Samsung Display has been the OLED display panel supplier for all iPhone models released since the iPhone X, thanks to its superior quality. Apple has been trying to reduce its reliance on Samsung Display for OLED panels over the past few years by bringing in two more panel suppliers—BOE and LG Display—in its supply chain. However, the company is finding it tough to leave Samsung.
Chinese firm BOE fails Apple's strict standards, forcing it to offer 20% more OLED orders to Samsung Display
A new report from ETNews claims that Apple was forced to offer more OLED orders to Samsung Display for its upcoming iPhones. Earlier, Apple's plan was to use LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) OLED panels from LG Display and Samsung Display for the pricier models in the iPhone 15 series: iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. For the cheaper models (iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus), the company planned to use BOE's LTPS (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Silicon) OLED panels. However, the report claims that BOE's OLED panels failed Apple's quality tests and standards, again. So, Apple was forced to offer BOE's intended share to Samsung Display.
And this isn't the first time BOE's OLED panels have failed Apple's strict quality standards. Over the past few years, there have been several reports about BOE's OLED panels failing Apple's quality tests, forcing the company to pay more to get OLED panels from LG Display and Samsung Display. An official in the display industry explained to ETNews, “It is unclear whether BOE will approve quality within the year, and there will likely be very little allocated volume this year, so it is understood that Samsung Display is, in fact, in charge of both general models.” BOE is reportedly having issues in making dual-punch-hole cutouts for the Dynamic Island design.
Samsung Display is reportedly the only brand to offer OLED panels for all four iPhone 15 models
So, Samsung is the only display panel supplier that has received orders to make OLED panels for all four iPhone 15 models: iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max (or iPhone 15 Ultra). The company has reportedly received 20% more OLED panel orders than originally planned. Apple will unveil the iPhone 15 series later today during a press event.
iPhone 15 series to launch on September 12, potentially featuring USB Type-C ports for the first time
Reports claim that Apple is finally switching to USB Type-C ports with the iPhone 15 series. Apparently, the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus will get a USB 2.0 Type-C port, while the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max will get a Thunderbolt 4/USB 4-compatible USB Type-C port. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is rumored to feature a periscope-style telephoto camera for long-range 6x zoom. These phones will compete with the Galaxy S23 series later this month.
The iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus are rumored to feature 60Hz OLED panels with pill-shaped cutouts for the selfie camera and the Face ID system. They could also get 48MP primary cameras, 12MP ultrawide cameras, and 12MP selfie cameras. These models are also expected to feature last year's A16 Bionic processor, while the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max are rumored to get the brand-new 3nm A17 Bionic processor.
Apple is also expected to offer 6GB RAM in the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus and 8GB RAM in the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max could have a 12MP selfie camera, a 48MP primary camera, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and a 12MP telephoto camera (3x on iPhone 15 Pro and 6x on iPhone 15 Pro Max). Apple could also equip new iPhones with bigger batteries.
