Chinese leading display manufacturer and Apple display supplier, BOE Technology Group plans to increase OLED panels production for Apple and other clients to meet the high demand and compete with South Korean rivals, Samsung and LG.
In 2020, BOE joined Apple’s supply chain after it passed the tech giant’s certification. Starting with iPhone 12, BOE ships OLED display panels for iPhone 13, along with Samsung and LG. However, BOE’s share of Apple’s business is smaller than the South Korean partners. Therefore, it is working on expanding its production of OLED panels and taking over LG’s share of the iPhone display.
BOE will start two production lines in Chengdu, Mianyang, and Chongqing plants to supply OLED panels to Apple
In February 2022, it was reported that BOE cut production of OLED panels for iPhones by 2 to 3 million because of the global chip crisis for the next two months. Recently, BOE told investors that are planning to increase the production OLED of panels up to 70% this year by operating Chengdu, and Mianyang in Sichuan and Chongqing plants at full capacity.
Currently, plants in Sichuan supply OLED panels to Apple and the Chongqing plant will deliver panels to iPhone makers as well. Reportedly, the Chinese display manufacturer will also provide panels for iPhone 15 Pro models in 2023.
BOE told investors on Wednesday it plans to boost deliveries of OLED planes by nearly 70% this year. Two production lines in Chengdu and Mianyang, in Sichuan Province, are expected to operate at full capacity by the end of the current fiscal year.
A third line in Chongqing is launching full mass production. These increases will raise OLED output to over 100 million units this year from 60 million units in 2021.
This is not the first time, BOE expansion plans have been shared. In January this year, the Elec reported that the Chinese manufacturer has converted one of its facilities dedicated to producing OLED for smartphones into manufacturing OLED panels for IT products like tablets and notebooks, and automobiles, as well.
