Galaxy S27 may use Samsung Display OLED after BOE deal collapses

For years now, Samsung has been sourcing OLED displays for its Galaxy S smartphones exclusively from one of its subsidiaries, Samsung Display. However, last month, a report claimed that the brand was considering sourcing OLED panels for the base model in its next lineup of flagship non-foldable smartphones, the Galaxy S27 series, from BOE to reduce manufacturing costs. There were even reports claiming that the company's CEO, TM Roh, had traveled to China to finalize the deal.

The news disappointed many Samsung fans, who feared that the base Galaxy S27 would feature a lower-quality display than its predecessors and the other models in the lineup. Fortunately, that no longer appears to be the case. According to a report from ET News, Samsung's negotiations with BOE have collapsed. It means that the tech giant is no longer expected to use BOE's OLED panels for the Galaxy S27. Instead, Samsung may equip it with Samsung Display's OLED panels.

According to the report, when BOE received a Request for Information (RFI) from Samsung Electronics for OLED panels for the Galaxy S27, the Chinese display maker launched a project dedicated to developing panels for the phone. However, opinions within the South Korean tech giant were divided from the outset, with many executives reportedly opposed to sourcing displays for its flagship smartphones from BOE. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the deal, BOE continued working on the project.

Meanwhile, Samsung Display was reportedly unhappy with the possibility of its largest customer and majority shareholder, Samsung, sourcing OLED panels from one of its biggest rivals. It is said to have urged the phone maker to reconsider the move. That pressure, combined with the divided opinions within Samsung and the overall negative sentiment toward the plan, ultimately led the company to abandon the deal with BOE. However, the report does not reveal the exact reason the negotiations collapsed.