CSOT hopes to supply OLED panels for iPhone models
At present, Samsung and LG are mainly responsible for providing OLED panels for Apple’s iPhone series, and BOE has been trying to be more deeply involved. Although BOE currently only supplies 6.1-inch OLED panels to iPhone models, accounting for only about 10% of the total shipments, however, there is news that the future high-end iPhone 15 Pro models may use BOE’s OLED LTPO panels. To this end, BOE has launched a new production plan, and its three factories will be converted into production factories for Apple’s OLED panels. Reports have pointed out that these factories can produce not only OLED panels for smartphones but also OLED panels for the iPad series.
According to The Elec, BOE is not the only panel manufacturer that wants to get orders for Apple’s OLED panels. CSOT also wants to break into Apple’s supply chain and has formed a team to win orders for OLED panels. At present, CSOT also produces OLED panels, which are used in some Samsung Galaxy M series mobile phones, and will also supply OLED panels for Galaxy A73 this year.
Apple will first evaluate CSOT’s T4 factory in Wuhan, which can produce sixth-generation flexible OLED panels. If it finally meets Apple’s requirements, CSOT will build a demonstration production line. After the evaluation is completed and approved, CSOT may consider using the T4 factory to supply OLED panels for iPhone models or build additional production lines to meet Apple’s needs.
Judging from BOE’s past failures, it is not easy to pass Apple’s assessment. In the fourth quarter of last year, Visionox, another panel manufacturer, also provided panels to Apple for evaluation, but the results were not satisfactory. Visionox has been investing in flexible OLED panels since 2018 and may continue to try in the future.