Reports earlier this year said Samsung Display could be losing out to BOE on Apple’s iPhone 15 display orders. However, a new report indicates that BOE is facing manufacturing and quality issues with its OLEDs, and as a result, Samsung Display will start manufacturing iPhone 15 panels earlier than anticipated.
Apple reportedly ordered BOE to start manufacturing OLED panels for the base iPhone 15 model. Like the iPhone 14, the sequel should have a display notch at the top. And according to reports, BOE is having issues manufacturing the notched panels. (via The Elec)
The Chinese display supplier has quality issues wherein the notched panels suffer from light leakage. Reportedly, light is leaking through the notch because it is not properly covered and isolated due to manufacturing issues.
Samsung to start manufacturing iPhone panels ahead of schedule
Because BOE couldn’t meet Apple’s standards and manufacturing schedule on time, Samsung Display will be asked to start manufacturing iPhone 15 OLED panels earlier than planned.
Samsung Display was supposed to enter the picture in June, but because BOE failed to conform to Apple’s requests, the Korean tech giant will start manufacturing OLED panels for the basic iPhone 15 model in May.
Following the original schedule, Samsung will then start manufacturing OLED panels for higher-end iPhone 15 variants in June. Alongside Samsung, LG Display will also start manufacturing LTPO TFT OLED panels for higher-end iPhone 15 models in the same month.
But despite these recent mishaps, reports say that BOE’s position in Apple’s supply chain remains secure. BOE lost face and OLED orders, but Apple still seems to want to keep the company in its supply chain. Sources say that once BOE fixes the light leakage issue, it may start supplying OLED panels before the end of the year. It all depends on whether or not BOE will solve the problems in due time. Until then, Samsung and LG will bear the bulk of iPhone 15 OLED orders.
