Apple iPhone 15 to use Chinese BOE display instead of Samsung OLED

Since Apple switched to OLED panels with the iPhone X Series in 2017, it has relied on Samsung to source most of these panels. Samsung is a clear choice for Apple, the only reason being the second largest OLED panel manufacturer in the world, LG.

That changed in 2020 with Apple signing a small-scale Chinese company called BOE to manufacture displays for its lower-end iPhone 12. Although Samsung and LG continue to supply OLED panels to Apple, by 2023 BOE may eventually see an increase in the number of its displays designed for Apple.

It also meets the strict quality standards set by Apple, so its screen will end up among the top iPhone 15 Pro models in the future. Apple’s decision not to use BOE-made panels for top-tier iPhone 13 models has a lot to do with the fact that it has decided to use the iPhone 13 Series LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) display technology.

While BOE is still improving its LTPO capabilities, we are unlikely to see BOE-made panels on top-tier iPhone 14 models in 2022. In fact, reports already suggest that the panels will mainly come on the top-tier iPhone 14 model. From Samsung with a small percentage supplied by LG.

According to a South Korean publication TheElec, BOE’s fame is likely to come in 2023. The company is reportedly constantly working to ensure that its OLED panels meet the quality standards set by Apple. It aims to capture a large stake from LG and Samsung that year and supply LTPO OLED panels for future iPhone 15 Pro models.

In addition to taking steps to improve its quality, BOE is also aggressively expanding and modernizing its production facilities. It has a completely new assembly line for making flexible OLEDs, which will open in 2023 in several stages.

Things look great for BOE in 2022 as well, with Apple expected to use nearly 50 million BOE-made panels for the iPhone 14 series. It’s 20% of Apple’s OLED requirements.

At current growth rates, BOE is likely to surpass LG Display and become Apple’s second-largest OLED panel supplier in 2022. And due to its tremendous growth, Samsung’s reputation as the largest iPhone display supplier may even become available in a few years.