Display technology - statistics & facts
Behind the screens of our daily lives, from smartphones and PCs to TVs and beyond, is a complex web of display technologies that are quietly revolutionizing how we consume information and connect with the world. These ubiquitous devices are powered by an ever-evolving display technology industry, which has progressed from early cathode ray tubes to cutting-edge OLED, AMOLED, and QLED displays, poised to take over older technologies, such as LCD screens. The market is populated by manufacturers continually trying to bring improvements and innovation to the table when vendors update devices and release new ones. Virtual reality (VR) headsets and foldable smartphones are just a few examples of new devices requiring innovative displays.
Looking ahead, as technology develops, consumer electronics companies will surely work on new types of devices. New devices require new and improved displays – a trend that will keep display manufacturers always busy as they aim to keep playing a role in this flourishing market.
Display technology history: from 1897’s CRT technology to LCDs
For decades, cathode-ray tube (CRT) technology reigned supreme in the display industry. However, new trends such as the increasing smartphone penetration rate and the growing number of TV watchers worldwide, have fueled demand for displays that not only match but surpass CRTs in image fidelity, form factor, and energy efficiency. One of the most recent developments is liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, which companies involved in the display industry quickly adopted for many devices, including TVs, PCs, and smartphones. Taking a closer look at the smartphone display market, in 2024, the Chinese display manufacturer BOE retained the lead in smartphone panel shipments, shipping around 613 million displays. Other manufacturers, such as SDC, HKC, and Tianma, followed with lower shipments.Innovative display technologies on the rise
In coming years, newer display technologies such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), micro-LEDs,
active-matrix organic light-emitting diodes (AMOLED), quantum dot displays (QLEDs) will continue to grow in prevalence. High-end smartphones, such as the iPhone 15 models, make use of OLED displays, as do many smartwatches to offer better picture quality. Furthermore, OLED technology is also prominent to make flexible displays. Given the rising popularity of foldable smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy Fold and Google Pixel Fold, analysts expect manufacturers to use more of such displays, contributing to the growth of the foldable OLED display market.Looking ahead, as technology develops, consumer electronics companies will surely work on new types of devices. New devices require new and improved displays – a trend that will keep display manufacturers always busy as they aim to keep playing a role in this flourishing market.
