The market for LEDs used in mobile phones – including backlighting behind the display, keypad illumination, and camera flash -- will decline at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.6% from 2015 to 2021, according to the latest information from IHS Markit Mobile Phones in Packaged LED Market Brief. A primary reason for this decline is the increased penetration of organic LEDs (OLEDs), it notes.
For mobile phone displays the OLED panel penetration rate is forecast to grow from 13% in 2015 to 34% in 2021 due to strong demand from Chinese brands. LED revenue for backlighting in mobile phones was estimated to be $686m in 2015, but will decline to $455m in 2021.
Nearly all mobile phones shipped in 2015 had at least one camera - and 86% also had a secondary camera - although not every camera was equipped with a flash. IHS expects the mobile phone flash LED market to decline slightly in 2016 due to a drop in mobile phone shipments. However, the market will begin to grow again from 2017 to 2020, thanks to increased penetration of color LEDs and secondary camera flash applications. LEDs used in mobile phone keypads will also decline, but they comprise only a very small part of the market, IHS notes.
