Chinese Display Makers are Eyeing Galaxy S27 Amid Cost Pressure on Samsung

Samsung has recently increased the use of Chinese displays on Galaxy phones as part of its efforts to reduce production costs. Reports suggest the upcoming Galaxy S26 FE could feature OLED panels from CSOT instead of Samsung Display, as they are significantly cheaper. But China’s display giants are now aiming much higher. Companies like BOE and CSOT are reportedly eyeing OLED supply deals for Samsung flagships, including next year’s Galaxy S27 series.

Samsung may be preparing a flagship display shift that once seemed nearly unthinkable

Samsung Display, the Korean firm’s display division, has always been the primary OLED supplier for Galaxy smartphones. While the company used screens from outside vendors on select budget and mid-range models, flagships have remained an internal affair. That could be changing in the coming years due to cost pressure. Not just the Fan Edition lineup, but the main Galaxy S flagships could also end up with Chinese OLEDs unless something changes soon.

According to a recent OLED shipment report from Sigmaintell Consulting, Chinese display firms are actively pushing to secure supply deals for Samsung’s Galaxy S flagships. The Ultra may be out of reach, but the companies appear hopeful of penetrating base models (via ZDNet). 

This report stops short of directly naming any company. However, BOE has been exploring opportunities from Samsung’s camp for a while now. It has recently lost major chunks of OLED supply orders for Apple’s iPhones to rivals Samsung Display and LG. The company may now be hoping to make up for the loss by cracking the Galaxy S lineup. BOE can produce high-quality OLED panels at prices that Korean firms struggle to match, so Samsung would be tempted to embrace it.

That said, Samsung Display would be working hard to defend its position. Losing even a portion of Galaxy S orders to BOE could weaken its leverage and reduce utilization rates. More importantly, it can open the door for broader supplier diversification in future flagship generations. It remains to be seen how things shape up over the next few months.