According to the latest report by iSuppli AM-OLED (active-matrix organic light-emitting diode) display shipments for mobile handset applications are expected to grow to 447.7 million units in 2017, up from 195.1 million units in 2013. Within the mobile handset display market, the market share for AM-OLED displays is forecast to grow from 7.9 percent in 2013 to 15.2 percent in 2017, as presented in the figure below. AM-OLED’s market share for 4-inch or larger handset displays employed in smartphones is set to increase to 24.4 percent in 2017, up from 23.0 percent in 2013.
Figure: iSuppli - AM-OLED displays for mobile phones shipments (millions)
The new Galaxy S4 from Samsung Electronics joins a growing trend of premium smartphones featuring AM-OLED panels, spurring the market for these high-quality displays to more than double by 2017. The Galaxy S4 will be the first Full HD AM-OLED display offering in the market. However, material lifetime, color balance and limited supplier base still need to be addressed for a larger market presence of OLEDs and stronger competitiveness against LTPS TFT-LCDs.
Vinita Jakhanwal, director for mobile & emerging displays and technology at IHS, said, "Because of their use in marquee products like the Galaxy S4, high-quality AMOLEDs are growing in popularity and gaining share at the expense of liquid crystal display (LCD) screens." Vinita added, "These attractive AMOLEDs are part of a growing trend of large-sized, high-resolution displays used in mobile devices. With the S4 representing the first time that a full high-definition (HD) AMOLED has been used in mobile handsets, Samsung continues to raise the profile of this display technology."
