52% of Total Shipments in Q2
Shipments Rise with Mass Production of Galaxy Panels
"Significant Expansion Expected in 2026 with Apple Supply"
Samsung Display's shipments of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) for foldable phones surged, allowing the company to secure the top market share in the second quarter.
According to market research firm UBI Research on June 20, Samsung Display's shipments of OLEDs for foldable phones jumped from 250,000 units in April to 1.78 million units in May and 1.53 million units in June, accounting for 52% of total foldable phone OLED shipments in the second quarter.
In the second quarter, China's BOE shipped 1.8 million OLEDs for foldable phones, while CSOT and Visionox recorded shipments of 900,000 units and 500,000 units, respectively.
In the first quarter, Samsung Display shipped only about 250,000 OLEDs for foldable phones, trailing major Chinese panel makers such as BOE, CSOT, and Visionox. However, starting in May, with the mass production of panels for the Galaxy Z Flip and Fold7 series scheduled for release in the second half of the year, shipments increased sharply.
UBI Research forecasts that Samsung Display will maintain its number one market share in shipments in the third quarter as well. For 2026, the firm expects Samsung Display to retain its foldable OLED market share, as it will be the exclusive initial supplier of panels for Apple's foldable iPhone.
The global market for foldable phone OLEDs continues to grow. Total shipments increased from 15 million units in 2022 to 21.8 million units in 2023, and to 25 million units in 2024. This year, shipments are projected to reach 30.8 million units.
With Apple set to enter the foldable phone market next year and Chinese set makers increasing their foldable phone launches, shipments are expected to continue rising and surpass 50 million units by 2029.
Han Changwook, Vice President of UBI Research, said, "Thanks to the full-scale mass production of the Galaxy Flip and Fold7 series, Samsung Display will continue to lead in shipments in the third quarter." He added, "The overall foldable phone market is expected to remain at a similar level to last year, but the market will begin to expand significantly starting in 2026, when Apple's foldable phone is expected to be released."
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