From commanding a staggering 92% of the global foldable display market to maintaining a vice-like grip on the premium OLED arena, the Korean display industry's 2023 was a masterclass in strategic dominance amid ferocious competition.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, Samsung Display produced 160 million large OLED panels for TVs, accounting for 100% of global IT OLED panel production
- LG Display's OLED panel production capacity reached 12 million units annually by end of 2023 for TV applications
- South Korea's total LCD panel production capacity was 250 million square meters per month in Q4 2023, led by Samsung and LG
- Samsung Display commanded 65% global market share in OLED panels in 2023
- LG Display held 35% of the large-area OLED TV panel market in 2023
- Combined Korean share in small OLED panels was 70% in Q4 2023, ahead of Chinese rivals
- Samsung Display revenue reached KRW 37.4 trillion in 2023, up 8% YoY
- LG Display's annual revenue was KRW 23.1 trillion in 2023, down 15% due to LCD slump
- Korean display industry total revenue hit KRW 70 trillion in 2023, 25% from OLED growth
- Samsung Display introduced world's first Under Display Camera (UDC) OLED with 400 PPI in 2021, commercialized in 2023 Galaxy Z Fold
- LG Display achieved 30% higher light efficiency in WOLED panels with META technology boosting brightness to 3,000 nits in 2023
- Samsung Display developed QD-OLED with 99% DCI-P3 color gamut and 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio for 2023 TVs
- Korea's display industry exported $28 billion worth of panels to China in 2023
- Samsung Display's exports accounted for 95% of its revenue, totaling $35 billion in 2023
- LG Display shipped 80% of production overseas, mainly to US and Europe, $18 billion in 2023
Korean display industry leads in OLED production globally despite Chinese competition.
Exports and Global Presence
- Korea's display industry exported $28 billion worth of panels to China in 2023
- Samsung Display's exports accounted for 95% of its revenue, totaling $35 billion in 2023
- LG Display shipped 80% of production overseas, mainly to US and Europe, $18 billion in 2023
- Korean OLED panels exports grew 20% YoY to 450 million units in 2023
- Exports to US for TV OLED reached $10 billion from Korea in 2023
- Samsung Display supplied 90% of global foldable exports from Korea base in 2023
- Korea's display trade surplus was $25 billion in 2023, driven by OLED
- LG Display's Guangzhou exports back to Korea and global hit $5 billion OLED in 2023
- Korean small OLED exports to Vietnam assembly plants $3 billion in 2023
- Exports of high-end mobile OLED to Europe grew 15% to $4.5 billion 2023
- Korea held 60% of global TV OLED export market share in 2023 shipments
- Samsung Display's India exports doubled to $2 billion for smartphone panels 2023
- Total Korean display exports volume 650 million panels, 90% OLED/LCD hybrid 2023
- LG Display exported 6 million WOLED panels to Sony and Panasonic in 2023
- Korea's automotive display exports reached $6 billion, 25% global supply 2023
- Samsung Display's Apple-bound exports $15 billion FOB Korea ports 2023
- Exports to Japan for IT panels $1.2 billion despite competition 2023
- Korean firms established 40% global supply chain presence via overseas fabs 2023
- OLED exports ASP premium over LCD by 50% driving $40B total 2023
- Samsung Display Vietnam exports contributed $4 billion to Korea totals 2023
- Korea's share in global display exports was 42% by value in 2023
- LG Display's EU exports for commercial displays $800 million 2023
- Foldable OLED exports from Korea hit 50 million units, $8B value 2023
- Korean display exports to Southeast Asia surged 30% to $7 billion 2023
- Samsung Display led with 70% of Korea's total display exports in 2023
Exports and Global Presence Interpretation
With a strategic focus on premium OLED and foldable panels, South Korea has masterfully transformed its display industry into a global titan, wielding a $25 billion trade surplus as both its shield and scepter while its rivals scramble to keep up.
Market Share and Competition
- Samsung Display commanded 65% global market share in OLED panels in 2023
- LG Display held 35% of the large-area OLED TV panel market in 2023
- Combined Korean share in small OLED panels was 70% in Q4 2023, ahead of Chinese rivals
- Samsung Display led smartphone display market with 31% share in 2023 shipments of 1.4 billion units
- LG Display captured 20% of IT OLED monitor panel market in 2023
- Korean firms dominated 92% of foldable smartphone display supply in 2023
- BOE overtook Samsung in total LCD panel market share at 26% vs 24% in 2023
- Samsung Display's share in premium QD-OLED was 100% in 2023
- LG Display held 55% of WOLED TV panel shipments in 2023
- Korean OLED share in global display market rose to 25% in 2023 from 18% in 2022
- Samsung led automotive display market with 28% share in Korea-driven supply chain 2023
- Total Korean display market share globally was 40% in 2023 revenue terms
- LG Display's share in 8K OLED panels was 100% in 2023
- Samsung Display held 75% of rigid AMOLED for flagships in 2023
- Chinese firms like Tianma took 15% small LCD share from Korea's 35% in 2023
- Samsung and LG together supplied 85% of Apple iPhone OLED panels in 2023
- Korea's share in tablet OLED panels was 60% in 2023, led by Samsung
- LG Display dominated 42% of gaming monitor OLED supply in 2023
- Samsung Display's global TV panel share was 18% in 2023, mostly OLED shift
- Korean firms held 90% of high PPI (>500) mobile displays in 2023
- BOE's rise eroded Korean LCD TV panel share to 30% in 2023
- Samsung led wearable display market with 55% share in 2023
- LG Display's commercial signage OLED share was 40% globally in 2023
- Korea captured 68% of flexible OLED shipments worldwide in 2023
Market Share and Competition Interpretation
While Samsung and LG comfortably dominate the premium OLED landscape with an almost artistic monopoly, their command of the broader display stage is a more nuanced performance, carefully ceding the commodity LCD floor to rising Chinese rivals like BOE while still holding the spotlight on every innovative and high-value screen that truly matters.
Production and Capacity
- In 2023, Samsung Display produced 160 million large OLED panels for TVs, accounting for 100% of global IT OLED panel production
- LG Display's OLED panel production capacity reached 12 million units annually by end of 2023 for TV applications
- South Korea's total LCD panel production capacity was 250 million square meters per month in Q4 2023, led by Samsung and LG
- BOE surpassed Samsung Display in small OLED production volume in Q3 2023 with 15% higher output, but Korea still held 45% global share
- Samsung Display's Gen 8.5 OLED fab in Asan produced over 50,000 substrates monthly for foldable smartphones in 2023
- LG Display invested KRW 1.2 trillion to expand Paju OLED capacity to 18 million panels by 2025
- Korea's flexible OLED production reached 250 million units in 2023, 70% from Samsung Display
- Total Korean display panel shipment volume hit 720 million units in 2023, down 5% YoY due to LCD decline
- Samsung Display's Vietnam plant produced 30 million LCD panels in 2023 before full shift to OLED
- LG Display's Guangzhou OLED fab reached full capacity of 6 million TV panels in Q4 2023
- Korean firms supplied 92% of global rigid OLED panels for smartphones in 2023
- Samsung Display ramped up Gen 8 QD-OLED production to 30,000 panels per month in 2024 Q1
- Total Korean small/medium display capacity utilization rate was 85% in 2023
- LG Display's E6 OLED line produced 1.2 million panels quarterly in 2023
- Samsung Display's A5 OLED fab output grew 25% YoY to 120,000 substrates monthly in 2023
- Korea's microLED pilot production reached 10,000 units in 2023 from Samsung and LG labs
- BOE's challenge led to Korean LCD capacity cuts of 20% in 2023, totaling 50 million sqm/month reduction
- Samsung Display held 52% of global large OLED TV panel production capacity in 2023
- LG Display's total OLED capacity was 25 million panels annually by 2023 end
- Korean display firms produced 400 million smartphone OLED panels in 2023
- Samsung Display's Pyeongtaek mega-fab Gen 10.5 LCD line converted to OLED with 60,000 substrates/month capacity
- Total Korean IT OLED panel production was 100% monopoly by Samsung in 2023 at 160 million units
- LG Display's WOLED panel yield rate improved to 95% in 2023 for 77-inch models
- Samsung Display supplied 220 million mobile OLED panels in 2023, 48% global share
- Korean firms' total display investment in capacity expansion was KRW 15 trillion in 2023
- Samsung Display's foldable OLED production hit 50 million units in 2023
- LG Display ceased LCD production at some lines, reducing capacity by 10 million sqm/month in 2023
- Total Korean OLED capacity reached 500 million units equivalent in 2023 for small panels
- Samsung Display's Gen 6 mobile OLED fab utilization was 92% in Q4 2023
- Korea produced 95% of global high-end TV OLED panels in 2023, totaling 8 million units
Production and Capacity Interpretation
In the ongoing display dynasty saga, Korea has skillfully maneuvered its OLED knights into a near-checkmate position, commanding the premium board despite the looming Chinese dragon at its LCD borders.
Revenue and Sales
- Samsung Display revenue reached KRW 37.4 trillion in 2023, up 8% YoY
- LG Display's annual revenue was KRW 23.1 trillion in 2023, down 15% due to LCD slump
- Korean display industry total revenue hit KRW 70 trillion in 2023, 25% from OLED growth
- Samsung Display's OLED revenue was KRW 30 trillion in 2023, 80% of total sales
- LG Display sold 7.5 million OLED TV panels generating KRW 5 trillion in 2023
- Total Korean small OLED panel sales revenue was KRW 40 trillion in 2023
- Samsung Display's mobile panel sales to Apple contributed KRW 15 trillion in 2023
- LG Display's operating profit was KRW 450 billion in 2023, rebound from losses
- Korean LCD panel average selling price fell 10% to $120 per 55-inch in 2023
- Samsung Display's foldable display revenue grew 50% to KRW 4 trillion in 2023
- Total industry OLED ASP rose 5% to $45 for mobile panels in 2023
- LG Display's IT OLED revenue was KRW 2.5 trillion in 2023
- Korean display exports revenue reached $45 billion in 2023
- Samsung Display Q4 2023 revenue was KRW 10.2 trillion, highest quarterly
- LG Display's TV panel sales generated KRW 10 trillion, 43% of revenue in 2023
- Industry EBITDA margin for Korean display makers averaged 12% in 2023
- Samsung Display's automotive display revenue hit KRW 1.8 trillion in 2023, up 30%
- Total R&D spending by Samsung and LG Displays was KRW 8 trillion in 2023
- LG Display's OLED panel ASP for 77-inch TVs was $3,500 in 2023 average
- Korean firms' net profit totaled KRW 2.5 trillion in 2023, led by Samsung
- Samsung Display's revenue per OLED panel averaged $150 in 2023
- LG Display reduced LCD revenue share to 30% from 50% in 2023
- Industry sales volume decline offset by 15% OLED price hike in 2023
- Samsung Display's premium panel revenue was 60% of total at KRW 22 trillion 2023
- Korean display Samsung Display revenue from China market was KRW 5 trillion in 2023
Revenue and Sales Interpretation
While LG Display was left trying to breathe life into a dying LCD patient, Samsung Display masterfully performed high-margin OLED surgery, proving that in the display industry, the real money is in making the screens that fold, shine, and drive the premium market forward.
Technological Developments
- Samsung Display introduced world's first Under Display Camera (UDC) OLED with 400 PPI in 2021, commercialized in 2023 Galaxy Z Fold
- LG Display achieved 30% higher light efficiency in WOLED panels with META technology boosting brightness to 3,000 nits in 2023
- Samsung Display developed QD-OLED with 99% DCI-P3 color gamut and 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio for 2023 TVs
- Korea pioneered foldable OLED with Samsung's Eco²-OLED reducing power by 20% in 2023 models
- LG Display's EX OLED uses tandem structure doubling lifespan to 100,000 hours in 2023 prototypes
- Samsung Display's M13 material generation improved mobile OLED efficiency by 25% with LTPO tech in 2023
- Korean firms developed inkjet-printed OLED reducing costs by 30% for Gen 8.5 lines operational 2023
- LG Display's MLA (Micro Lens Array) tech increased WOLED brightness by 40% to 4,000 nits in 2023 LG G3 TVs
- Samsung Display achieved 2,500 PPI micro-OLED for AR glasses prototypes in 2023
- Korea's LTPO OLED adoption reached 100% in premium smartphones with 1Hz refresh in 2023
- Samsung Display patented Slide-OLED extending screen size by 20% without crease in 2023 demos
- LG Display developed transparent OLED with 40% transmittance for commercial use 2023
- Korean R&D led to PENTILE matrix improving yield by 15% in high-res OLED 2023
- Samsung Display's Vision-OLED uses eye-tracking for power saving up to 20% in 2023 laptops
- LG Display's WOLED lifespan exceeded 50,000 hours at 1,000 nits in 2023 tests
- Korea commercialized RGB OLED for TVs eliminating color filter losses in Samsung 2023 panels
- Samsung Display's Gen 8 inkjet OLED line achieved 94% yield rate in 2023 production
- LG Display integrated Tandem OLED in automotive panels with 50,000 hour life 2023
- Korean firms developed MicroLED with 10,000 nits peak brightness in 14-inch prototypes 2023
- Samsung Display's UDC tech achieved 94% transmittance with SP-OLED in 2023 flagships
- LG Display's bendable OLED radius reduced to 5mm for wearables 2023
- Korea led with QNED miniLED tech in LG 2023 TVs combining quantum dots and miniLED
- Samsung Display's Eco-ULT material cut OLED power 15% for mobiles 2023
- LG Display patented stretchable OLED expanding 30% area without damage 2023
- Korean OLED burn-in resistance improved 3x with new encapsulation 2023
- Samsung Display rolled out 4-stack Tandem OLED for laptops hitting 500 nits 120Hz 2023
- LG Display's printed OLED cost per sqm dropped to $500 in Gen 8 lines 2023
Technological Developments Interpretation
South Korean display innovation in 2023 read like an enthusiast's fever dream, relentlessly pushing OLED efficiency, durability, and performance to such extremes that it seems to have solved for the future while quietly commercializing it in the present.
Sources & References
- Reference 1DISPLAYSUPPLYCHAINdisplaysupplychain.comVisit source
- Reference 2OLED-INFOoled-info.comVisit source
- Reference 3NEWSnews.samsungdisplay.comVisit source
- Reference 4LGDISPLAYlgdisplay.comVisit source
- Reference 5STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 6BUSINESSKOREAbusinesskorea.co.krVisit source
- Reference 7OMDIAomdia.tech.informa.comVisit source
- Reference 8KDISPLAYkdisplay.orgVisit source