Apple display panel supplier BOE is still cooling its heels waiting for approval from Apple to manufacture OLED panels for the upcoming iPhone 14 lineup. The company was cut out of the iPhone 13 supply chain after it was discovered that BOE made changes without Apple’s approval.
The Elec reports The Chinese display manufacturer was dropped from the iPhone 13 supply chain after it was found to have made design changes to its OLED panels. The company had expanded the circuit width of thin-film transistors.
While BOE executives reportedly visited Cupertino to explain the circuit design changes, it appears that the explanation did not convince Apple to return BOE to its spot in the supply chain. Instead, Apple is considering giving BOE’s cut of the display action to Samsung and LG instead.
The Chinese display panel sent a C-level executive and employees to Apple’s headquarters following the incident to explain why they changed the circuit width of the transistors.
They also asked the iPhone maker to approve the production of OLED panels for iPhone 14, but didn’t receive a clear response from Apple, they also said.
Cupertino seems poised to give the order for around 30 million OLED panels it intended to give BOE before the incident to Samsung Display and LG Display instead.
BOE has been manufacturing OLED panels for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 at its two factories in China and accounted for just 10% of all iPhone displays in 2021
BOE is likely to be restored to Apple’s OLED panel supply chain in the future, as its inclusion puts pressure on Samsung Display and LG Display to be more competitive and cut prices. BOE is likely developing a workaround to meet Apple’s requirements.