Flexible OLEDs Set to Dominate Display Market

August 30, 2013—The flexible organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display market is set to grow 334 percent in the next year, from $21.9 million in 2013 to $94.8 million in 2014, according to a new market research report by IHS, “OLED Displays Report - Flexible OLED: Technical Trends and Market - 2013.” Flexible OLED displays are predicted to displace liquid-crystal displays as the dominant flat-panel technology in the near future, says IHS.

Flexible OLED technology may someday enable thin displays that are both foldable and bendable, although many production issues must be overcome first. Korean electronics giants Samsung and LG have both unveiled curved OLED-based 55” television displays in the past year. The curved OLED displays enable enhanced depth-of-field viewing, while organic self-emitting pixels improve color clarity and reduce blur. Samsung’s curved OLED TV launched in August to U.S. and Korean markets, retailing for $8,900.

Samsung also unveiled a plastic flexible OLED panel product called YOUM, which may begin shipping sometime in 2013 if production issues are surmounted.