A recent report from TheElec reveals that Samsung Display, BOE, and Tianma have submitted their pricing proposals to Apple for OLED panels intended for the upcoming iPhone SE 4, set to launch in early 2025. This marks a significant shift for Apple, as the budget iPhone lineup has traditionally utilized LCD panels, but the company now plans to switch to OLED for its next iteration.
According to sources, Samsung Display offered a unit price of $30, while BOE proposed $35 and Tianma $40. However, Apple has countered with an offer of $20, and negotiations are currently ongoing. These OLED panel prices notably undercut those of the iPhone 15, as the panels for the SE 4 will incorporate recycled parts and older technologies.
The OLED panel expected for the iPhone SE 4 is likely to be the same as those used in the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 models, with a standard 6.1-inch size. This approach allows display panel suppliers to avoid additional investments in research and development, contributing to the reduced pricing.
Both Samsung Display and BOE have reportedly achieved satisfactory yield rates for the panels, while Tianma is considered to be lagging behind in OLED technology compared to its competitors. Samsung Display holds an advantage due to its existing inventory of iPhone 14 OLED panels, enabling it to promptly meet the demand for the iPhone SE 4. The company also aims to prioritize the production of more profitable OLED panels for the upcoming iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 series, allowing it to offer lower prices for the iPhone SE4 panels while maintaining profitability.
On the other hand, BOE, which has faced challenges in its iPhone OLED business, stands to benefit from winning additional orders for the iPhone SE 4. This would help improve its financial position after struggling to increase its OLED panel production capacity last year, particularly with the hole-display for the standard iPhone 15 model, resulting in Samsung Display securing more orders.
In conclusion, the pricing proposals from Samsung Display, BOE, and Tianma for OLED panels in the iPhone SE 4 showcase Apple’s transition to OLED technology for its budget iPhone lineup. As negotiations continue, it will be interesting to see how the final pricing and supplier agreements shape up for this highly anticipated device.