Three display firms are talking to Apple about supplying the iPhone SE 4 with OLED panels،
According to those in the know, Samsung Display's price proposal was the lowest with a quote of $30 for each unit. BOE was next as the company asks Apple to pay $35 for each panel, and Tianma asks $40 for each OLED panel. However, Apple is trying to get one of these companies to supply it with OLED displays for $20 each and negotiations will continue.
The price is lower than what Apple is paying for the iPhone 15's OLED display, as the iPhone SE 4 is expected to use legacy technology and recycled parts. It looks like the panel will be the same one used on the iPhone 14 in 2022 and the iPhone 13 in 2021. Both of these phones sport a 6.1-inch panel, just like the iPhone15. This is also a reason for lower prices since display suppliers won't have to invest in research and development like they would to produce a panel that has never been used before.
BOE had issues achieving Dynamic Island cutout on its OLED panels for iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus
Samsung Display has a huge advantage over other vendors since it already has inventory of the iPhone14's 6.1-inch OLED panel, which means it can support Apple's controls for the iPhone SE4 faster than its rivals. While Samsung Display and BOE have managed to achieve good yields when producing the panels, Tianma lags behind both companies in the technology and experience required to produce this important component.
In reality, the battle is between Samsung Display and BOE, and the former can undercut BOE's prices because it makes big profits by supplying the OLED panels for the iPhone15 series and later this year it will deliver the panels for the iPhone 16 line. BOE has yet to make a profit supplying OLED panels to Apple and desperately needs to win more business supplying Apple for the market. iPhone SE4.
Last year, BOE had the opportunity to accelerate its production of OLED panels for the iPhone15but the company had problems producing the Dynamic Island cutout for the panels for use on the iPhone15 and iPhone 15 Plus. As a result, Samsung Display had to step in and take over from BOE. Unless the latter lowers its prices to match Apple's $20 per unit demand, which seems unlikely given the red ink it has already spilled supplying panels for Apple, we expect Samsung Display to be awarded the majority of business.
