– Samsung is reportedly evaluating BOE as a supplier for Galaxy S27 OLED panels to save about $5 per panel.
– The move hinges on BOE’s ability to meet Samsung Display’s specs, with early “not-bad” evaluations and a potential RFQ process.
– If adopted at scale, this could impact supply chain costs for Galaxy S27 without guaranteed or immediate changes to display quality.
With the ongoing memory crisis and prices for components increasing, smartphone manufacturers are trying to find ways to save money in the production line. Samsung is one of these brands and is having to make some adjustments for its Galaxy S flagship series of phones. That seems to be the case with the Galaxy S27 at least, according to the latest information coming out of the company’s home market.
Samsung’s OLED sourcing move and cost implications
The report by ZDNet Korea states that Samsung is getting serious about sourcing OLED panels for its Galaxy S27 from BOE, a Chinese supplier. Reports of Samsung thinking about outsourcing its OLED panels surfaced earlier this month, but now it looks like the company is moving forward with the decision. The report states that BOE can provide OLED panels for $5 cheaper per panel than the Korean giant’s own Samsung Display division. Up till now, Samsung has used its own OLED panels for its Galaxy S flagship series, but relied on other suppliers like CSOT and BOE for the mid-range phones.
Industry insiders and the RFI process
Citing multiple industry insiders, the report states that Samsung has not only sent a Request for Information (RFI) to BOE, but has been evaluating its panels for a month. These panels have received a “not-bad” evaluation, which apparently Samsung deems worth considering. An RFI is typically followed by a Request for Quotation (RFQ).
Financial impact and production plans
The $5 saved per panel would end up being a significant amount, considering the volumes that Samsung ships. The smartphone maker is expected to leverage BOE’s B16 8th-gen IT OLED line.
Display quality questions and future outcomes
Does this mean the Galaxy S27 models will have inferior displays to the other models in the lineup or even the Galaxy S26 (buy on Amazon)? The report mentions that since the specifications for the standard OLED panels for Galaxy S phones have remained unchanged over the past few years, BOE should not face any technical issues in meeting Samsung’s requirements. It’s too early to say if there will be any real-world compromises.