It is rumored that the next version of Apple’s budget iPhone SE line will be released in 2025. Although this is still quite far away, there have already been many leaks about the upcoming phone. Now, a new report from The Elec suggests that LG Display could be joining as the second OLED screen supplier for the upcoming iPhone SE lineup.
BOE is said to be the first display supplier for the iPhone SE 4, reportedly winning the tender from Samsung due to the lower cost of the panels. Apple has previously worked with BOE on other iPhone models, so this partnership is not new.
However, BOE’s share of the SE 4 is expected to be the largest of all iPhones. The Elec reports that the company will provide 60 to 70% of the screens – about 20 million units per year.
The rest of the OLED panels for the iPhone SE 4 are expected to come from a second supplier, which is rumored to be LG Display. According to The Elec, Apple is planning to use the iPhone 13 display panel for the SE 4, but with a downgrade in display performance.
For those who don’t know, LG Display supplies panels for the iPhone 13s. Reusing this panel should simplify production for the manufacturer and reduce 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 report is true, LG Display may have to make some adjustments to the panel to make it fit the SE 4.
Another display manufacturer, Tianma, has reportedly expressed interest in supplying displays for the iPhone SE 4. However, their technology is considered to be less advanced than BOE’s, making it unlikely that they will be included in the supply chain at this stage.