Samsung Plans to Supply OLED Screens to Chinese Smartphone Makers in 2025: A Response to the Rise of Domestic Competitors

Samsung Plans to Supply OLED Screens to Chinese Smartphone Makers in 2025: A Response to the Rise of Domestic CompetitorsOn December 24th, reports surfaced that Samsung Electronics plans to supply a variety of OLED screen specifications to Chinese smartphone manufacturers in 2025, aiming to revitalize its market share in China. The planned screens will cover currently mainstream market demands, including 2K LTPO deeply curved screens, 2K LTPS flat screens, 1

Samsung Plans to Supply OLED Screens to Chinese Smartphone Makers in 2025: A Response to the Rise of Domestic Competitors

On December 24th, reports surfaced that Samsung Electronics plans to supply a variety of OLED screen specifications to Chinese smartphone manufacturers in 2025, aiming to revitalize its market share in China. The planned screens will cover currently mainstream market demands, including 2K LTPO deeply curved screens, 2K LTPS flat screens, 1.5K LTPO deeply curved screens, and 1.5K LTPO flat screens, encompassing various sizes. This move is interpreted as Samsung's response to the rise of domestic Chinese screen manufacturers and increasingly fierce market competition.

In recent years, domestic Chinese screen manufacturers such as BOE, Huaxing Optoelectronics, and Visionox have rapidly risen, leveraging advancements in technology and close collaborations with domestic phone brands. This has resulted in an increasingly larger market share, directly leading to a continuous decline in Samsung's OLED screen share in the Chinese flagship phone market. Many domestic phone brands that once widely used Samsung OLED screens have now switched to domestic screen suppliers.

Specifically, Xiaomi's latest flagship models, the Xiaomi 14 series, Xiaomi 15 series, and Redmi K80 series, all feature Huaxing Optoelectronics' OLED screens. OnePlus has extensively adopted screens co-developed with BOE in its OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 13 series, demonstrating a deep collaborative relationship. The vivo X200 series uses screens supplied by both BOE and Visionox, highlighting the diversified supply capabilities of domestic screen manufacturers. The main screen supplier for the OPPO Find X8 series is also locked in with domestic manufacturers like BOE and Tianma.

Notably, among the numerous domestic flagship models launched at the end of 2024, only the Realme GT7 Pro used a Samsung OLED screen. This highlights the significant decline in Samsung's market share in the Chinese high-end smartphone screen market and the dominant position of domestic manufacturers in the market competition.

Samsung's screen technology has always been at the forefront of the industry. However, in the Chinese market, the rise of domestic manufacturers is not solely driven by price competition. As Chinese consumers' needs for phone screens evolve, they increasingly focus on eye-protection features and user experience, such as high refresh rates, low power consumption, and more accurate color reproduction. Domestic manufacturers have made significant progress in these areas and are better able to meet the specific needs of Chinese consumers. This has given domestic screens a competitive edge, gaining favor with more domestic smartphone manufacturers.

Samsung's plan to supply various specifications of OLED screens to Chinese smartphone manufacturers is undoubtedly a key strategy to regain market share. However, considering the current market competition landscape in China, where BOE and other domestic manufacturers have established relatively stable market positions and supply chain systems, the challenges facing Samsung remain immense.

The success of Samsung's move will depend on several factors. First, Samsung needs to offer competitive pricing and differentiated technological advantages to attract Chinese smartphone manufacturers. Relying solely on brand premium may no longer be effective, requiring comprehensive competition in product performance, price, and supply chain stability. Second, Samsung needs to fully understand the changing needs of the Chinese market and develop and produce screen products that better cater to the preferences of Chinese consumers. This is not just a technological competition but also a precise grasp of market demand. Third, Samsung needs to build stronger partnerships and establish long-term, stable cooperation models with Chinese smartphone manufacturers to achieve sustainable development in the fierce market competition.

Furthermore, Samsung needs to closely monitor the technological development trends of domestic Chinese screen manufacturers. The technological innovation capabilities of domestic manufacturers are increasing, continuously improving product performance and lowering costs, posing ongoing pressure on Samsung. Therefore, Samsung needs not only to maintain its technological leadership but also to comprehensively optimize and adjust its supply chain management and market strategies to succeed in the fiercely competitive Chinese market.

In summary, Samsung's plan to supply OLED screens to Chinese smartphone manufacturers in 2025 is a positive response to the changing competitive landscape in the Chinese market. However, faced with the strong rise of domestic manufacturers and increasingly sophisticated market demands, whether Samsung can successfully rebuild its position in the Chinese market remains highly uncertain. This is not only a reflection of Samsung's strategic adjustments but also an important microcosm of the development of China's smartphone screen industry, foreshadowing a more diversified and fiercely competitive future for the Chinese market. Samsung needs to proactively address these challenges to maintain its foothold in this market full of opportunities and challenges.