Samsung to start mass production of 5nm chips in Q2 2020

Five years ago, Samsung had announced that it could start making 5nm chips without a lot of difficulties. Last year, it started working on the development of 5nm process nodes, and earlier this year, the company started investing in 5nm production lines. However, it was reported earlier this month that COVID-19 has caused a serious setback to Samsung’s plan of mass producing 5nm chips.

Samsung announced its financial results for Q1 2020 earlier today, and a part of the announcement mentioned the company’s plans to start the mass production of 5nm chips in Q2 2020 using its EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) process. This is a pleasant surprise since industry experts were expecting that the South Korean semiconductor giant would not be able to start the mass production of 5nm chips until the fourth quarter of this year.

It is being reported that Samsung could start producing 5nm-based Ampere chips for Nvidia. The GPU brand is expected to launch its next-generation GPUs later this year. However, a lot also depends on the COVID-19 situation, and there could be further delays. Samsung also announced in its press release that it would start focusing on the development of the GAAFET-based 3nm process node this year.

The next-generation Exynos SoC (System on Chip) for Samsung’s flagship smartphone might most probably use the 5nm EUV fabrication process. Even Apple’s and Qualcomm’s next-generation processors are expected to be based on TSMC’s 5nm technology.

Samsung competes with Taiwanese firm TSMC in the semiconductor market, and the former is currently at the backfoot. TSMC has already started mass producing 5nm Apple A14 SoCs for the iPhone 12 series. The South Korean firm wants to defeat TSMC as it can then bag chip orders from the likes of Apple and Qualcomm, who are currently contracting chip production to TSMC.

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Samsung TV Plus gets three new channels from Endemol Shine

Samsung TV Plus is Samsung’s own free, on-demand video streaming service that comes pre-installed on all new TVs from the company. The South Korean firm is continuously adding more channels and content to its TV series over the past two years. Today, it has been announced that three new channels are coming to Samsung TV Plus.

Endemol Shine Group, a British-Dutch production and distribution company, announced earlier today that it is bringing three channels to Samsung TV Plus. Two of those channels—Deal or No Deal and Sterling Drama—are coming to Samsung’s video streaming service in the US, while scripted drama channel Der Serienkanal will be available in Germany.

Sterling Drama has been available on Samsung TV Plus in the US since last week, and it brings British titles, including Hamish Macbeth, The Hour, and The Mill. Deal or No Deal will launch on Samsung TV Plus in the US soon, and it will bring the US version of hit game show hosted by Howie Mandel.

Der Serienkanal, which was launched on Samsung TV Plus in Germany last week, brings various shows, including Peaky Blinders, Real Humans, and Gracepoint. In November 2019, Endemol Shine Group had launched three channels—All Drama, Masters of Food, and Reel Truth—on Samsung TV Plus in the UK.

Kasia Jablonska, Endemol Shine Group’s head of digital distribution and monetization, said, “We are very pleased to expand this strategic partnership with Samsung TV into new markets, which is a testament to both strength of Endemol Shine’s catalog and Samsung TV’s position in OTT market.”

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Samsung reportedly starts development of 250MP ISOCELL camera sensor

Ever since Samsung unveiled its 64MP camera sensor to one-up Sony’s 48MP sensor, the company has never looked back. Last year, it revealed a 108MP sensor, which ended up inside the Galaxy S20 Ultra that launched earlier this year. The company recently announced that it plans to develop up to 600MP image sensors in the future.

A new report from China states that Samsung has completed the production of the 150MP ISOCELL camera sensor and started the development of a 250MP ISOCELL sensor. While the 250MP sensor’s size or features are yet to be revealed, it is entirely possible that it could be a 1-inch or even larger sensor. It is hard to fit such a large sensor inside slim smartphones.

In comparison, the 64MP S5KGW2 sensor is 1/1.72-inch in size, while the 108MP S5KHM1 camera sensor is 1/1.33-inch in size. The company would most likely use a 9-in-1 Nonacell pixel binning technology for 27MP still images. We should be able to get more information about Samsung’s 250MP ISOCELL camera sensor sometime next year.

If the sensor is meant for smartphones, it could be used in one of Samsung’s flagship phones in the coming years. It is being reported that the 150MP sensor will be first used by Xiaomi in its flagship smartphone later this year, while OPPO and Vivo would use it in their high-end smartphones in the first half of 2021. This year’s Galaxy Note and Galaxy Fold phones are expected to use 108MP sensors.

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Samsung’s operating profit rose 3 percent during Q1 2020

Samsung announced its financial results for Q1 2020 earlier today. Its operating profit rose by 3% to KRW 6.45 trillion ($5.2 billion) and its revenue rose 5.6% to KRW 55.3 trillion ($45.42 billion) compared to numbers from Q1 2019. However, the South Korean firm’s net profit fell 3% to KRW 4.9 trillion ($4 billion) compared to Q1 2019.

The company’s results are in line with the estimates from its earnings call. Samsung announced that sales of smartphones and display panels dropped due to weaker demand and the ongoing COVID-19 situation. However, sales of its mobile and server components saw an improvement. If you didn’t know already, the South Korean firm makes DRAM and NAND flash chips for data centers, PCs, and servers. It also manufactures smartphone components such as RAM, NVMe, and camera sensors.

During the first quarter of this year, the company’s capital expenditure was KRW 7.3 trillion ($5.99 billion), of which, the company spent KRW 6 trillion ($4.92) on semiconductors and KRW 0.8 trillion ($0.66 billion) on displays.

Samsung said that the foreign exchange movement had little impact on the financial results as the stronger currency in Europe and the US was offset by weaker currency in emerging markets (like India). For the next quarter, the company expects its memory business to remain stable. However, the demand for smartphones, TVs, mobile OLED displays, and smartphone components is expected to decline due to the COVID-19 crisis and weaker economic outlook.

Mobile, Mobile Components, and Network Equipment

Samsung’s mobile phone revenue during the first quarter of this year was KRW 26 trillion ($21.34 billion) and operating profit was KRW 2.65 trillion ($2.18 billion). Even with lower smartphone sales compared to Q1 2019, the company managed to turn up a higher profit due to the launch of the Galaxy S20 series, Galaxy Z Flip, and efficient marketing.

The company said that the average selling price (ASP) of its smartphones increased during Q1 2020 due to higher sales of premium devices like the Galaxy S20 Ultra and the Galaxy Z Flip. The demand for smartphones is expected to fall sharply in most regions during the rest of the year. Moreover, Samsung expects the competition among OEMs to heat up significantly as all the brands would try to recover from the sales slump from the first half of 2020.

The South Korean firm is planning to launch more 5G phones and sell 5G network equipment to more telecom carriers around the world. The company said that sales of mobile sensors and 5G chips would decrease, but the company will try to focus on selling high-resolution ISOCELL camera sensors to smartphone brands.

Memory and Semiconductor

The demand for Samsung’s PC and server memory chips is expected to remain robust as more people are estimated to work from home, consumer online education, and stream video due to COVID-19 related social distancing norms across the world. The lower demand for mobile storage chips will be offset by higher demand for SSDs in data centers and servers.

Samsung’s semiconductor business posted KRW 17.64 trillion ($14.48 billion) in revenue and KRW 3.99 trillion ($3.27 billion) in operating profit. The company plans to start the mass production of 5nm chips later this year and focus on the development of the GAA 3nm chip fabrication process.

Display

The company’s display business, which makes display panels for laptops, mobile phones, monitors, and TVs, posted KRW 6.59 trillion ($5.41 billion) in revenue and KRW 0.29 trillion ($0.24 billion) in operating loss. Earnings from its mobile OLED business is expected to fall further due to stagnation in the smartphone market and increased competition. In the meantime, Samsung is planning to improve sales of its foldable OLED panels.

The company expects lower sales of smartphone and TV display panels during Q2 2020. Still, Samsung plans to offset lower demand by strengthening its global supply networks and by focusing on efficient marketing. Since it is winding down the LCD panel business, it will focus on supplying Quantum Dot panels to its customers.

Home Appliances and TVs

In the consumer electronics segment, the company’s TV sales dropped during the first quarter of this year due to weaker demand and increased competition from rival Chinese brands. Samsung said that the postponement of the Olympic 2020 games would hurt the sales of its TVs, but it is trying to mitigate it by selling larger-sized TVs, 8K TVs, and curved monitors.

There was an improvement in the home appliances segment due to improved sales of premium models such as the Grande AI washing machine and dryer. Sales of home appliances brought the company KRW 10.3 trillion ($8.5 billion) in revenue and KRW 0.45 trillion ($0.37 billion) in operating profit.

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You can get the Galaxy S20 5G from AT&T for just $10 a month

AT&T is offering a pretty sweet limited time deal on the Galaxy S20 5G in the USA. While the phone’s full retail price remains unchanged at $999, customers willing to acquire the device on an AT&T Installment Plan can get the flagship for $10 a month, down from the usual price of $33.34 a month.

The offer requires a new line to a new or existing account, and customers will have to pay taxes on the full retail price up front, along with a $30 activation fee. To sweeten the deal further, AT&T is also offering a $150 reward card with a new Galaxy S20 5G purchase. The offer is available for the Galaxy S20 5G in all three color options including Cosmic Gray, Cloud Blue, and Cloud Pink.

The US-bound Galaxy S20 5G is powered by Qualcomm

The Galaxy S20 5G has a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a resolution of 3200 by 1440 and 120Hz refresh rate at FHD resolution. In the USA, the phone is powered by the Snapdragon 865 SoC from Qualcomm, which is a superior choice over the Exynos 990 chipset powering the International model.

The device has 12GB of RAM, 128GB of UFS 3.0 storage, and boasts a triple camera setup comprising a 12MP wide sensor, a 12 MP ultra-wide, and a 64MP telephoto shooter with 3x hybrid optical zoom. The components rely on a 4,000mAh battery with 25W fast charging and 15W wireless charging capabilities.

• Buy the Galaxy S20 5G from AT&T

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Samsung leads the 5G race in Q1 2020, Galaxy S20 5G is in demand

Demand for 5G smartphones increased significantly in Q1 2020 compared to last year, and Samsung is leading the pack in terms of 5G smartphone shipments, according to Strategy Analytics. Samsung had a 34.4% 5G market share in the first quarter of the year and shipped 8.3 million 5G smartphones.

A total of 24.1 million 5G smartphones have been shipped globally throughout Q1 2020. This figure shows significant demand for 5G phones, as it has already exceeded the total of 18.7 million 5G phones shipped across 2019.

Galaxy S20 5G and S20 Ultra 5G are Samsung’s more popular 5G phones

Samsung sits in the lead in terms of 5G smartphone shipments and it’s closely followed by Huawei with 8 million units shipped. Out of 24.1 million 5G phones shipped in the first quarter of the year, 8.3 million were Samsung’s. Popular 5G models include the Galaxy S20 5G and S20 Ultra 5G.

The major difference between the two OEMs is that Samsung’s 8.3 million 5G devices were shipped in various countries including the USA, South Korea, and some markets in Europe, whereas Huawei is enjoying high demand in China despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The 3rd largest 5G smartphone vendor was Vivo with 2.9 million shipments and 12% market share.

According to Strategy Analytics, demand for 5G smartphones in China should continue ‘to expand dramatically in 2020.’ Whether or not this will give Huawei an advantage over Samsung in the following quarters remains to be seen. Presently, China is leading in terms of demand for 5G devices, and markets including Europe, the USA, and South Korea may or may not be able to catch up and surpass it in the following quarters. Samsung remains one of the least popular smartphone brands in China regardless of whether they are LTE or 5G-enabled.

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Samsung confirms its 2020 4K QLED TVs have HDMI 2.1

Samsung’s 4K QLED 2020 TV lineup is now available for purchase in various markets, but while the official spec sheet for these models is fairly detailed, the company failed to specify their exact HDMI capabilities. In other words, it’s unclear whether Samsung’s 4K QLED 2020 TV series has HDMI 2.1 capabilities. Or at least, it was unclear until recently when Samsung confirmed to FlatspanelHD that its 4K 2020 TV lineup does benefit from HDMI 2.1.

HDMI 2.1 on Samsung’s 2020 4K QLED TVs with a caveat

According to the online publication citing Samsung, all of the company’s 4K QLED 2020 TVs, including the Q60T, Q70T, Q80T, Q90T, and Q95T have HDMI 2.1 capabilities, but there’s a caveat. Although all these models have a total of four HDMI outputs (save for the Q60T), only one of these ports follows the 2.1 specifications.

The good news is that the included HDMI 2.1 port will allow customers to benefit from features such as 4K gaming at 120Hz (via Fixed Rate Link – FRL) when connecting upcoming consoles such as the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5.

However, it’s also worth noting that the HDMI 2.1 port is not used at its full potential on all of these models. According to the source, 4K 120Hz via FRL is not available on the Q60T and the smaller 49-inch Q80T model.

Meanwhile, Samsung’s 8K QLED TV models including the Q800T, Q900TS, and Q950TS all support HDMI 2.1 and 4K 120Hz FRL.

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Samsung opens up on Galaxy S20’s ‘sensory’ design philosophy

Ten weeks following the Galaxy S20 series’ market release, Samsung opened up on the design philosophy behind its latest Android flagships. In a broad look at the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra, Samsung underlined its zealous attention to detail and how that dedication translates to consumer electronics. At the center of it all is a no-compromise commitment to “satisfying sensory experiences” which leads to new quality standards, according to the company.

In more straightforward terms, Samsung claims the Galaxy S20 family is meant to be greater than a sum of its parts.

The Galaxy S20 is about designing satisfaction

In devising the Galaxy S20 devices, Samsung envisioned not just tools but comprehensive experiences. That way of thinking is the reason why the manufacturer continues to reimagine things like its signature “Over the Horizon” ringtone with every new product generation, which is something your average OEM would likely consider a waste of money. Of course, that doesn’t guarantee a superior smartphone experience, but it certainly helps strengthen Samsung’s image of a premium Android device maker. The same goes for the effort invested in countless transition animations and selective haptic feedback generation that are all part of the Galaxy S20 package, as revealed by today’s design insights from the Far East.

Unfortunately for Samsung, 2020 is shaping up to be a rather underwhelming year for the mobile industry as a whole. For reasons largely beyond the firm’s control, the Galaxy S20 series had a rather slow start, prompting some unprecedentedly generous promotions around the world. Regardless, Samsung is expected to continue building on the overall philosophy behind its unique approach to user experiences. The next result of that vision should be unveiled this summer in the form of the Galaxy Note 20 range.

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Samsung confirms Knox E-FOTA One will launch in Germany next week

Samsung has been releasing Enterprise Edition Galaxy devices in Germany for a few years now, and today, the company announced that its latest Knox E-FOTA (Enterprise Firmware-Over-The-Air) solution known as Knox E-FOTA One will be available in Germany from May 4th.

Knox E-FOTA One was introduced in March 2020 as a new and improved solution added to the E-FOTA lineup. It offers an improved OS management experience with Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) sync, a revamped UI/UX, enhanced service enrollment methods, and more powerful multi-device update campaign solutions. In essence, Knox E-FOTA One combines and expands upon the capabilities of Knox E-FOTA and E-FOTA Advanced.

Knox E-FOTA One aims to reduce management points

According to Samsung Electronics’ Sascha Lekic, mobile devices have become just as indispensable in the business environment as in the private sector. As a result, IT Administrators have a bigger challenge in terms of device management than ever before. The latest evolution of Samsung’s platform aims to reduce management points, saving companies both time and money. A great advantage of this platform is that it allows administrators to test software updates before making them available on company devices, thus reducing the risk of potential issues cropping up post-update.

Starting next week, Samsung enterprise customers in Germany will be able to acquire the company’s latest MDM (Mobile Device Management) solution through authorized dealers.

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These are the actual Galaxy Note 9 One UI 2.1 firmware being tested

We reported earlier today that the Galaxy Note 9 One UI 2.1 update was one step closer to release. A moderator on Samsung’s official forums for South Korea had confirmed that the update has now entered testing.

We have come across the actual One UI 2.1 firmware versions that Samsung is testing for the Galaxy Note 9 in Europe and South Korea. This should put to rest any concerns that users may still have had that it was too good to be true for the Galaxy Note 9 to be getting One UI 2.1.

Galaxy Note 9 One UI 2.1 test firmware versions

Samsung is currently testing firmware version N960NKSU3ETD1 and N960FXXU5ETD5 for the Galaxy Note 9 in South Korea and Europe respectively. These are the One UI 2.1 updates that Samsung confirmed the development on last week.

By paying attention to the firmware version number, you can easily understand that this is a significant update. The Galaxy Note 9 is currently running on firmware version N960FXXU5DTCA in Europe. The next update being tested for the device is N960FXXU5ETD5.

Notice the change of the alphabet D to E? When the alphabet moves up by one place, it’s a signal that this is a major update. New Android OS versions always get a new alphabet and so do significant feature updates like new One UI versions.

The appearance of these test firmware is a great sign that the Galaxy Note 9 One UI 2.1 update is going to be released in the near future. This also means that it won’t be long now before the same treatment is given to the Galaxy S9 as well. We are keeping a very close eye on this and will let you know as soon as Samsung starts rolling out the firmware update to the public.

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TRON Foundation’s decentralized apps now available on Galaxy Store

Samsung and TRON Foundation’s partnership continues and their collaboration recently led to TRON decentralized apps (DApps) being available for download from the Galaxy Store. A number of TRON DApps can now be acquired directly from Samsung’s digital storefront, making TRON the first blockchain project to have its own dedicated section in the Galaxy Store.

Owners of Galaxy devices with built-in crypto wallets (such as the Galaxy S10, Note 10, and Galaxy S20 series) can now download TRON DApps directly from the Galaxy Store, as long as they reside in Europe or the USA. As of this writing, TRON Foundation’s dedicated DApps page includes blockchain games such as Blockchain Cutie, Meerkat Mining, Super Player, Timeloop, and Dig For It.

TRON founder Justin Sun cited by CryptoGlobe views this as an ‘incredible opportunity.’ Giving Galaxy Store users the ability to download DApps to their phones directly from Samsung’s popular app store could greatly increase TRON’s userbase. Eligible Galaxy smartphone owners also have access to the TRON Foundation’s TRX Universe app, which serves as an introduction to the TRON blockchain with features including wallet, markets, and localization with support for English and Hindi.

Users in the USA and Europe can now find TRON Foundation’s list of DApps by searching for the company’s name in the Galaxy Store.

#TRON is now the first blockchain project to have a dedicated section in the #Samsung Galaxy store. Play TRON DApps like @BlockchainCutie, @meerkatmining, Timeloop, and @superplayerme directly from your Samsung mobile devices. @justinsuntron @samsung_dev pic.twitter.com/eHQpkhBzeT

— TRON Foundation (@Tronfoundation) April 27, 2020

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Is a Galaxy S20 Ultra design flaw causing the rear camera glass to break?

The Galaxy S20 Ultra has had more than its fair share of stumbles out the gate but they don’t seem to be over quite yet. Dozens of users have now taken to Samsung’s official forums to complain about the rear camera glass on their unit breaking for no apparent reason.

It’s not quite clear why so many people are facing the same issue when they all maintain that they didn’t drop their phones. It seems that the rear camera glass on the Galaxy S20 Ultra just fails one fine day. That’s really not something you want happening on your $1,400 phone.

Does the Galaxy S20 Ultra have a design flaw?

There are reports on Samsung’s US forums about this happening from well over a month ago when it had only been a couple of weeks after the Galaxy S20 Ultra was released. Dozens of users say the same thing, that they didn’t drop the phone yet the rear camera glass on their Galaxy S20 ultra broke on its own.

Most users claim that they’re using good quality cases with their devices and that they didn’t drop the phone or bump the camera module against something that would cause the glass to crack. For some, the problem appears to start with a hairline crack across the glass which limits the camera’s ability to zoom past a certain level. It continues to expand and further limit the zoom capability. Others note that the glass on their units shattered completely, leaving behind a gaping hole.

Since Samsung isn’t considering this anything other than cosmetic damage, which isn’t covered under its standard phone warranties, users are left with no choice but to pay out of pocket for the repair. It costs $100 for those enrolled in Samsung Premium Care and almost $400 for those who are not. Owing to the COVID19-related lockdowns in place across the globe, quite a few users are also unable to get their units repaired.

Samsung hasn’t acknowledged this as an issue on the forum. Many of the users are now throwing around theories of this being a design flaw with some even calling on the company for a recall. It doesn’t appear to be a very widespread issue, though, so there may be another explanation here.

Some of our team members in different parts of the world have been using the Galaxy S20 Ultra as their daily driver and haven’t experienced a similar issue. If you have, please do share it with us in the comments below. We have reached out to Samsung for a comment on the matter and will update once we hear back.

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Daily Deal: 45% off Sandisk Extreme Pro 32GB microSD card

Sandisk’s Extreme Pro line of products is meant for heavy users. It’s extremely durable and with class 10 and UHS speed ratings it will be able to save your 4K videos in a jiffy. Because of the microSD size, it can be used to expand the storage capacity of most smartphones, allowing you to store more media and apps. You can also safely use it in cameras that support microSD. With write speeds of up to 90MB/s and read speeds of up to 95 MB/s, it’s guaranteed to work fast with almost no lag. It’s now available at a massive 45% discount, so now is the perfect time to get a couple of them in if you’re looking to expand your storage capacity!

Hit the Buy Now button below to order while they’re still discounted.

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Galaxy Note 9 One UI 2.1 update is now one step closer to being released

After some initial confusion about whether or not the Galaxy Note 9 would receive the One UI 2.1 update, there’s more clarity on the matter. Members from Samsung’s software team have been more open with information about the process on the company’s official forums for South Korea.

It was revealed last week that the One UI 2.1 update for the Galaxy Note 9 was in development. Today, a moderator on the forum has confirmed that the said update has now entered testing, which means it’s now one step closer to release.

Galaxy Note 9 One UI 2.1 update is now being tested

After initially saying that there were no plans to bring One UI 2.1 to the Galaxy Note 9, it was later said that the team was figuring out which One UI 2.1 features could be added to the firmware for the Galaxy Note 9 to ensure optimal performance.

That wouldn’t really be needed since almost all of the software features that were introduced with One UI 2.1 on the Galaxy S20 made it to the Galaxy Note 10 Lite in its One UI 2.1 update. As some of you will be well aware, the Galaxy Note 10 Lite has the same Exynos 9810 processor as the Galaxy Note 9.

A moderator on the forum has now confirmed that firmware with One UI 2.1 for the Galaxy Note 9 has been prepared and it has entered testing. The moderator adds that the team will do its best to make sure that the stable firmware is released to customers who have long been waiting for it.

This also bodes well for the Galaxy S9 which will likely be the next in line after this update is released for the Galaxy Note 9. Given that millions of people still own these devices, Samsung has the opportunity to make its fans really happy if it comes through for them with the One UI 2.1 update.

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Samsung’s ‘Bean’ earbuds to launch as Galaxy BudsX

Samsung’s next pair of wireless earbuds — picturesquely code-named “Bean” — will likely launch as the Galaxy BudsX, newly sighted IP documentation suggest. The Korean company applied for a trademark on the said moniker on Monday, having submitted the application with the European Union Intellectual Property Office. Besides revealing the likely name of the Galaxy Buds+ follow-up, the filing is a strong indicator that the Galaxy BudsX will hit the market in the coming months.

Or rather, that’s what one would reasonably assume based on Samsung’s established trademark practices and how they relate to its actual product launches.

Samsung’s Galaxy BudsX may accompany the Galaxy Note 20

Nothing is set in stone, naturally. E.g. the aforementioned application doesn’t even mention the Galaxy brand, though the possibility of Samsung releasing the BudsX outside of its flagship electronics brand is quite low. It’s barely been two years since the company effectively retired the Gear trademark by absorbing it into the Galaxy family, and besides, the omission of the word “Galaxy” from the BudsX application is nothing out of the ordinary.

The Galaxy BudsX series will reportedly be identified by the model number SM-R180, with the implication being this will be the true successor to the Galaxy Buds (SM-R170) instead of just a minor upgrade the Galaxy Buds+ (SM-R175) were. As for the “Bean” codename, that moniker likely wasn’t picked at random, with sources previously claiming the SM-R180 line will be shaped akin to kidney beans. Finally, insiders from Samsung’s home country also believe the Galaxy BudsX will cost less than $150.

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Samsung could use BOE’s OLED screens for some Galaxy S21 models

Samsung smartphones use OLED screens from Samsung Display, but that could change in the future. It is being reported that the South Korean firm could switch to OLED screens from Chinese firm BOE for its next-generation Galaxy S and Galaxy A series of smartphones.

According to market research firm DSCC, Samsung is in talks from BOE for 6.67-inch flexible OLED screens for at least one Galaxy S21 model. Another phone from the South Korean firm to feature BOE’s OLED panel could be the Galaxy A91, and it will reportedly feature a 6.67-inch Full HD+ screen.

BOE is the world’s biggest LCD panel supplier, and through continuous investments, the Chinese firm aims to compete with Samsung Display in the smartphone OLED market. It is currently the third-biggest mobile OLED panel supplier in the world, just after LG Display. The company is also facing competition from EverDisplay and Visionox.

Samsung Display’s market share is expected to drop from 80 percent in Q4 2019 to 69 percent in Q4 2020. It is being reported that the company could lose contracts from Apple to supply OLED screens for the iPhone 12 series. The Cupertino-based brand is switching to BOE for some of its iPhone 12 models.

However, Samsung is investing heavily in foldable OLED panels as well as foldable glass (Ultra Thin Glass). The company plans to supply millions of foldable OLED screens to other smartphone brands in the coming years.

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