Despite a projected double-digit decline in smartphone shipments due to the coronavirus pandemic, the global market for active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) smartphone displays is expected to rise by 9 percent in 2020, according to Omdia.
Shipments of AMOLED panels used in smartphones are set to soar to 513 million units this year, up from 471 million in 2019, as reported by the Omdia OLED Display Market Tracker. In contrast, worldwide smartphone shipments are expected to plunge by 13 percent in 2020 as the coronavirus impacts both consumer demand and supply-chain availability. This indicates that the penetration of AMOLED panels is rising sharply this year.
“Smartphone brands across the world increasingly are migrating their product lines to AMOLED display technology—even amidst the catastrophic market conditions spurred by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Brian Huh, principal analyst, small/medium displays, for Omdia. “Apple is expected to expand its AMOLED iPhone line-up to three models in 2020, up from two in 2019. Meanwhile, Chinese smartphone OEMs are expected to increase the number of high-end smartphones integrating AMOLED panels this year.”
This growth is entirely driven by demand for flexible AMOLEDs, whose shipments are expected to increase by 50 percent in 2020. Demand for foldable smartphones is helping fuel sales growth for flexible AMOLEDs.
In contrast, the rigid AMOLED market is forecast to decline by 12 percent in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic and the fierce competition with the alternative display technology: low-temperature polysilicon (LTPS) TFT LCD.