The global market for small-sized OLED displays is on a path of steady expansion through the end of the decade, fueled primarily by the rising demand from smartphones, particularly Apple's iPhone lineup. However, with demand expected to outpace supply, analysts are warning of a potential OLED panel shortage as early as 2028.

China's BOE Technology is moving to diversify Apple's iPhone display driver IC (DDI) supply chain, a shift that threatens South Korea's LX Semicon, once a dominant and long-standing supplier in the market.

Samsung Display (SDC), LG Display (LGD), and China's BOE are expected to maintain their positions in Apple's iPhone panel supply chain through 2025 and 2026, according to industry forecasts. Samsung, in particular, is poised to expand its portfolio as Apple prepares to mass-produce its first foldable iPhone.

Samsung Display (SDC) is executing a sweeping organizational overhaul across both its IT and small-to-medium panel businesses, aiming to solidify its leadership in OLED displays while countering growing competition from China.

Global notebook brands are pressuring Taiwan's optical component suppliers to diversify production under a "Non-China, Non-Taiwan" (NCNT) mandate. What started as efforts to reduce reliance on China has expanded into demands that by 2027, supply chains fully exit Taiwan, which major PC makers now view as a geopolitical risk.