Right now, every smartphone maker is struggling with the rising prices of RAM, NAND storage, and soon CPU components. This is relatively new, and we’ve already seen price increases from a lot of phone makers, but they can’t keep raising prices and expecting to sell more units.
So what’s the alternative? Well, it looks like the alternative is to cut costs elsewhere. According to the latest data from UBI Research, smartphone OLED shipments declined by 12% in the first quarter of 2026 versus 2025. It’s also down about 20% versus Q4 2025, though that is not quite a fair comparison, as the holiday quarter usually results in a lot more phone sales than the first quarter of the year.
Samsung still holds the lead in this segment, with 44% of the market. With the next closest being BOE at 16%. This means that the lower OLED shipments are going to hurt Samsung even more.
Samsung is rumored to be using BOE for the Galaxy S27 next year, to save some cash
Over the weekend, a report emerged that Samsung might be looking to use BOE for the OLED display on the base Galaxy S27 next year to cut costs. Likely as a way to keep from having to raise the price yet again. After all, the Galaxy S26 did get a $100 price increase this year.
BOE displays are typically cheaper than Samsung Display, but they aren’t on the same level as what Samsung offers. Which is why Apple has given Samsung Display the exclusive rights to manufacture its displays for the iPhone Ultra (it’s foldable iPhone).
How much would this lower costs is up for debate. As the price for these type of components are not disclosed and typically differ based on the customer. A company the size of Samsung can get a better deal on components than a smaller phone maker like Nothing.
The post Smartphone OLED shipments just tanked 12%, and Samsung has the most to lose appeared first on Android Headlines.
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