Samsung Display 第三季營業利潤達1.1萬億韓圜，瞄準 OLED 擴張

Samsung Display Research (SDR), Samsung Display's new headquarters building. (Photo: Samsung Display)

Samsung Display posted an operating profit of 1.1 trillion won in the third quarter of 2026. Shipments of small and medium-sized organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels increased following new product launches by major customers, while profitability in the large OLED business also improved.

According to Samsung Electronics' third-quarter earnings conference call on Oct. 29, Samsung Display recorded revenue of 8 trillion won and operating profit of 1.1 trillion won. Revenue declined approximately 1.2% and operating profit fell 8.3% from a year earlier. Compared with the previous quarter, revenue increased 6.7% and operating profit rose 57.1%.

By business segment, small and medium-sized OLED revenue and profit both increased, driven by new product launches from major customers. "Revenue and profit in the small and medium-sized business increased from the previous quarter as we delivered new products to major customers on schedule," said Samsung Display Vice President Heo Cheol. The large OLED business also improved its earnings from the previous quarter through increased sales of premium products and cost reductions.

Samsung Display expects panel demand to increase in the fourth quarter, supported by the year-end peak season and new product launches. However, external factors such as exchange rate fluctuations could weigh on earnings improvements. "In the small and medium-sized business, we will actively respond to customer demand to expand sales, while the large OLED business will focus on improving profitability by increasing gaming monitor sales," Heo said.

The outlook for next year remains uncertain. Rising demand for memory used in artificial intelligence (AI) servers is pushing up mobile memory prices, increasing cost pressures on smartphone manufacturers. Samsung Electronics' Mobile eXperience (MX) and Networks businesses posted an operating loss of 600 billion won in the third quarter, marking their second consecutive quarterly loss. Although foldable smartphone sales volumes and revenue increased year-on-year following the launch of new products such as the Galaxy Z Fold8, higher memory prices weighed on profitability.

Samsung Display plans to increase the proportion of premium products, including foldable displays, to prepare for a potential contraction in the smartphone market. The company will improve crease visibility and durability in foldable panels and ramp up operations at its new eighth-generation 8.6 IT OLED production line. In the large OLED business, it will focus on improving profitability through ultra-large TVs and gaming monitors while expanding its customer base into gaming consoles and automotive applications.

Capital expenditure this year is expected to reach 3.9 trillion won, up 1.1 trillion won from last year. Cumulative investment through the third quarter totaled 2.4 trillion won. Samsung Electronics expects capital expenditure to increase, primarily through investments to upgrade existing production lines.

"Market uncertainty is expected to persist in 2027, with demand remaining weak," Heo said. "We will pursue productivity improvements and cost reductions to maintain profitability even under challenging conditions."