Samsung Display supplies more than 70% of the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels used by major laptop brands, according to market research. As supply becomes increasingly concentrated, PC makers are developing Chinese manufacturers as alternative suppliers to secure panel volumes and strengthen their bargaining power on prices.

According to Chinese market research firm Sigmaintell on Oct. 15, Lenovo relies primarily on Samsung Display while sourcing some panels from BOE and EverDisplay (EDO). HP also depends heavily on Samsung Display and uses EDO panels in certain models. Asus sources panels from Samsung Display, BOE and EDO, while Acer obtains approximately 75% of its OLED panels from Samsung Display. Dell sources panels for its XPS lineup from LG Display but relies mainly on Samsung Display for its other products.

Supplier concentration has become more pronounced as OLED adoption increases in the laptop market. Laptop OLED panel shipments more than doubled from 2.1 million units in the first quarter of last year to 4.3 million units in the second quarter of this year. Shipments are expected to reach 4.9 million units in the third quarter. OLED’s share of the overall laptop panel market is also projected to exceed 10% in the second half of this year. Lenovo, HP and Asus are each expected to equip more than 10% of their laptops with OLED panels this year.

Greater dependence on a single supplier increases the burden on PC makers. Production disruptions make it difficult to secure alternative supplies, while limited sourcing options weaken their negotiating position on prices. Manufacturers also face greater coordination requirements with suppliers when setting product launch schedules and panel specifications. Sigmaintell said major laptop brands are therefore shifting their procurement strategies toward securing multiple suppliers.

In the entry-level segment, TCL CSOT is preparing to supply inkjet-printed (IJP) OLED panels. The company began shipping monitor panels in the third quarter and plans to start mass production of laptop panels in the fourth quarter. In the midrange and high-end segments, BOE and Visionox are expanding supplies of flexible OLED panels. BOE began mass production at its B16 line in the second quarter of this year, while Visionox started producing flexible OLED panels for laptops in the third quarter.

Liquid crystal displays (LCDs), meanwhile, are losing ground. Sigmaintell forecasts that amorphous silicon (a-Si) LCDs will account for approximately 48% of laptop panels in 2030, down from about 79% in 2024. Over the same period, OLED’s share is expected to rise to around 20%, while oxide LCDs are projected to reach approximately 29%. As OLED expands beyond premium laptops into entry-level models, the technology mix of laptop panels is also changing.