Omdia research forecasts AMOLED shipments to grow

Following the complete lifting of COVID-19 control measures in Q2 2023, smartphone display shipments have seen a rapid recovery, driven by increased outdoor and travel activities. In 2023, annual smartphone display shipments reached 1.45 billion units, representing a steady 5% year-on-year (YoY) increase from 2022. This upward trend is projected to continue into 2024, with smartphone display shipments in the first half of 2024 expected to reach 715 million units, up 9% YoY from 657 million units in the first half of 2023.

Amid this overall growth, a significant shift is occurring within the market: AMOLED shipments are rising while TFT LCD shipments are declining. According to Omdia’s Smartphone Display Market Tracker, actual shipment data for the first quarter of 2024 shows that AMOLED shipments increased to 182 million units, a 39% YoY rise, whereas TFT LCD shipments fell to 172 million units, a 10% YoY decrease. This marks the first instance of AMOLED shipments surpassing TFT LCD shipments on a quarterly basis.

Hiroshi Hayase, Research Manager in Omdia’s Display research practice said: “Chinese display makers are expanding the supply of high-quality AMOLED displays to Chinese smartphone brands at lower prices, rapidly replacing TFT LCDs in mid-range smartphones.”

Omdia’s short-term forecast suggests that AMOLED will account for 53% of smartphone display shipments in the second quarter of 2024, expanding to 56% in the third quarter, thereby exceeding 50%.

“The launch of the iPhone 16 will significantly boost AMOLED shipments in 4Q 2024, and AMOLED is expected to surpass TFT LCDs throughout the entire year of 2024. AMOLED will lead the smartphone display market in shipments from 2024 onwards,” concluded Hayase.