After acquiring orders for 6.1-inch iPhone 13’s OLED display, Apple supplier BOE is expanding its manufacturing capacity to capture a bigger share of the tech giant’s business. The Elec reports that BOE has converted one of its facilities dedicated to producing OLED for smartphones into manufacturing OLED panels for IT products and automobiles, as well.
In addition to Samsung, and LG, BOE also produces OLED panels for Apple’s latest iPhone series. Previously, it was reported that Chinese panel manufacturer is set to compete with LG for Apple’s OLED business by converting three factories to produce OLED panels for iPhones. It was estimated that by 2023, BOE will earn a larger share of OLED orders than LG. In addition to that, BOE wants to earn Apple’s display business for iPads and Macs.
Apple supplier, BOE diversifies its OLED manufacturing to produce panels for iPads, computers, and automobiles
According to the report, BOE has changed the layout of its B12 OLED panel factory in Chongqing, China to produce OLED panels for tablets, computers, and automobiles.
Phase 3 was initially designed to handle Gen 6 (1500x1850mm) flexible OLED panels for smartphones like phases 1 and 2. The change of plan hints that BOE is likely aiming to supply OLED panels for Apple’s IT products, from tablets to PCs.
Currently, Apple only offers OLED display tech in the iPhone series. But the company is expected to launch OLED MacBook models by 2025, and 12.9-inch iPad Pro with OLED display by the end of 2023 or in early 2024. Furthermore, the tech giant is also allegedly working on a passenger electric vehicle that is likely to feature an OLED display as a control panel like Tesla.
Due to the high demand for its products, Apple’s suppliers are in a rush to offer better services. Recently, it was reported that LG is expanding the production of small and medium-sized OLED display panels to meet the company’s high demand and will produce LTPO (TFT) OLED display for the upcoming iPhone 14 Pro Max model.
With two other suppliers playing a more significant role in its supply chain, Apple will also be able to reduce its reliance on Samsung which currently, has the major share of the company’s displays orders.
