The line has traditionally been clear: Whilst the two Pro models in Apple’s annual iPhone lineup are equipped with displays manufactured by South Korean companies – primarily Samsung, and to a lesser extent LG – the other iPhone variants (such as the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus) sometimes use cheaper LTPS OLED panels produced by Chinese suppliers, particularly the Beijing-based BOE.
In recent years, there have been occasional reports suggesting that BOE might also get a shot at making Apple’s more premium ProMotion displays. However, Apple’s stringent quality standards have been a barrier – apparently until now. Citing information from the supply chain, South Korean trade journal DealSite recently revealed that the iPhone 17 series may be the first generation to tentatively adopt BOE’s LTPO OLED panels for its Pro models. For now, this shift appears to be limited to units sold in China.
Mass production of these BOE panels is expected to be green-lit before the end of July. The limited quantity for a country-specific rollout suggests BOE may not yet fully meet Apple’s requirements, but it is reportedly very close. Furthermore, the journal speculates that bringing another display supplier into the mix could be a strategy employed by Apple to pressure its South Korean partners into lowering their component prices – a scenario that isn’t too far-fetched in light of the ongoing tariff challenges. Nevertheless, the majority of displays used in the iPhone 17 series are still likely to come from South Korea, with Samsung and LG projected to supply 70 million and 43 million panels, respectively.
As a young tech enthusiast with a history involving assembling and overclocking projects, I ended up working as a projectionist with good old 35-mm films before I entered the computer world at a professional level. I assisted customers at an Austrian IT service provider called Iphos IT Solutions for seven years, working as a Windows client and server administrator as well as a project manager. As a freelancer who travels a lot, I have been able to write for Notebookcheck from all corners of the world since 2016. My articles cover brand-new mobile technologies in smartphones, laptops, and gadgets of all kinds.
Translator: Zhiwei Zhuang – Translator – 421 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2022
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering, I moved from Singapore to
Cologne in 2014 and began pursuing a career as a freelance translator. Much of my translation work
focuses on science, engineering and technology. My fascination with computers and mobile
electronics began when I was young. And I have fond memories reading countless tech and gaming
magazines. Working with Notebookcheck gives me the opportunity to incorporate my personal
interests into my professional work.