Since Samsung started using AMOLED display panels in its smartphones, especially the Galaxy S series, the popularity of AMOLED display panels has increased tremendously. Market research firm IHS iSuppli is reporting that the sale of smartphone AMOLED screens has continued to increase by a great deal. The share of AMOLED technology in the smartphone display market has increased from 22.8 percent in Q3 2014 to 34.6 percent in Q2 2015.
According to the report, the sales of smartphone AMOLED displays during Q3 2014 were about $1.521 billion, and that increased to $1.749 billion during Q4 2014. The sales figures for Q1 and Q2 of 2015 were $2.371 billion and $2.49 billion respectively. On the other hand, the LCD display panel market has seen negative growth for two quarters continuously from $6.462 billion in Q4 2014 to $4.893 billion in Q1 2015, and $4.73 billion in Q2 2015.
This rise in AMOLED adoption could also be a result of reduction in AMOLED display panel prices. According to IHS iSuppli, the price difference between 1080p LCD and AMOLED display panels has reduced from $18 to $8. Samsung Display, a display manufacturing subsidiary of Samsung, represents a staggering 99 percent of the AMOLED smartphone display panel market, and it is increasing its competitiveness by reducing the manufacturing cost and stabilizing the manufacturing process.
Due to the decrease in AMOLED display panel cost for smartphones, more brands have started using them in their smartphones, especially the high-end ones. In China, at least fifteen different smartphone models have been released so far this year. Samsung, which used to equip only their high-end smartphones with Super AMOLED display panels, has started using them even in their entry-level Galaxy J series and mid-range Galaxy A series smartphones.
Moreover, with the advent of smartwatches, the adoption of AMOLED display technology has increased widely due to their energy efficiency factor while displaying blacks. Samsung has recently unveiled the Gear S2 smartwatch that uses a completely circular Super AMOLED display panel. We can say that Samsung's efforts in popularising AMOLED display panels has finally starting to pay off.
