Samsung Display is reportedly preparing to receive more panel orders from Apple and has acquired more manufacturing equipment to meet the increased demand. Apple's iPhone 14 Max has exceeded the company's sales expectations, and the manufacturing of additional LTPO OLED panels will fall on Samsung Display as rival suppliers face low yield issues.
Apple's apparent strategy to underwhelm base iPhone 14 buyers into spending extra for the iPhone 14 Max appears to have worked. The Pro Max model is the best-selling of the bunch, which means that Apple now requires more LTPO OLED panels to avoid running out of phones. (via The Elec)
Samsung Display already had the lion's share of all iPhone 14 panel shipments, accounting for 82% of orders. Now, Samsung's share of iPhone 14 displays is even higher. Instead of 130 million OLED iPhone panels, Samsung Display is working on shipping 149 million units to Apple.
Samsung Display orders more manufacturing equipment
To meet Apple's increased demand for iPhone 14 Pro Max OLED panels, Samsung has reportedly ordered more manufacturing equipment from three suppliers, including AP Systems, HB Solution, and Philoptics. Samsung will install the new equipment at its facilities in Vietnam.
Other Apple suppliers trying to compete with Samsung Display for panel orders are LG Display and China's BOE. LG Display will begin manufacturing panels this month, as its production got delayed by technical challenges. BOE has also been losing face and is responsible for just 6% of all iPhone 14 panel orders to date.
With rivals underperforming, Samsung Display will continue filling the role of the primary LTPO “Super Retina” display supplier for Apple's iPhone 14 Pro Max. The device is equipped with a 6.7-inch panel that can achieve an impressive brightness level of 2,000 nits. And for the first time in Apple's history, the new panel has Always-On capabilities.
