Samsung Smartphones in 2018: A Complete Global Lineup and Display Technology Breakdown

Introduction

In 2018, Samsung continued to lead the global smartphone market with a vast lineup catering to every segment—from luxury flagships to entry-level essentials. One defining characteristic of Samsung’s 2018 portfolio was its extensive use of AMOLED display technology, a hallmark of the brand’s innovation.

While Super AMOLED dominated Samsung’s flagship and most midrange devices, LCD panels (mainly PLS TFT) were reserved for a few budget-friendly models. Let’s explore in detail which models featured which display types and why.

Samsung’s 2018 Display Strategy

Samsung had a clear vision in 2018: deliver premium visual experiences across its lineup while managing costs for entry models. AMOLED displays, known for their vivid colors, deep blacks, and energy efficiency, became a key differentiator.

Meanwhile, LCD displays persisted in budget models, providing affordability at the expense of contrast and brightness. The trend signaled Samsung’s gradual democratization of AMOLED technology, trickling down from its high-end devices to midrange options.

Flagship Line: Galaxy S and Galaxy Note

At the top of Samsung’s ecosystem stood the Galaxy S9/S9+ and Galaxy Note9, both powered by Super AMOLED displays. These models represented Samsung’s technological mastery—offering immersive visuals, curved edges, and exceptional brightness control.

Galaxy S9 and S9+: The Flagship Standard

Launch Date: February 2018
Display Type: Super AMOLED
Highlights: Dual-aperture camera, edge-to-edge Infinity Display

The Galaxy S9 series continued Samsung’s tradition of excellence, offering a cinematic viewing experience. The Super AMOLED panel produced unmatched contrast ratios, making it ideal for HDR content. Its adaptive brightness and Always-On Display functions were standout features.

Galaxy Note9: Power Meets Precision

Launch Date: August 2018
Display Type: Super AMOLED
Highlights: S-Pen with Bluetooth, massive 6.4-inch display

The Note9 represented the pinnacle of Samsung’s productivity and design. The Super AMOLED display delivered sharp detail and color accuracy, ensuring every stroke with the S-Pen felt responsive and lifelike.

Midrange and Upper Midrange: Galaxy A Series

The Galaxy A series was Samsung’s bridge between flagship features and affordability. In 2018, it showcased Samsung’s determination to expand AMOLED adoption across the mid-tier segment.

Galaxy A8 and A8+ (2018): Premium Midrange Options

Launch Period: Late 2017 (marketed heavily in 2018)
Display Type: Super AMOLED
Highlights: Infinity Display, front dual cameras

The A8 lineup blurred the line between midrange and premium. With its AMOLED screen, users enjoyed near-flagship visuals, rich contrast, and a futuristic design language.

Galaxy A9 (2018): The World’s First Quad-Camera Phone

Launch Date: October 2018
Display Type: Super AMOLED
Highlights: Four rear cameras, 6.3-inch display

A true innovation milestone, the A9 (2018) combined advanced camera tech with a Super AMOLED display that made every shot pop with color. This model reinforced Samsung’s commitment to using AMOLED beyond its flagships.

Galaxy A6 and A6+: The Display Divide

Launch Date: May 2018
Display Types:
- Galaxy A6: Super AMOLED
- Galaxy A6+: TFT LCD

This lineup showcased one of Samsung’s rare internal contrasts: the smaller A6 received an AMOLED display, while the A6+ used an LCD panel. This decision likely stemmed from cost and regional pricing strategies, showing how Samsung carefully balanced innovation with market economics.

Budget and Entry-Level: The Galaxy J Series

The J series was Samsung’s answer to budget-conscious buyers, particularly in developing markets like India and Southeast Asia. Here, Samsung experimented with both AMOLED and LCD to find the perfect balance of affordability and appeal.

Galaxy J8 and J6: AMOLED Enters Budget Phones

Galaxy J8 (2018): Super AMOLED
Galaxy J6 (2018): Super AMOLED

Both models marked a turning point—bringing AMOLED to budget phones. Their screens offered deeper blacks and better battery efficiency, giving Samsung an edge over LCD-equipped competitors like Xiaomi and Oppo.

Galaxy J4 and J2 Pro: LCD Still Alive

Galaxy J4 (2018): PLS LCD
Galaxy J2 Pro (2018): Super AMOLED

While the J4 maintained a cost-effective LCD design, the J2 Pro, despite being a niche model, surprisingly featured a Super AMOLED display—proving Samsung’s commitment to screen quality even in specialized devices.

AMOLED vs LCD: Performance and Market Impact

So, what made AMOLED the clear winner?

Contrast and color: AMOLED screens displayed pure blacks by turning off individual pixels.
Power efficiency: AMOLED consumes less power when displaying darker content.
Design flexibility: Enabled thinner and curved displays.

By comparison, LCD panels remained cheaper but couldn’t match AMOLED’s depth and color vibrancy. In 2018, this technology divide shaped Samsung’s competitive edge globally.

The Broader Trend: Downstreaming Premium Tech

Samsung’s 2018 lineup told a clear story: premium technology was trickling down the ladder. Features once exclusive to the Galaxy S and Note series—like AMOLED panels—became accessible in midrange and even entry-level models.

This strategic downscaling not only solidified Samsung’s brand perception but also disrupted the midrange smartphone market by redefining what users could expect at each price tier.

Conclusion

In summary, 2018 was the year AMOLED became Samsung’s identity. From the Galaxy S9 and Note9 to the more affordable A and J series, AMOLED dominated Samsung’s global smartphone lineup. Only a few models, such as the Galaxy A6+ and Galaxy J4, retained LCD screens due to market segmentation.

This transition marked a pivotal moment in Samsung’s display evolution—a shift from exclusivity to ubiquity, setting a new visual standard across the entire smartphone industry.

FAQs

1. Which 2018 Samsung phones used LCD screens?

The Galaxy A6+ and Galaxy J4 were the main 2018 models using LCD (TFT/PLS) displays.

2. Did all flagship Samsung phones in 2018 use AMOLED screens?

Yes, all flagship models—Galaxy S9/S9+ and Galaxy Note9—featured Samsung’s advanced Super AMOLED displays.

3. Why did Samsung continue using LCD in some models?

To reduce production costs and cater to budget markets, especially in regions where price sensitivity is high.

4. Which 2018 Samsung model had the world’s first quad-camera setup?

The Galaxy A9 (2018) introduced the world’s first quad rear-camera system.

5. How did AMOLED displays benefit Samsung’s brand image?

They reinforced Samsung’s reputation for innovation and superior display quality, becoming a key differentiator in a crowded smartphone market.

Loly

Hi, I’m Loly, the funder of MoPhoneParts.com, I’ve been running a factory in China that makes Mobile Phone Parts for 8 years now, and the purpose of this article is to share with you the knowledge related to cellphone parts from a Chinese supplier’s perspective.