Samsung investing $3.6B in OLED display technology to combat slumping smartphone sales

South Korean electronics giant Samsung is planning to invest $3.6 billion in the manufacturing of organic light-emitting diode panels. 

The company’s investment in the new product line will begin this year and carry through 2017.

Some analysts suggest that Samsung’s directing of funds into OLED displays is intended to better serve the company’s curved screens, like that which can be seen on products such as the Galaxy Note Edge smartphone.

In fact, Bloomberg reports that Samsung’s upcoming flagship model, the new Galaxy smartphone, will come in two styles, with one being equipped with a dual curved-edge display that covers three sides.

According to IDC’s latest report on smartphone shipments and sales, though, Samsung has suffered a significant drop in phone sales, so much so that its rival Apple fell just short of taking over the company’s top spot in global smartphone shipments during the last quarter. This has led to other analysts speculating that Samsung’s investment into OLED displays is actually meant to explore new revenue streams and diversify its business. 

Worth noting is that this past week Samsung also formed an independent innovation group with the goal of working on high-tech products and emerging technologies. The team is led by Samsung mobile chief Shin Jong-kyun, and its members will develop technology in the robotics, 3D printing, drone, autonomous vehicle, robotic telepresence, and virtual reality sectors.

Via CNET