Flexible displays

2024

Sales of flexible displays in the world for the year reached $45.86 billion

In 2024, costs in the global flexible display market reached $45.86 billion. About a third of that is in the Asia-Pacific region. Such data are presented in a study by Fortune Business Insights, the results of which were released on March 28, 2025.

One of the main drivers of the industry is the growing demand for modern foldable smartphones equipped with flexible screens. Such devices provide wider functionality and increased convenience compared to models in traditional form factors while maintaining compactness. For example, a smartphone book can be used as a small tablet. In addition, flexible displays are used in many other areas, including healthcare, automotive, consumer electronics and wearable gadgets. In particular, the growing emphasis on personalized medicine, which focuses on personalized treatment plans, is increasing the demand for wearable medical devices based on flexible components.

Technological advances play an important role in the development of the market. Leading players spend heavily on R&D, creating flexible displays with improved color reproduction, high contrast ratio and low power consumption. In addition, the performance of the panels is improved. The growing adoption of flexible screens in new applications such as automotive infotainment complexes, digital signage, and smart home devices is fueling further market expansion. The industry is also positively influenced by advanced developments in the field of flexible electronics in general, including the introduction of new materials and improved technological processes.

But there are also deterrents. One of them is the high costs of development and production. The complex technologies required to make flexible displays, including the use of specialized materials, significantly increase the cost of end products. In addition, ensuring the durability and reliability of flexible devices remains a major challenge as they must withstand repeated bending and stretching without compromising performance and functionality.

Depending on size, the market is categorized into up to 6 inches, over 50 inches, 20 ­ -50 inches, and 6-20 inches. In 2024, the first type of products dominated: such screens are widely used in wearable gadgets and foldable smartphones. In terms of application, smartphones and tablets, TVs and digital signs, cars and transport, e-books, smartwatches and wearables, etc. stand out. The first of these segments leads with a share of 27.9%. In terms of technology, flexible screens with organic LEDs (OLEDs) are most in demand. From a geographical point of view, the Asia-Pacific region provided the largest revenue in 2024 - $14.87 billion against $12.32 billion a year earlier. Significant players in the global industry are named:

• BOE Technology Group;
• LG Display;
• Samsung;
• Royole Corporation;
• Microtips;
• E Ink Holdings;
• Sharp;
• FlexEnable;
• Innolux;
• AUO.

In 2025, spending on flexible displays worldwide is expected to rise to $55.89 billion. Fortune Business Insights analysts believe that in the future, the CAGR in the market under consideration will be 24%. As a result, costs globally could rise to $252.07 billion by 2032.^[1]

The world's first 50% stretchable display presented

In early November 2024, LG Display announced the development of the world's first flexible screen that can stretch 50%. This is more than twice the previous record of about 20%. It is assumed that the novelty will be able to find application in a variety of areas - from smart clothes and wearable gadgets to automotive electronics and interactive panels of the next generation. Read more here.

2019

Microsoft and Intel create standard for foldable laptop displays

In early September 2019, it became known that Microsoft and Intel are creating a standard for laptops with foldable displays. It will appear after the company creates a standard for portable computers with two screens, reports DigiTimes.

Microsoft and Intel have agreed to form a list of uniform requirements for laptops with flexible displays. They concern the version, operating system Windows processors, touch screen, concept support Always Connected PC and styluses.

Microsoft and Intel have created a standard for foldable laptop displays

Microsoft has an unsuccessful record of claiming devices on the company's operating systems. This was the case with the Windows Phone platform: restrictions on hardware specifications limited the development of innovations in the segments of expensive and cheap devices, recalls the MSPoweruser portal.

Microsoft and Intel's intentions to develop standards for laptops with dual and foldable displays became known after several such products appeared on the market. They are addressed primarily to game lovers and creators of graphic content. Many computer manufacturers, including Lenovo, are working on foldable screen laptops by early September 2019, so developing a single standard really makes sense.

DigiTimes writes that Microsoft and Intel are ready to develop standard specifications for such devices equipped with a flexible display.

In the first half of 2020, Microsoft will release a portable computer with a foldable display that can transform into two 9-inch displays with a 4:3 aspect ratio, according to analyst firm IHS Markit. The novelty will also receive a Windows Core operating system, a 10nm Intel Lakefield processor, a cellular modem (5G or LTE) and the ability to launch Android applications.

Samsung begins mass production of foldable displays

April 10, 2019 Samsung Electronics announced the start of mass production of folding displays. The first such screen was received by the model, global Samsung Galaxy Fold sales of which will begin on April 26. A version with support for - 5G nets will appear on the South Korean market in mid-May 2019.

According to The Investor, citing a statement from a South Korean company, deliveries of bendable panels began at the Samsung Display plant in Asan, 100 km south of Seoul. The volume of production is not specified.

Samsung Galaxy Fold smartphone

The flexible displays, mass-manufactured by Samsung, have a diagonal of 7.3 inches when unfolded, and after folding - 4.6 inches.

Samsung noted that the company invented a new polymer layer and created a display that is about 50% thinner than a regular smartphone screen. The innovative material is claimed to make the Galaxy Fold device flexible and durable.

The bendable design provides multitasking - you can watch movies, play games and read Internet pages simultaneously in three windows on the screen at the same time.

Samsung Display is considered the world's first manufacturer of OLED screens that can bend. The company's range includes displays with curved edges and minimal perimeter frames. Samsung also supplies OLED panels for the iPhone.^[2]

According to analysts, Canalys smartphones such Samsung Galaxy Fold will remain an exclusive and ultra-expensive category, and the supply of such devices in 2019 will amount to less than 2 million units. High cost will be the main factor in preventing the mass spread of folding devices. 

Analysts Gartner also rather restrained the prospects for tubes with folding screens.

Initially, the devices will arouse interest, but will be too expensive and require certain compromises in terms of ease of use. Manufacturers will need time to create a developed ecosystem of applications for foldable smartphones and attract developers to improve the user interface, says Robert Cozza, director of research at Gartner.

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