Apple responds to BOE problems and switches to Samsung

Apple is once again having to adjust its supply chain. Problems with OLED production at Chinese display manufacturer BOE are forcing the relocation of millions of iPhone panel orders to Samsung Display. This incident underscores once again how sensitive Apple's hardware strategy is to quality issues at suppliers and how crucial reliable display partners are for the iPhone business.

Apple has relied on multiple display suppliers for years to reduce dependencies and mitigate production risks. BOE was long considered an important partner, especially for lower-priced iPhone models and older display technologies. The current difficulties therefore come as a surprise to many in the industry, particularly since BOE had previously demonstrated its ability to meet Apple's requirements. A report by the industry publication The Elec now provides new details on the situation.

Ongoing production problems at BOE

Several industry sources report that BOE has not yet fully resolved production problems from November and December of last year. These problems stem from difficulties in a specific manufacturing process, which at times forced the company to completely halt production of certain OLED panel variants. These issues directly impact Apple's iPhone production, as the affected panels do not meet the required quality standards.

Affected iPhone models and display types

In the second half of 2025, BOE supplied OLED panels for a whole range of Apple devices. These included the iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, iPhone 16, and iPhone 17, as well as the more affordable iPhone 16e and its planned successor, the iPhone 17e. According to the report, however, the panels for the iPhone 15, 16, and 17 were particularly affected by the quality problems.

It's noteworthy that BOE had previously supplied LTPS OLED panels for the iPhone 15 and 16 reliably over an extended period. While the iPhone 17's LTPO OLED panels are considered technically more complex, industry insiders believe there shouldn't have been comparable difficulties with the older models. An industry source explained that BOE had consistently supplied these models, making the current situation difficult for many observers to comprehend.

Focus on the iPhone 17e

BOE is now focusing its attention more intensely on the iPhone 17e, which is expected to be released in the spring. The company holds the largest panel allocation for this model among all Apple suppliers. The goal is to ensure a stable and sufficiently high-quality supply, at least for this model, so as not to further strain the business relationship with Apple.

Samsung Display is handling millions of orders

While BOE struggles with production issues, Samsung Display has taken over millions of redirected OLED orders in the past two months. This is an important step for Apple in avoiding supply bottlenecks. BOE shipped around 40 million iPhone OLED panels in 2024, but due to reported production declines, this number was likely significantly lower last year.

Strained relationship between BOE and Samsung

The current production problems come at a time when relations between BOE and Samsung Display are already strained. Samsung had accused its Chinese competitor of stealing trade secrets and infringing on AMOLED patents. As a result, the International Trade Commission launched an investigation and imposed preliminary import bans on BOE in the US.

The ITC initially found that trade secrets had been misappropriated and recommended import restrictions for almost 15 years. However, an agreement was reached between the companies at the end of 2025. BOE reportedly paid license fees to Samsung, thus settling the legal dispute.

Quality and delivery reliability are key factors for Apple

For Apple, the shift in OLED orders is primarily about ensuring quality and delivery capability. The problems at BOE highlight the high technical demands placed on modern iPhone displays and how quickly production difficulties can have a significant impact. At the same time, this situation underscores Samsung Display's strong position in the global OLED market. Apple thus remains reliant on a carefully balanced supply strategy to reliably bring future iPhone generations to market. (Image: Shutterstock / RYO Alexandre)