Samsung finds a new OLED supplier for Galaxy FE phones, since RAM is so expensive

Andrew Romero | Mar 18 2026 - 8:01 am PT

As RAM and memory components continue to rise in price, Samsung is looking for other ways to keep production costs down. Samsung is reportedly starting with OLED panels on Galaxy FE and other mid-range devices.

Samsung has decided to source low and mid-range device OLED panels from China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT) (via The Elec). The supplier reportedly comes as a cheaper alternative to Samsung’s own display manufacturing company. CSOT received an order from Samsung for a reported 15 million OLED panels for its devices.

Namely, it appears Samsung plans to use the cheaper OLED displays in devices like the Galaxy A57 and Galaxy FE models. The shift would mean Samsung’s upcoming Fan Edition phones would house displays from a different supplier than Samsung’s own panel division, and different panels from the flagship models they’re based on.

The estimated savings associated with the move is 20%, significantly undercutting the cost of Samsung Display’s OLED components. The savings might not be enough to offset the increased memory costs that are passing to the consumer, but Samsung is looking for cheaper components wherever it can. The Elec notes that there may be a sentiment to move away from dependency on Samsung’s own affiliate companies and diversify component makeup.

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This comes as Samsung is already in “emergency mode,” with reports indicating the mobile division could see its first-ever loss, with the company unlikely to find a profit in Q3 2026.

Samsung Mobile’s decision to source cheaper OLED panels from CSOT has reportedly ruffled some feathers within the company, too. The Samsung Display side is said to have appealed to “higher levels within the group” to have the decision reversed. Of course, that initiative failed, and Samsung finalized the order to have CSOT supply them with millions of displays.

Galaxy phones running the new, cheaper CSOT displays have not been announced, obviously. It remains to be seen what the change means for performance, or whether the difference will be negligible. If this were to solely affect Galaxy A devices or other low-end units, it might go unnoticed. The report that Samsung wants to equip Galaxy FE devices with these means a direct comparison between FE and flagship S line phones is inevitable.

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