UPDATE: Samsung has responded to news reports that some of their 2024 OLED TVs would be subject to a “panel lottery” where consumers would not have a say in if they received a TV with Samsung’s QD-OLED panels or LG’s WOLED panels. While comparable, the panel types do have their own characteristics, including different levels of brightness.
After the news began to circulate, TechRadar reached out to Samsung for comment and confirmation on if the reports were true.
“We’re continually evolving our TV portfolio to provide our customers with new and exciting innovations and experiences,” replied Samsung. “Samsung OLED TVs consistently offer a premium experience while delivering excellent viewing performance, regardless of the specific panels that are integrated into the product.”
While this vague statement doesn’t confirm the practice of mixing and matching of panel types, it certainly doesn’t go out of its way to deny it, either.
The following was originally published March 8, 2024:
Samsung’s partnership with LG Display to secure OLED panels is having some unforeseen effects, as consumers of Samsung’s upcoming 2024 OLED TV line will be left to guess as to what kind of panels they have purchased. First reported to western media by FlatpanelsHD, the 2024 line will be made up of units utilizing Samsung’s own QD-OLED panels as well as LG’s WOLED panels.
LG Display announces plans for $971 million investment in OLED production
So, is there a way to know if you’re getting a QD-OLED or WOLED panel? Well, some display sizes make that easier. QD-OLED panels notably are not produced in 42, 48, or 83-inch sizes, meaning these models must be from LG’s WOLED supply. Otherwise, however, Samsung will reportedly “not explicitly advertise any of its 2024 OLEDs as QD-OLED, per HDTVTest.
Korean newspaper The Elec reported on the situation, pointing out the fact that Samsung’s upcoming flagship S90D line is subject to having either panel type, unbeknownst to consumers. “According to the industry on the 5th, Samsung Electronics plans to use Samsung Display’s Quantum Dot (QD)-OLED and LG Display’s White (W)-OLED together in the S90D series,” says a translated article from The Elec . “The flagship S90D lineup consists of 42-inch, 48-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch, 77-inch, and 83-inch. Among them, there are three models that use QD-OLED and W-OLED together: 55-inch, 65-inch, and 77-inch. The remaining models of the S90D, the 42-inch, 48-inch, and 83-inch, use W-OLED only.”
The following was originally published February 12, 2024:
Last year, select regions saw the release of Samsung’s first TVs featuring LG Display WOLED panels after the completion of years-long negotiations. Now, after the reveal of new OLED TV series at CES, signs point to a new multi-year deal between the two companies allowing Samsung’s use of LG WOLED and LCD panels.
Market research firm DSCC reports: “Multiple sources in Asia last week reported that Samsung Visual Display (VD, the company’s TV business) has agreed to a long-term supply agreement with LG Display for the supply of LCD and OLED display panels. Our sources have confirmed that the agreement is happening; the deal expands an existing relationship between the two Korean giants as both face fierce competition from Chinese players.”
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According to a report from flatpanelshd, the agreement will see LG Display providing Samsung 5 million OLED panels over the next 5 years.
The following was originally published June 26, 2023:
UPDATE: According to Korean newspaper The Elec, this month will mark the first shipment of WOLED panels from LG to Samsung for a TV that is scheduled to be revealed later in the year. While the shipment is reportedly small, it seems that orders scheduled for next year will be much larger in quantity. Some are speculating that the panels being delivered are for an 83-inch OLED TV that will feature a LG Display WOLED panel. Based on a report by Business Korea, this TV is rumored to be announced around the time of IFA.
The Elec’s report also mentions that the ordered WOLED panels require special customization, meaning they must be manufactured at LG’s plant in Paju, South Korea–not overseas in China.
“Samsung has also requested that LG Display develop a WOLED TV panel under the specification it wants,” the report reads. “Sources said Samsung and LG Display are in near agreement that the panels will be 77-inch and 83-inch in size.”
See also: ‘Elemental’ is the first Pixar film to be shown in 4K HDR, exclusively on Samsung Onyx screens
The following was originally published May 17, 2023:
It looks like LG and Samsung’s multi-year negotiations have finally come to a close, as Reuters is reporting that the two tech powerhouses have signed a deal that will have LG supplying Samsung with WOLED panels. The two companies have been on-and-off negotiating over OLED panels since 2021, as panel production has wavered over the last several years.
According to the report, the deal will see LG supplying 2 million panels in 2024, 3 million in 2025, and 5 million in 2026. The panels will be of the 77-inch and 83-inch variety. While not set in stone, LG may begin supplying some number of panels this quarter.
The following was originally published April 18, 2023:
In 2022 reports surfaced that Korean tech giants LG and Samsung had halted negotiations on a purported major deal regarding OLED panels, with flatpanelshd quoting LG Display’s CFO as saying “Our new client (Samsung Electronics) had sought to use our OLED panels. While there had been some progress, the process has come to a halt at the moment.”
Now, The Elec has reported that the deal is back on. Furthermore, undisclosed sources are stating that LG Display could possibly supply up to 300,000 units of W-OLED panels to Samsung initially, which would allow Samsung to launch TVs utilizing the panels sometime next year.
The publication goes on to state that the reopening of negotiations is due to Samsung’s increasing reliance on Chinese display manufacturers that are excelling in LCD panels, as the company closed down its LCD manufacturing operations last year. With consumers being increasingly more interested in OLED displays, Samsung is looking to diversify its offerings.
See also: Samsung debuts Flex Hybrid foldable, stretchable display tech
