According to the technology news site TheElec. A manufacturer based in China is said to supply OLED panels for Apple’s low-cost phone.
Rumors that BOE (Beijing Oriental Electronics) will supply OLED panels for the iPhone SE 4 are spread. Apple is said to be developing its own microLED technology.
It’s all part of an effort to reduce their dependence on display manufacturers.Tthe main competitor in the smartphone market – Samsung.
It should also be noted that the partnership between Apple and BOE is also complicated.
In 2020, Apple discovered that some panels manufactured by BOE for the iPhone 12 failed quality tests.
Later, Apple also discovered that BOE made unapproved changes to the iPhone 13’s panel design.
Although BOE eventually reached an agreement to produce a 6.1-inch OLED display for the iPhone 14. It is said that it cannot produce the iPhone 15 screen according to Apple’s specifications.
Instead, the Chinese manufacturer aims to produce 6.1-inch OLED screens for the next low-cost iPhone.
The bottom line is that the iPhone SE 4 will likely use an older OLED design. BOE can take advantage of the existing component stock.
But the above is still not good news for Apple’s efforts to reduce dependence on Samsung
According to a report by The Information. As one of the only suppliers able to mass-produce high-end OLED panels at Apple’s request. Samsung has a certain amount of power.
Samsung Display is said to have done things that no other Apple supplier can dream of.
For example, they do not allow Apple engineers into their facilities and refuse to replace the panel supply. When a minor defect is discovered.
Apple’s microLED technology is likely to be rolled out on a small scale, starting with smartwatches.