TCL CSOT Supplies Flexible OLED to Galaxy A57 for the First Time, Marking Entry into Samsung Electronics’ Supply Chain

TCL CSOT has successfully supplied flexible OLED panels to Samsung Electronics smartphones for the first time.

According to industry sources, TCL CSOT has begun supplying flexible OLED panels for the Galaxy A57 model and produced approximately 400,000 panels by 2025. Full-scale mass production is expected to expand from 2026, centered on Galaxy A57-bound products.

Historically, the Galaxy A series mainly adopted rigid OLED panels, with Chinese panel makers such as BOE Technology Group having supplied panels in the past. However, as Chinese OLED suppliers streamlined their smartphone rigid OLED lines and Samsung Electronics shifted to single sourcing from Samsung Display for the Galaxy A series, rigid OLED panels for the A series were effectively supplied exclusively by Samsung Display for a period.

With the decision to apply flexible OLED starting from the higher-tier Galaxy A57, Samsung Electronics is understood to have adopted TCL CSOT’s panels to reduce panel costs for the Galaxy A series.

In volume terms, however, the initial supply remains limited. TCL CSOT’s smartphone OLED shipments in 2025 are estimated at approximately 81 million units, meaning the 400,000 units for the Galaxy A57 account for only about 0.5% of its total shipments. The gap is even more pronounced when compared with the volume supplied by Samsung Display to the Galaxy A series.

Nevertheless, the achievement is viewed as notable given the symbolic significance of entering Samsung Electronics’ supply chain and the potential for future expansion in mid-range smartphone lineups.

Currently, Xiaomi is TCL CSOT’s largest customer, accounting for more than 50% of its smartphone panel shipments, followed by Vivo, Motorola, and Huawei.

Industry observers are closely watching whether the Galaxy A57 supply will serve as a catalyst for TCL CSOT to gradually expand its flexible OLED supply opportunities within Samsung Electronics’ mid-range smartphone lineup. While initial volumes are modest, securing Samsung Electronics as a customer is seen as a factor that could enhance TCL CSOT’s competitiveness in the smartphone OLED market over the longer term.

Junho Kim, Analyst at UBI Research (alertriot@ubiresearch.com)

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