Chinese display producer BOE is allegedly investing heavily in creating lines for OLED modules intended just for Apple products, in what seems to be BOE's latest attempt to secure orders and become part of the iPhone supply chain.
Victor and guest Sean Ryan discuss the news of 2019, iPhone SE2 rumors, and how Apple can make or break a company, with examples in TSMC, Imagination Technology's PowerVR, and China's BOE, producer of OLED displays.
Sources in the supply chain say that BOE will provide 45 million OLED display panels for the iPhone, making it second only to Samsung, and exceeding LG.
Japan Display has reached out to both Apple and Sharp Corp in hopes of selling off its main smartphone screen factory in hopes to settle its massive debt.
The three models of 'iPhone 12' expected for 2020 will all have OLED-based screens instead of splitting between LCD and OLED, a report claims, but the two higher-tier models are tipped to continue using a better display than the lower-cost variant.
Alongside previously reported bailout aid, Apple is now said to be helping financially troubled Japan Display by shortening the amount of time it takes to pay the screen manufacturer.
The infamous notch at the top of the current generation of iPhones could be eliminated in a future version, with Apple looking into including openings in the display itself that cameras, speakers, and other sensors could be positioned behind, providing them with access to the outside world while minimizing their appearance.
Doubling down on an earlier prediction, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple will produce new iPad Pro and MacBook Pro models featuring high-quality Mini LED displays in late 2020 or early 2021.
Apple manufacturing partner Japan Display has lost one of its consortium bailout participants — and the iPhone maker is reportedly considering coming to the rescue, again.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max has the best smartphone display available in a mobile device, DisplayMate has declared following lab testing of the OLED display.
A firm that aggregates patents on OLED tech has sued Apple over a wide array of products, alleging that despite not making its own OLED screens, Apple is responsible for the infringements.
Ailing LCD producer Japan Display could potentially start production of OLED panels for smartphones at one of its domestic facilities, the CEO of a consortium helping the manufacturer with a bail out suggests, one that could possibly provide screens for a future iPhone model.
Apple has begun to test OLED panels from other manufacturers in an effort to diversify its supply chain for the 2020 iPhone lineup.
The 2019 iPhones will use the same material as those used by Samsung's Galaxy smartphones, according to a report, a rumor that could be better from a supply chain point of view, but also means that Apple won't be using a custom material for its smartphone display.
Apple's suppliers are reportedly in the process of making 75 million of the September 2019 'iPhone 11' range, which is approximately the same as orders for the 2018 models.
On Tuesday LG Display, one of Apple's OLED suppliers for the iPhone, announced plans to invest $2.6 billion toward an existing OLED production line in South Korea.
Following years of development with different suppliers, Apple is reportedly close to switching Apple Watch display from OLED to micro LED, and production is expected to begin in time for a fall 2020 launch.
Trade wars are continuing to prompt Apple to rethink some of its manufacturing and supply chain options, with the iPhone maker said to be examining the situation of an ongoing tiff between South Korea and Japan, one which could lead to Apple using China's BOE for future iPhone display panels.
Beginning July 4 Japan is imposing new restrictions affecting South Korean tech companies, including key Apple suppliers Samsung and LG, in retaliation for a Korean court ruling finding Nippon Steel must pay for forced Korean labor during World War II.
Samsung has asked Apple to pay a penalty for not buying enough iPhone displays, hoping to recoup losses from missed manufacturing goals.
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Malcolm Owen
Victor Marks
William Gallagher
Amber Neely
Mike Wuerthele
Roger Fingas
