Foldable Display Market: Samsung Revives OLED Factory

Samsung Display Revives OLED Production Facility at Asan Campus 2 as Foldable Demand Surges 

SEOUL, South Korea — August 17, 2026 — Samsung Display's Investment Review Committee has approved the construction of a new OLED production facility, designated A7, at its Asan Campus 2 in South Korea, as accelerating demand for foldable smartphones drives the company to expand manufacturing capacity. The development marks a significant inflection point for the global Foldable Display Market, which was valued at USD 720.00 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 19,235.78 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 59.9% from 2024 to 2030. 

According to a report by South Korean business outlet Maeil Business Newspaper, bidding for the A7 facility will open this month, with full construction scheduled to commence in 2027 and the production line targeted for completion in early 2028. The revival of Asan Campus 2 is particularly notable as construction at the site had been suspended since 2021, making this the first resumption of the project in five years. 

The decision to scale up OLED production capacity is being driven by two converging demand catalysts: the record-breaking commercial performance of Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 lineup and the anticipated launch of Apple's first foldable iPhone — widely referred to as the iPhone Ultra — expected in September 2026, for which Samsung Display has been identified as the exclusive panel supplier. 

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 series recorded 1.44 million pre-orders in South Korea alone within just seven days of its launch, the highest pre-order total in the Galaxy Z series history. Global pre-order figures followed a similar trajectory, with orders for the latest Fold models running approximately 30% ahead of the previous record. The structural economics of foldable displays further reinforce the capacity expansion rationale: foldable panels consume nearly three times the display area of a conventional smartphone screen, making each unit significantly more revenue-intensive for panel manufacturers. 

Key Highlights: 

• New Facility Approval: Samsung Display's Investment Review Committee has greenlit the A7 OLED production facility at Asan Campus 2, with bidding opening in August 2026 and completion targeted for early 2028. 

• Five-Year Resumption: The Asan Campus 2 project had been on hold since 2021; its revival signals Samsung Display's long-term commitment to scaling foldable OLED output. 

• Dual Demand Drivers: Record Galaxy Z Fold 8 pre-orders (1.44 million in South Korea in seven days) and Samsung Display's role as exclusive OLED panel supplier for Apple's anticipated foldable iPhone are the primary catalysts for the capacity expansion. 

• Revenue Multiplier Effect: Foldable OLED panels require approximately three times the display area of standard smartphone screens, substantially increasing per-unit revenue contribution for Samsung Display. 

Analyst Insight: 

According to analysts at Next Move Strategy Consulting, Samsung Display's decision to revive the Asan Campus 2 facility reflects a structural shift in the OLED supply chain, where foldable device adoption is transitioning from a niche premium segment to a mainstream growth driver. NMSC analysts note that with the global foldable display market projected to expand at a CAGR of 59.9% through 2030 — reaching USD 19,235.78 million — the convergence of Samsung's own foldable lineup success and Apple's entry into the foldable category is creating an unprecedented demand environment that is compelling panel manufacturers to commit to long-cycle capital investments well ahead of peak demand. 

Industry Outlook: 

Samsung Display's approval of the A7 OLED facility at Asan Campus 2 underscores the degree to which the foldable display segment has matured from an experimental product category into a commercially viable, high-growth market. The simultaneous pressure from Samsung's own record-setting Galaxy Z Fold 8 sales and the imminent entry of Apple — the world's largest smartphone brand by revenue — into the foldable segment is expected to structurally elevate OLED panel demand through the remainder of the decade. 

As Apple's foldable iPhone launch approaches and Samsung continues to expand its Galaxy Z series globally, the competitive dynamics of the foldable display supply chain are set to intensify. Panel manufacturers that can scale production capacity ahead of this demand curve are positioned to capture disproportionate market share. The A7 facility, once operational in early 2028, is expected to play a central role in Samsung Display's ability to serve both its own device ecosystem and third-party OEM clients at scale. 

Source: Sammy Fans

For More Information: Download FREE Sample on Foldable Display Market Report

Prepared By: Sanyukta Deb