Apple May Drop iPhone Display Supplier Over Quality Issues

[MacRumors]

Apple supplier BOE is again facing issues with its OLED panel production for iPhones, prompting Apple to consider redirecting orders to Samsung Display and LG Display, according to sources in Korea (via OLED-info).

The Chinese display manufacturer has reportedly been struggling to meet Apple's quality standards for LTPS AMOLED displays intended for iPhone 14, 15, and 16 models. Since the beginning of 2024, BOE has only managed to deliver approximately 7-8 million panels to Apple, falling drastically short of its roughly 40 million unit orders.

The quality issues are expected to take at least six weeks to resolve. Meanwhile, industry insiders suggest that Samsung Display is likely to receive the majority of any redirected orders, since LG Display's production capacity is primarily focused on manufacturing LTPO AMOLED displays for iPhone "Pro" models.

This is just the latest setback in BOE's troubled history with iPhone OLED production. The company faced similar challenges in 2023 when it struggled with light leakage issues around the Dynamic Island cutout for iPhone 15 displays, leading Apple to reduce orders significantly.

Article Link: Apple May Drop iPhone Display Supplier Over Quality Issues

 

[JapanApple]

This is a good thing! Good get a better supplier! Dump the trash

 

[JosephAW]

Remember the days when Apple allowed one or two dead pixels in their displays.

 

[kamyk35]

Not sure why Apple keeps persisting with BOE, it's the same issues every year.
One of the many reasons, I only buy the pro models

 

[Guacamole]

Not sure why Apple keeps persisting with BOE, it's the same issues every year.
One of the many reasons, I only buy the pro models

who makes the panels for the pros?

 

[multipasser]

Still so strange 'samsung' provides his biggest competitor with screens

 

[brofkand]

Still so strange 'samsung' provides his biggest competitor with screens

Samsung is probably proud of the fact that they make technology so good even their competition wants to use it.

 

[Squidiey]

who makes the panels for the pros?

Life’s Good 🔴

 

[TechWhisperer]

Kinda sucks if you end with a display from BOE, lol.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

who makes the panels for the pros?

Samsung and LG are pretty much in everything OLED for the industry and manufacturers buy from them. That Sony TV panel…it’s one of them. iPad Pro…yup, it’s them. Companies just provide different specs or calibrate it differently on their end.

 

[JokoWidodo]

BOE will supply 100% of iPhone SE4 screen 😀😀

 

[Dr McKay]

Samsung is probably proud of the fact that they make technology so good even their competition wants to use it.

Samsung's divisions is effectively different companies, I doubt their display division considers Apple a competitor any more than their heavy earth machinery division does or their appliance division.

 

[AppliedMicro]

Not sure why Apple keeps persisting with BOE, it's the same issues every year.

To have some bargaining power against their other suppliers (and play them off against each other), obviously.

While Apple loves operating monopolies themselves (e.g. App Store), they hate being on the receiving end of one for supplies.

 

[DBZmusicboy01]

Samsung Display is the only one Apple should trust. Always high quality and reliable.

 

[throAU]

This is a good thing! Good get a better supplier! Dump the trash

Good in theory, but less able suppliers of these panels means higher cost due to reduced competition.

It’s great that apple are not just reducing quality, but there’s only so many displays that can be produced.

 

[Expos of 1969]

BOE will supply 100% of iPhone SE4 screen 😀😀

Sadly you could be correct.

 

[washburn]

Is there a way to check who is the display manufacturer on your iPhone?

 

[taliz]

To have some bargaining power against their other suppliers (and play them off against each other), obviously.

While Apple loves operating monopolies themselves (e.g. App Store), they hate being on the receiving end of one for supplies.

Yeah. This is why Apple bought Intels modem business.
There was no competition for Qualcomm, so they had to create it themselves.

 

[surferfb]

Remember this story next time some rumor says “product x isn’t selling because Apple cut orders from a key supplier” - there is more than one reason for cutting orders.

 

[cdsapplefan]

who makes the panels for the pros?

Apple gives the Pro orders to the more reliable and experienced Samsung Display.

 

[JapanApple]

Good in theory, but less able suppliers of these panels means higher cost due to reduced competition.

It’s great that apple are not just reducing quality, but there’s only so many displays that can be produced.

It’s better to get a supplier that can actually do the job correctly. So theoretically it’s right

 

[svish]

Good to know about this. Samsung Displays are the best, followed by LG. Maybe BOE will return as supplier in the future once all the issues are settled.

 

[Realityck]

Good in theory, but less able suppliers of these panels means higher cost due to reduced competition.

It’s great that apple are not just reducing quality, but there’s only so many displays that can be produced.

That’s for sure. BOE even with their lower production is desired rather then less competition.

 

[ksec]

I am expecting the iPhone SE to be all BOE display.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Samsung's divisions is effectively different companies, I doubt their display division considers Apple a competitor any more than their heavy earth machinery division does or their appliance division.

Apple has been investing in Samsung Display since the late 90s, starting with a $100M investment. At the time it was to figure out a way to make LCDs more cost effective.

The Mac Observer--Apple Plunks US$100 Million Into Samsung