Global smartphone panel shipments grew significantly in the third quarter of 2025, according to the latest data from TrendForce. Total shipments reached 586 million units, representing an 8.1 percent quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) and 5.3 percent year-over-year (YoY) increase. The surge was largely fueled by rising panel demand for Apple’s iPhone 17 series and new models launched by major smartphone brands during the second half of the year.
For the full year, TrendForce expects total smartphone panel shipments to reach 2.243 billion units, marking a 3.4 percent increase compared with 2024 and setting a new recent high in shipment levels.
BOE Maintains Leadership as Global Top Panel Supplier
BOE continued its dominance in the smartphone panel industry, shipping more than 145 million units in Q3 2025 – a 1.3 percent increase from the previous quarter. CSOT recorded strong performance with a 13.5 percent growth, shipping 75.5 million units, mainly driven by higher a-Si LCD panel demand. Tianma achieved even faster growth, with shipments rising 25.1 percent to 56.3 million units, supported by demand in the entry-level smartphone segment.
Korean Makers Benefit from iPhone 17 Launch
Samsung Display (SDC) recorded a major shipment boost, exceeding 100 million units in the quarter – up 8.3 percent QoQ – thanks to the iPhone 17 launch cycle. LG Display (LGD) also performed strongly, increasing shipments 16.7 percent to 21 million units, with its annual iPhone panel supply expected to surpass 80 million units in 2025. Despite scaling down operations, Innolux still shipped 23.2 million units during the same period.
AMOLED Panels Lead Growth, Expanding Market Share
AMOLED smartphone panel shipments totaled 246 million units in Q3, up 9.9 percent from the previous quarter. The growth was supported by wider adoption in mid-range smartphones. Samsung Display held a leading 40 percent share of the mid-to-high-end AMOLED market. BOE remained a key supplier for both iPhone and Android models, while Visionox expanded its market presence by offering cost-effective AMOLED solutions.
TrendForce noted that AMOLED’s growing affordability and performance improvements will continue to drive adoption across more smartphone categories.
LCD Panels Remain Vital for Entry-Level Segment
LCD smartphone panel shipments reached 340 million units in Q3, marking a 6.9 percent QoQ increase. BOE led the segment with more than 30 percent market share, followed by HKC and CSOT, both of which expanded a-Si LCD production. Entry-level a-Si LCD panels remain in high demand due to their lower cost and suitability for replacement markets. However, LTPS LCD shipments are gradually declining as AMOLED penetration increases.
Outlook: AMOLED Adoption to Accelerate in 2025-2026
TrendForce forecasts that AMOLED and a-Si LCD will remain the dominant technologies shaping the smartphone panel market. Growth in 2025 will primarily stem from broader AMOLED adoption and stronger partnerships between Chinese panel makers and global smartphone brands.
While overall smartphone sales are expected to remain moderate, AMOLED panel shipments will rise as production costs decrease and technologies mature. At the same time, LCD panels will stay competitive in the entry-level market, supported by new manufacturing capacity from Chinese vendors.
By 2026, AMOLED’s share is projected to exceed 45 percent, while LCD will maintain around 55 percent. Korean manufacturers are expected to retain leadership in premium smartphones, whereas Chinese suppliers will strengthen their presence in mid-range and high-end models through cost advantages and joint ventures.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
