14 DAY TRIAL // Apple is expected to make the full switch from LCD to OLED with the 2020 iPhone generation, meaning that in two years, all new smartphones released by the company could use this particular screen tech.
And while Samsung is now the exclusive supplier of OLED screens, Cupertino is looking into ways to reduce reliance on the South Korean firm and find other partners that could meet its high requirements, but at the same time reduce manufacturing costs in a substantial manner.
A Chinese company called BOE Technology Group and controlled by the Beijing government is reportedly interested in making OLED panels for future iPhones, and according to a recent report, Apple sees this as a great opportunity.
If Apple and BOE sign an agreement, it can all be just a huge win for everybody. First, Apple comes to better terms with the Chinese government, as the company wants to expand in China and benefit from the booming local market.
LG already building OLED panels for Apple
Then, it can make OLED screens much cheaper, eventually increasing the profit margin and possibly making iPhones more affordable.
At the same time, China itself can get closer to rivals South Korea and Japan, both of which have advanced significantly in the production of new technologies. By partnering with Apple, BOE can prove that China has the technological know-how to meet high standards, as Apple is seen as a pioneer of new systems with complex requirements.
There’s one major issue, however. BOE is only making LCD screens at this point, some of which are used on the iPad and the MacBook, and switching to OLED would represent a major transformation for the company. Given Apple’s said high standards, OLED production is quite a challenge for BOE.
In the meantime, Apple is also exploring other opportunities, including OLED manufacturing with LG. Production at an LG plant is projected to begin this year for the iPhone X Plus launching in September, with capacity to be expanded next year for more models.