Global smartphone display shipments experienced a surge in 2024, with AMOLED displays surpassing TFT LCDs for the first time, according to Omdia. The smartphone display market grew by 7% YoY, reaching a total of 1.55 billion units. AMOLED shipments accounted for 784 million units, marking a significant 26% increase from the previous year. In contrast, TFT LCD shipments declined by 8%, falling to 761 million units. As a result, AMOLED displays made up 51% of the total smartphone display shipments, cementing their dominance in the industry.
A key driver of this shift has been the growing demand for flexible AMOLED panels, particularly in the mid-range smartphone segment. Since late 2022, Chinese display manufacturers have aggressively lowered prices for flexible AMOLED panels, making them a more viable option for smartphone brands traditionally reliant on rigid AMOLED or LTPS TFT LCD screens. This shift has propelled flexible AMOLED displays to claim 40% of the total smartphone display market in 2024, up from 28% in 2022.
Chinese display manufacturers have capitalized on this trend, significantly increasing their AMOLED shipments by 45% YoY. Their expanding partnerships with local smartphone brands have strengthened their position, with their market share rising to 45% of all AMOLED smartphone display shipments. Meanwhile, Korean display makers have seen a decline in market share as they focus on supplying premium AMOLED panels for high-end devices from brands such as Apple and Samsung, which offer more stable demand and higher profit margins.
Looking ahead to 2025, AMOLED display shipments are projected to continue their upward trajectory. The anticipated launch of a new iPhone SE, along with further AMOLED adoption by Android smartphone manufacturers, is expected to sustain this momentum. Chinese display makers are likely to expand their market presence even further, leveraging their strong relationships with domestic smartphone brands to drive continued growth.
