Apple partners ready to compete with Samsung, LG

BOE aims to supply more than 100 million OLED screens to Apple. Photo: Bloomberg .

Chinese display maker BOE is making a push to re-enter Apple's supply chain after being removed from the list of partners for a while. According to the latest report from UBI Research , BOE plans to supply more than 100 million OLED panels for iPhones each year, amid increasingly fierce competition with Samsung Display and LG Display.

In late 2022, Apple asked BOE to stop producing OLED screens for the iPhone 13 after discovering that the company had changed the design of its transistors without approval. The incident caused BOE to lose its important role in the iPhone supply chain at that time.

After the incident, the Chinese manufacturer gradually regained Apple's trust. BOE was allowed to continue supplying OLED screens for the iPhone 14 but with limited output. Currently, this giant is boosting production at the B11 factory in Chengdu with a total of 26 module producing lines specialized in OLED screens for Apple. Of these, 11 lines are operating for mass production, three lines are for research and development, and the rest have not been put into operation.

Each line is estimated to produce 350,000 panels per month. With a utilization rate of 90% and a productivity of around 85%, BOE could supply more than 100 million OLED screens per year to Apple if it maintains stable operations.

BOE's return to the iPhone supply chain not only helps Apple diversify its supply sources but also puts competitive pressure on Samsung and LG on price. Meanwhile, the company also aims to close the gap with its two Korean rivals in terms of display quality, brightness and product durability.

However, BOE's role in the initial shipments of the new iPhones is still limited. With the iPhone 17 due out later this year, BOE will not be a major supplier at the initial stage. In addition, the manufacturer's ability to expand its market share is likely to only come after the iPhone 18, which is expected to be released in 2026.

Source: https://znews.vn/doi-tac-apple-dat-muc-tieu-khung-post1565114.html