Samsung A57 is launching with OLED display, supplied by CSOT
According to recent reports, Samsung’s upcoming premium A-series smartphone, the Galaxy A57, is set to sport a flexible OLED display for the very first time. In a significant shift, this cutting-edge panel will reportedly be supplied by the Chinese display manufacturer CSOT.
- Samsung Galaxy A57 to Feature Flexible OLED from CSOT in Strategic Shift
For the first time, Samsung’s upcoming premium A-series smartphone, the Galaxy A57, will reportedly sport a flexible OLED display supplied by Chinese manufacturer CSOT. According to industry sources, CSOT is highly likely to provide these panels alongside Samsung Display, a move that may threaten Samsung Display’s long-standing position as the sole supplier for the A5 series—the most high-spec device outside of the flagship Galaxy S series.
The Shift to Flexible OLED
The Galaxy A57 lineup has used rigid OLED panels so far, but starting next year, Samsung plans to switch to flexible OLED panels. Unlike rigid models that rely on glass, flexible OLED uses a polyimide substrate. This allows for significantly more design freedom and offers thinner bezels on phones. However, this technology is typically more pricier than rigid models.
The move is necessary to keep up with the market. Chinese rivals have already been using flexible OLED panels in phones that cost US$200 or even US$150. To stay competitive with these rival products, the Korean tech giant needs to adopt flexible OLED panels for its Galaxy A series, which typically costs around US$500.
Balancing Cost and Supply
While Samsung plans to adopt the pricier flexible OLED panel for the A57, its primary goal is still to keep costs down for the model, especially amid the recent increase in memory chip and component prices. In this spirit, Samsung has demanded that Samsung Display supply flexible OLED panels at a price similar to that of rigid OLED panels for the A series.
However, sources said that CSOT has offered a lower price than Samsung Display in this climate. Also grow rumors that it is more value for money from Galaxy A56. While CSOT and BOE have supplied small volumes of OLED panels for the Galaxy M and A series in the past, this new deal is significant. The OLED panel is also expected to be used for Samsung’s Fan Edition (FE) series, which is launching later.
Despite this, Samsung Display is still expected to supply more units than its rival CSOT, simply because the A5 series sells in such high volumes globally.
