When it comes to the roster of vendors supplying Apple displays for this year’s iPhone 14 series, Samsung has just found itself to be the top choice thanks to its Display arm.
According to a report by the South Korean newspaper ETNews (opens in a new tab), “industry insiders” say Apple has formally contacted Samsung Display with an order for approximately 80 million screens, to be delivered in the third quarter (July-September) of this year; in front of the iPhone 14the release scheduled for this September.
Order details confirm reports that this year’s device crop will not accommodate an iPhone 14 mini (as it has been presented in the last two generations of iPhones), with only two display sizes meant to serve on four discrete models.
Based on the range of devices previously suggested by a well-known leaker Ming-Chi KuoiPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro will use a 6.1-inch panel, while just under half of the total order is set to serve the larger iPhone 14 Max and the high-end iPhone 14 Pro Maxboth will feature a 6.7-inch display as Apple tries to create it best iPhone never in 2022.
Samsung Display will use two different manufacturing methods for OLED displays that form this order: LTPS-TFT and LTPO-TFT, with the latter offering greater energy efficiency than the former, meant to be directed at the two Pro models of the iPhone family. 14.
The standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max will likely use the more modest LTPS-TFT technology, which offers lower display refresh rates and slightly lower display quality.
Analysis: competition screening
While 80 million units for a single vendor would mark a huge win for Samsung Display, it’s not a great sign for Apple fans hoping for cheaper iPhones this year.
The more manufacturers are able to meet Apple’s demands and quality standards, the more competition, which means lower component prices and, in turn, savings that – theoretically – can be passed on to consumers.
In the past, fellow South Korean manufacturer LG Display has often supported Samsung in providing Apple displays for its iPhones. More recently, however, the two were joined by the Chinese supplier, BOE Technology.
BOE has been manufacturing displays for Apple since iPhone 12even whether or not the California-based company places orders with BOE for the iPhone 14 is still pending.
Apple only recently resumed production of iPhone 13 displays with BOE, after it was discovered that the Chinese company had cut corners on its manufacturing processes (as reported by 9to5Mac (opens in a new tab)) in order to reduce costs, without notifying the iPhone manufacturer in advance.
Although BOE’s restored position as a parts supplier for the iPhone 13 does not guarantee any involvement in the production of the iPhone 14, according to GSMArena (opens in a new tab)Apple is re-evaluating their viability as a potential supplier this week, which could lead to more competition for Samsung Display total orders and, again, the potential for a cheaper iPhone.