According to a report by ZDNet Korea, Samsung Display, BOE and Tianma are discussing HD OLED panel production with smartphone brands such as OPPO and vivo.
There is a financial reason behind this move. Rising memory prices have increased smartphone production costs and put pressure on manufacturers. Global smartphone shipments are also expected to decline by 12% in 2026, according to market research firm Omdia’s forecast cited by ZDNet Korea.
Display manufacturers are looking for new ways to keep their OLED production lines busy. Budget smartphones could provide a new market, especially since HD LCD phones still account for a large number of shipments.
However, producing OLED panels at LCD prices is not easy. Smartphone manufacturers want HD OLED panels to cost approximately the same as existing HD LCD screens. Panel suppliers may therefore need to use lower-cost OLED materials and simpler specifications.
Samsung Display is reportedly considering its rigid OLED production lines for these panels. BOE and Tianma, meanwhile, are looking at using their flexible OLED production lines.
Could Entry-Level REDMI Phones Finally Get OLED Displays?
This development could be particularly interesting for Xiaomi’s budget smartphone lineup. Entry-level REDMI phones still commonly use IPS LCD displays, with some models featuring older waterdrop-style notches and HD+ resolutions. Moving to OLED would bring better black levels, stronger contrast and a different viewing experience without requiring a more expensive smartphone.
Xiaomi has already experimented with this combination. Back in 2019, the company launched the Mi A3 with a 720p Super AMOLED display.
As someone who used the Mi A3, I would personally choose a 720p OLED screen over a traditional IPS LCD panel in an affordable smartphone. The difference in contrast and black levels makes OLED attractive even when the resolution is relatively low.
Of course, 720p OLED is not perfect. Users who spend a lot of time reading small text or viewing detailed content may prefer a higher-resolution IPS display. Some buyers also prefer the practicality and familiar characteristics of LCD technology, particularly when price is their main concern.
The important point is that budget buyers could finally have another choice. Instead of paying extra for a 1080p OLED phone, they might eventually get OLED technology in much cheaper devices.
720p OLED Could Become the Next Budget Smartphone Trend
For now, these panels are still under discussion. Samsung Display, BOE and Tianma have not announced mass production or confirmed smartphone customers. The main challenge is reaching LCD-level pricing without making OLED production unprofitable. If suppliers and smartphone brands agree on the right material specifications, 720p OLED could become a realistic option for entry-level smartphones.
This could eventually bring OLED displays to REDMI, OPPO and vivo phones that currently rely on basic LCD technology.
