Apple’s quest to diversify its OLED display panel suppliers has hit a roadblock, as Chinese firm BOE’s persistent failure to meet the company’s stringent quality standards has forced Apple to increase its orders with Samsung Display by 20%. This development highlights the challenges Apple faces in reducing its reliance on Samsung, which has been the exclusive OLED panel supplier for all iPhone models since the iPhone X.
BOE’s Ongoing Struggles to Meet Apple’s Quality Standards
BOE’s OLED panels have repeatedly failed Apple’s quality tests, leading to the company reallocating BOE’s intended share to Samsung Display. This is not the first time BOE has faced this issue; over the past few years, there have been multiple reports of BOE’s OLED panels failing Apple’s quality control.
The issues reportedly stem from BOE’s difficulties in manufacturing dual-punch-hole cutouts for the Dynamic Island design, a key feature of the upcoming iPhone 15 series. Apple’s strict quality standards and commitment to delivering a premium user experience have left BOE struggling to meet the mark.
Samsung Display’s Dominance in OLED Market Continues
Samsung Display remains the sole supplier of OLED panels for all four iPhone 15 models, including the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max (or iPhone 15 Ultra). With BOE’s failure to meet Apple’s standards, Samsung has received 20% more OLED panel orders than initially planned, further solidifying its dominance in the market.
Apple’s ongoing struggles with BOE’s OLED panels have reinforced its reliance on Samsung Display. Despite Apple’s efforts to diversify its supply chain, Samsung continues to be the only supplier capable of meeting Apple’s stringent quality requirements. As Apple unveils the iPhone 15 series, the spotlight is on Samsung’s continued dominance in the OLED display market and the challenges BOE must overcome to become a viable alternative.