Samsung's oled u-turn: from skeptic to monitor king
Just a few years ago, Samsung actively dismissed OLED technology, pouring resources into its own QLED and Mini LED displays. Now, the South Korean giant reigns supreme in the monitor market, largely thanks to the unexpected success of its QD-OLED panels—a stunning reversal that feels ripped from a Hollywood script.
A paradigm shift in display technology
The irony is palpable. Samsung spent years aggressively marketing against OLED, citing concerns about burn-in and longevity. Yet, by ingeniously combining the color purity of Quantum Dots with the infinite contrast of OLED, they’ve created a display that has captivated a generation of gamers and enthusiasts. The company’s past pronouncements about OLED's unsuitability for gaming monitors now ring hollow, overshadowed by the sheer performance of their QD-OLED offerings.
According to Fast Technology, reported by Chinese media outlets on April 2nd, Samsung Electronics has secured the top global position in monitor panel supply, with QD-OLED driving much of that growth. The numbers are striking: IDC data, cited by Samsung, projects the company's gaming monitor revenue share will reach 18.9% by 2025—nearly a fifth of all gaming monitors sold worldwide will feature a Samsung panel. Sales of Samsung-manufactured displays, destined for both its own products and those of other manufacturers, are forecast to exceed 2.5 million units in 2025, a new record.
A significant portion of this surge is attributable to OLED panels, with a projected 2.34 million units sold – more than double the sales of 2024. Samsung’s ambitions are even bolder: it aims to capture a 26% share of the premium OLED gaming monitor segment by 2025, cementing its position as the world's leading supplier for a third consecutive year—a remarkable turnaround since beginning QD-OLED monitor panel production in 2022.
Pushing the boundaries of refresh rates
Samsung isn't resting on its laurels. The company is aggressively expanding its QD-OLED lineup for 2026, unveiling a series of high-end gaming monitors, including the eye-catching Odyssey G60H, the first monitor boasting a staggering 1040Hz refresh rate in HD resolution and 600Hz in QHD. The Odyssey G80HS also joins the fray, offering a crisp 6K resolution at 165Hz, alongside numerous other QD-OLED models.
The shift in Samsung's perspective—acknowledging that OLED is currently the gold standard for image quality and demonstrably viable for gaming—has been instrumental in fueling this sales explosion and solidifying its dominance in the OLED monitor panel market. The company's pivot, from staunch critic to leading innovator, underscores the dynamic nature of the display technology landscape.