OLED TVs Ramp Up Their Market Share

Sales of organic light emitting diode (OLED) TVs surpassed those of quantum dot light emitting diode (QLED) TVs for the past two consecutive quarters. Analysts say that this phenomenon took place as the number of manufacturers launching OLED TVs as premium products spiked.

According to the IHS Markit on June 17, the global OLED TV sales in the first quarter totaled 470,000 units. During the same period, QLED TVs sold 366,000 units. In the first quarter of last year, QLED TVs sold 679,000 units, outclassing OLED TVs (218,000 units) a great deal. The results have been reversed in one year.

OLED TV sales exceeded QLED TV sales beginning in the first quarter of last year. In the third quarter of last year, OLED TVs and QLED TVs sold 347,000 units, 390,000 units, respectively so QLED TVs outnumbered OLED TVs by about 40,000 units in sales. In the fourth quarter, however, OLED TVs (744,000 units) widened its gap with QLED TVs (444,000 units). OLED TVs performed better than QLED TVs in marketing during the high season at the end of last year.

LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics, which represent each group, showed similar sales results. In the 4th quarter of last year, LG OLED TVs sold 520,000 units, surpassing sales of Samsung QLED TV (415,000 units) for the first time. LG OLED TVs (344,000 units) and Samsung QLED TVs (336,000 units) continued to lead the market in the first quarter. Compared the first quarters of last year and this year, LG OLED TV sales increased 84% and Samsung QLED TV sales dropped 45%.

Analysts say that this was because members of the OLED TV alliance increased. This year, Hisense and Sharp joined the OLED TV group, which has 13 member companies including LG Electronics. The QLED TV group is composed of three makers -- Samsung Electronics, TCL and Hisense. It is also expected that the gap between the two sides will widen if Hisense, number one LCD TV seller in China, begins to sell OLED TVs on a full scale in China.