Apple's budget-friendly iPhone SE line is rumored to see its next iteration in 2025. Although that’s still a bit far off, there have already been many leaks about the upcoming phone. Now a new report from The Elec suggests that LG Display might join as a second supplier of OLED screens for the upcoming iPhone SE line.
BOE is said to be the first supplier for the iPhone SE 4’s display which reportedly won the bid over Samsung due to its lower panel costs. Apple has previously worked with BOE on other iPhone models, so this partnership isn’t new.
Display Suppliers and Production
However, BOE’s share for the SE 4 is expected to be the largest it has had for any iPhone. The Elec reports it will provide 60 to 70% of the screens — about 20 million units per year.
Alleged iPhone SE 4 render
The rest of the OLED panels for the iPhone SE 4 are expected to come from a second supplier, rumored to be LG Display. According to The Elec, Apple is planning to use the iPhone 13’s display panel for the SE 4, but by downgrading the display features.
Simplifying Production
For those unaware, LG Display supplies panels for the iPhone 13s. Reusing this panel should simplify production for the manufacturer and lower costs for Apple.
A report earlier this month revealed that the iPhone SE 4 will feature a 6.06-inch display, while the iPhone 13 has a 6.1-inch screen. So if The Elec’s report is true, LG Display may need to make some adjustments to the panel to fit the SE 4.
Another display manufacturer, Tianma, has reportedly expressed interest in supplying displays for the iPhone SE 4. However, their technology is believed to be less advanced compared to BOE, making it unlikely they will be included in the supply chain at this stage.
