How Fast Is OLED Growing Compared to LCD Sales

Let’s cut to the chase — if you’re shopping for a new TV, monitor, or smartphone, you’ve probably heard the buzz about OLED. But how fast is OLED really growing compared to old-school LCD? Spoiler: it’s not just hype. OLED is surging, and the numbers don’t lie.

As someone who’s been tracking display tech for over a decade, I’ve seen trends come and go. But OLED’s rise? This one’s different. While LCD (including its upgraded cousin, LED-LCD) dominated the market for years, OLED is now stealing the spotlight — and market share.

Let’s break it down with real data.

📊 **Global Display Panel Shipments (2019–2023)**

Source: Omdia & Statista analysis

Yep — in just five years, OLED has gone from handling about a third of display shipments to nearly half. And here’s the kicker: most of that growth is coming from premium smartphones and high-end TVs. Samsung, LG, and Apple are all betting big on OLED, and their product lineups show it.

📱 **Smartphones Lead the Charge**

In 2023, over 60% of new flagship phones shipped with OLED screens — up from just 35% in 2019. Why? Better contrast, true blacks, thinner designs, and improved battery efficiency (yes, dark mode actually helps!). Apple’s shift to OLED across the iPhone 12 and later models was a game-changer.

📺 **TVs Are Catching Up Too**

While LCD still dominates volume due to lower prices, OLED TVs are growing at nearly 15% year-over-year. LG remains the king of OLED TV panels, supplying not just its own brand but also Sony, Panasonic, and others.

But let’s be real — price is still a barrier. The average OLED TV costs about 2.3x more than a mid-range LCD. However, as production scales and Chinese manufacturers like BOE enter the fray, prices are slowly dropping.

🔍 So, is OLED growing faster than LCD? Absolutely. While LCD isn’t disappearing overnight (especially in budget monitors and TVs), its growth has flatlined. OLED, on the other hand, is on a steep upward curve.

For consumers, this means better access to stunning picture quality. For brands, it’s a clear signal: innovate or get left behind.

If you’re wondering whether to wait for the next-gen display, here’s my take: if you want the best image quality today, go OLED. Check out our full guide on best OLED displays in 2024 to see which models deliver the most bang for your buck.