Danny Weber
OLED panel shipments for smartphones dropped 12% YoY in Q1 2026 due to DRAM memory crisis. Samsung leads with 44% market share, while BOE rises to second. Learn how supply chain disruptions affect the market.
The ongoing DRAM memory crisis continues to weigh on the global smartphone market, and its impact is now clearly visible in OLED display shipments. With weaker demand for mobile devices, manufacturers have reduced component orders, disrupting nearly the entire supply chain.
According to UBI Research, OLED panel shipments for smartphones dropped 12% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2026. Total volumes reached roughly 190 million units — 20% below the level recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Despite the downturn, Samsung maintains its lead thanks to its massive production capacity. It currently commands about 44% of the global smartphone OLED display market. LG Display, meanwhile, holds a roughly 9% share, though analysts believe LG could strengthen its position later this year once it secures orders for displays destined for upcoming iPhone models.
Amid market volatility, Chinese manufacturer BOE has seen its position strengthen considerably. It now ranks second among OLED panel suppliers with around 16% of the market. Its growth is partly attributed to competitive component pricing, a critical factor as memory and other parts become more expensive.
However, BOE continues to grapple with quality and production consistency. Apple has reportedly run into problems with the company's panels on multiple occasions. Even so, rumor has it that Samsung is eyeing BOE OLED displays for the base Galaxy S27 as a way to cut costs while component prices keep climbing.
Experts say that, despite lower OLED panel shipments, major manufacturers still have bright prospects. The market is adapting to the memory shortage and evolving demand, with companies actively searching for ways to reduce expenses without halting the launch of new products.
© A. Krivonosov