Global OLED shipments for small and medium-sized displays are set to surpass one billion units in 2025, according to a new report from Omdia. This milestone marks the culmination of two decades of OLED technology evolution, which began with displays under 10 inches.
The surge in OLED adoption is being driven by its superior performance characteristics compared to traditional LCD displays, including enhanced color saturation, slimmer form factors, lighter weight, flexibility, and superior contrast ratios. These advantages have accelerated the transition from LCD to OLED technology, particularly as production capacity expands in China.
“OLED has proven ideal for small to medium displays despite its higher cost and more complex manufacturing,” says David Hsieh, Senior Research Director of Displays at Omdia. “Its slim design, lightweight properties, excellent picture quality, efficient power consumption, and flexibility make it particularly attractive for modern device applications.”
The growth is particularly notable in the smartphone sector, where Chinese manufacturers including BOE, TCL CSOT, EverDisplay, Visionox, and Tianma are making significant strides, alongside established Korean giants Samsung and LG. The technology is also gaining traction in emerging markets such as AR/VR devices, automotive displays, and wearables.
Manufacturers are actively investing in advanced production processes and innovations, including:
- Gen8.6 fabrication facilities
- LTPO+ backplane technology
- Under-display cameras
- Hybrid OLED solutions
- Tandem RGB OLED technology
- Mask-less photolithographic deposition
- Ink jet printing methods
However, the report also highlights potential challenges ahead. While OLED is expected to enjoy a “golden era” lasting several decades, emerging technologies like MicroLED displays are beginning to show promise. Both Samsung and LG are already developing stretchable MicroLED displays, while manufacturers such as AUO and Tianma are initiating mass production of small to medium MicroLED displays.
