Global flat panel display (FPD) shipments are forecast to decline 4.7% year-over-year (YoY) in 2026, according to Counterpoint Research’s Flat Panel Display Tracker & Forecast.
The sharp increase in memory prices caused by booming demand from AI data centers is being passed through to end device prices, suppressing demand in key FPD applications, especially smartphones and tablets.
“High prices for memory chips are leading to price increases across a range of electronics products, leaving to reduced demand,” said Bob O’Brien, Research Director at Counterpoint Research. “Especially in the low to mid-range segments of the smartphone and PC markets, OEMs are unable to hit the aggressive prices of years past, and consumers are deciding to delay purchases or shop the second-hand market.”
FPD shipment volume for mobile phones in 2026 is forecast to be down 9.5% YoY, he added.
In the IT sector, strong first half shipments mean that the downturn will be smaller in 2026 but will extend into 2027, according to Counterpoint. FPD shipment volume for monitors in 2026 is projected at -1.7% YoY, an upward revision from the -3.0% YoY forecast in the previous report, while FPD shipment volume for notebooks in 2026 is projected at -2.7% YoY, an upward revision from the -8.8% YoY.
However, rising prices for finished products increase the likelihood of panel procurement adjustments in 2027, and Counterpoint now expects YoY declines for monitors and notebook panels next year.
Challenges in addressing the low and mid tiers have led manufacturers to bolster their premium offerings with OLED displays. OLED monitor panel shipments are forecast to increase by 60% YoY in 2026, while OLED notebook panel shipments are forecast to increase by 50% YoY.
As TVs are less reliant on memory chips, shipments of TV panels have been less affected by the memory shortage. Mini LED FPD shipments are projected to see year-over-year growth exceeding 10% in both 2026 and 2027.
Counterpoint says the automotive display segment remains a bright spot for the FPD industry, driven by auto design trends to include more flat panel displays per vehicle. Among the six major FPD applications, auto displays are the only segment expected to see YoY growth in 2026, and the momentum is expected to continue in 2027. In addition to the unit growth, the average screen size for auto displays continues to increase, driving revenue growth even higher.
