According to South Korean media outlet Korea Industry Post, sources say Samsung Display will begin supplying 8-inch OLED panels to Tesla in 2027. The report notes that when Samsung Electronics signed a USD 16.5 billion foundry contract with Tesla late last month, a display supply agreement with Samsung Display was also included.
Regarding the applications of these OLED displays, the report indicates they could be used in Tesla EVs, although the company has already standardized on LCDs for in-car touchscreens. The report further points out that switching to OLEDs offers limited advantages, as the costs are high—particularly at a time when EV demand is slowing and automakers are cutting component expenses. For the same size, OLEDs are more than two to three times as expensive as LCDs, the report highlights.
Therefore, the report suggests that the OLEDs Samsung Display is reportedly set to supply from 2027 may instead be intended for Tesla’s humanoid robot, Optimus. According to the report, Optimus is scheduled to enter mass production as early as 2026, targeting external sales. The “Gen2” version, unveiled at the end of 2023, did not include an external display. However, it is widely expected that the upcoming “Gen3” will feature a facial display.
As the report notes, Optimus’s face is hemispherical, similar to a human’s, which makes it difficult to implement with LCD technology. The report adds that the robot’s upper body must also remain lightweight for balance and rely on low-power components—areas where OLEDs hold clear advantages over LCDs. In addition, the report mentions that Samsung Electro-Mechanics is reportedly seeking to supply camera modules for Tesla’s Optimus, suggesting that collaboration between Tesla and Samsung Group is likely to deepen further.
As Tesla pushes ahead with its Optimus humanoid robots, competition in the humanoid robotics space is intensifying. According to Phone Arena, Apple is reportedly entering the field as well, developing an iPad-like robot equipped with an arm. Meanwhile, Samsung is preparing to launch its first companion robot, Ballie.
(Photo credit: Tesla)
