in Omdia’s Display research practice.