Samsung is becoming more dependent on LCDs from China

Samsung Electronics has increased its reliance on LCD TV panel makers from China, new data from market research firm Omdia reveals. The Korean consumer electronics giant is now more dependent on Chinese suppliers for its LCD needs, and market watchers expect this trend to continue in 2023. But while some suppliers from China continue to gain market share, others are losing ground.

According to data by Omdia (via The Elec), factories in China were responsible for supplying 52% of Samsung Electronics' LCD TV panels in 2022. This year, market watchers estimate that figure will jump to 60%.

China's CSOT and HKC are gaining increasingly more from Samsung's LCD TV panel orders. CSOT has a market share of 26%, HKC will supply 21% of Samsung LCD panel orders, and BOE and CHOT will supply 11% and 2%, respectively. However, while CSOT and HKC are gaining more orders from Samsung, BOE's share dropped from 17% in 2021 to around 11% this year.

Market shift caused by Samsung Display abandoning LCD manufacturing

Market watchers say that the main driving factor behind this shift in the influence of various LCD panel suppliers from China has to do with Samsung itself. Or, more specifically, Samsung Display.

The Korean tech giant's display arm left the LCD market last year. Samsung Display sold its LCD factory in China and LCD-related patents to none other than CSOT, which might explain why the latter company has a leg up over its competitors.

Ever since Samsung Display began planning to leave the LCD panel market behind, Samsung Electronics steadily increased its reliance on LCD suppliers from outside Samsung Group. CSOT, HKC, BoE, and CHOT had an LCD panel share of 46% in 2020, which later increased to 52% and 54%. This year, their combined Samsung Electronics LCD panel order share should top 60%.

All of this doesn't really mean anything for Samsung Display. The company left the LCD business to pursue more advanced technologies and continues to supply Samsung Electronics, Apple, and other tech giants with top-tier panels for various use cases.

Mihai Matei - Senior Editor

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First Samsung device: SGH-A800

Mihai is a blogger and column writer at SamMobile. His first Samsung phone was an A800 which took a lot of beating, and a part of him still misses the novelty of the clamshell design. In his free time, he enjoys watching shows, documentaries, and stand-up comedy; listening to music, taking walks, and occasionally playing old(er) video games.

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