Samsung and LG are rivals in both TV panel production and high-end TV sales, but that didn’t stop Samsung from negotiating a deal to buy millions of OLED TV panels from LG Display.
Although the deal has yet to be finalized, Samsing is looking to buy a million OLED panels in the second half of this year and a further four million next year, The Verge reports. Right now, Samsung relies on LCDs for its range of TVs, but this deal is a clear signal it sees an OLED future ahead.
If you’re wondering why Samsung doesn’t simply start manufacturing OLED panels itself, it already does. However, for now it seems production is limited to smaller displays meant for laptops. In January, Samsung announced 10 new OLED panels for laptops, and mass production started on a 90Hz OLED panel, offering manufacturers a 14-inch panel ideal for use in gaming laptops. At the same time, Samsung is working on a prototype Quantum Dot OLED panel for TVs, but clearly that isn’t ready yet.
The deal with LG Display looks to be a way of filling a gap until Samsung is ready to make the move from LCD to OLED production. Samsung Display was planning to end all LCD production last year, but the decision was delayed in November due to the pandemic and an increase in demand as people around the world were forced to stay at home and entertain themselves. LCD production is now expected to end at some point this year.
