Apple May Be Shifting Back to Samsung for Future Display Production

[MacRumors]

Despite an ongoing lawsuit with Samsung that has led to ever increasing animosity between the two companies, Apple is said to be considering new contracts with Samsung to provide displays for its product lineup. According to Korean site ETNews.com (via AppleInsider), Apple is planning to resume purchasing LCDs from Samsung Display as the company is better equipped to keep up with high demand.

As the thin glass process was adopted to the production of touch screen panels, the related industry is expected to show stiff growth every year - there are very few Japanese or Taiwanese competitors in the thin glass market.

The industry is guessing that one of the reasons Apple decided to come back to Samsung Display is because of the thin glass. Samsung Display's thin glass vendors have made a very visible growth in the industry, because Samsung Display, unlike LG Display, relies on its vendors for most of the thin glass processes.

Late last year, it was reported that Apple and Samsung would cut display ties in 2013, with Apple instead relying on other suppliers like LG Display and AU Optronics. Apple also cut back on memory orders from Samsung and in April, news hit that Apple would exclude Samsung from the development of its A7 system-on-a-chip, shifting production to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company instead.

If Apple is indeed willing to begin mending ties with Samsung, the shift back to Samsung Display comes just as the company begins preparations for both the fifth generation iPad and the iPhone 5S. Reports have suggested that Apple will begin production of the next iPhone in June, with iPad production following shortly after in July.

Article Link: Apple May Be Shifting Back to Samsung for Future Display Production

 

[Klae17]

There's a Ying to every Yang.

 

[NYhaven]

The irony in that

 

[lotzosushi]

How sad...

 

[arctic]

Shifting Back to Samsung

Bloody so. The Samsung panels utilized for the retina Macbook Pros are far better than the LG ones.

 

[samcraig]

Grabs the popcorn because you just know people are going to go ape over this and this thread will be fun to watch...

ETA: Especially those that insisted Apple didn't need Samsung...

 

[daynel]

Why can't Apple just make the displays themselves? And assemble the phone themselves? Get rid of middle men which would get rid of the product leakers! Because they could have Cupertino-level secrecy in an Apple factory too!

Use their billions to make their own Apple factories!

 

[tdtran1025]

Just kiss and make up tonite, for there will be another fight.

 

[Jayse]

It's just good business. No need to kiss and make up if billions of dollars in contracts are on offer.

 

[Krauser]

As they should. As far as panels go, they're the best in the business. Case and point, the MacBook Retina displays. Apple should be worrying about what's best for the consumers to create the best product they can. If Samsung offers the best panels, the right thing to do is utilize them. If they want to hold true to their word of "making the best products they possibly can", they need to do it, even if it means working with a competitor.

 

[samcraig]

Why can't Apple just make the displays themselves? And assemble the phone themselves? Get rid of middle men which would get rid of the product leakers! Because they could have Cupertino-level secrecy in an Apple factory too!

Use their billions to make their own Apple factories!

If it were that "simple" - they would have. Clearly it's not.

 

[LaDirection]

Well well well, look who comes crawling back.

 

[Che Castro]

"Keep up with high demand"

But according to previews articles on this site , the demand was going down for apple products

 

[iisdan]

"Keep up with high demand"

But according to previews articles on this site , the demand was going down for apple products

The demand for iPhone is going up, the demand for traditional desktop Mac's are going down.

 

[Tankmaze]

if it's better and can keep up with demands....

why not, it's a win for apple customers.

 

[Michael Scrip]

"Keep up with high demand"

But according to previews articles on this site, the demand was going down for apple products

Apple is still selling 400,000 iPhones every day.

So they must produce that many too.

That's an insane amount of products for any company. Sometimes you gotta go with whoever can give you the supplies... even if that happens to be Samsung.

 

[theOtherGeoff]

Well well well, look who comes crawling back.

Glass is a lot less strategic than chip fab. And for apple, it's all about the glass (better visuals, stronger, lighter, faster, power economy). And Samsung's lcd division certainly wants to court the largest customer outside of samsung. Finally, the leverage of the expected future US court decision may sway Samsung to play nice with Apple. I'm sure there are deals being made that can't be refused

"Business, Always Business" - The Greek - The Wire.

 

[PollyK]

So what happened to all the huffing and puffing Apple was doing in regards to getting rid of Samsung. Let's not forget all the posters on this forum singing the praises of Apple for making the choice to minimize Samsung as a supplier. and all that ridiculous talk about how Apple doesn't need Samsung. This is a prime example how you never let your emotions mix in with business. Bottom line, there is no supplier that can offer the quality and quantity of parts like Samsung. And this is why they are the prime player that has risen in the market to challenge Apple.
So how many times has Apple come back to Samsung now? I recall this happened a few other times.

 

[dec.]

This pretty much shows that the public perception of the entire "Apple VS Samsung"-"war" has nothing to do with what is going behind the scenes.

 

[bitcloudrzr]

Well well well, look who comes crawling back.

To the ZAPPER!

 

[Renzatic]

Why can't Apple just make the displays themselves? And assemble the phone themselves? Get rid of middle men which would get rid of the product leakers! Because they could have Cupertino-level secrecy in an Apple factory too!

Use their billions to make their own Apple factories!

Because that would make Apple absolutely massive with tons upon tons of overhead. They'd have huge factories that cost millions in upkeep for the sole purpose of manufacturing a relatively small amount of electronics.

Basically it'd be the polar opposite of Steve Job's stated vision of keeping the company small and focused. Producing everything top to bottom would gain Apple nothing, and cost them plenty.

 

[-AG-]

Its funny because instead of looking at the article and realising that its a Korean paper trying to prop up support for Korean Manufacturing over Japanese or Taiwanese.

People are reading a rumour and treating it like fact.

Read between the line before jumping up and down and crying bloody murder.

 

[Dzupiris]

Nooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!

 

[samcraig]

Because that would make Apple absolutely massive with tons upon tons of overhead. They'd have huge factories that cost millions in upkeep for the sole purpose of manufacturing a relatively small amount of electronics.

Basically it'd be the polar opposite of Steve Job's stated vision of keeping the company small and focused. Producing everything top to bottom would gain Apple nothing, and cost them plenty.

So when do you expect some members on here to boycott?

 

[Renzatic]

So when do you expect some members on here to boycott?

Funny you should ask. I'm writing up the petition as we speak.