Apple iPhone 17 OLED Suppliers 2025: Samsung and LG Lock Out Chinese Rivals
Apple's 2025 iPhone 17 lineup will rely exclusively on Korean display manufacturers, as Chinese competitor BOE struggles with quality issues that have prevented it from meeting Apple's standards.
Samsung Display is expected to supply 80-90 million OLED panels for the iPhone 17 series, while LG Display will handle the remaining orders. The total production volume for iPhone 17 OLED panels is estimated at around 110 million units.
Both companies began production preparations in late May, with panel manufacturing starting in June ahead of Apple's expected September 2025 launch. The iPhone 17 series will include four models: a 6.1-inch standard version, 6.6-inch Air model, 6.3-inch Pro, and 6.9-inch Pro Max.
The key factor excluding Chinese manufacturers is Apple's decision to use LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) technology across all iPhone 17 models. Only Samsung Display and LG Display have successfully manufactured LTPO OLED panels according to Apple's specifications.
All iPhone 17 models will feature Samsung's M14 OLED panel technology, which delivers 30% better brightness and improved longevity compared to previous generations. This represents a major upgrade from the iPhone 16 series, where only Pro models included LTPO displays.
Chinese display giant BOE continues to struggle with quality issues, managing to ship only 7-8 million panels to Apple in 2024 from orders totaling around 40 million units. Sources indicate it will take at least six weeks for BOE to resolve current production problems.
BOE's LTPO OLED technology doesn't meet Apple's standards, effectively locking the Chinese manufacturer out of premium iPhone display supply. The company has historically supplied lower-tier LTPS panels for standard iPhone models but has repeatedly faced quality control setbacks.
LG Display has increased its smartphone OLED production capacity to 70 million units for 2025, up from previous years, specifically to meet Apple's enhanced requirements. This production ramp-up reflects the technological demands of LTPO manufacturing.
The shift to premium displays across all iPhone 17 models may drive higher pricing. Industry analysts predict iPhone sales could decline by up to 10% in 2025, reaching around 200 million units, partly due to increased component costs and market saturation.
Samsung Display maintains its position as Apple's primary display partner by supplying panels for all iPhone 17 models, while LG Display focuses on specific models excluding the Pro version. Apple has completed Engineering Validation Testing for at least one iPhone 17 model, indicating production remains on track for September.
The Korean companies' technological leadership in LTPO manufacturing creates a significant competitive moat. Even if BOE develops adequate LTPO technology in the future, Apple is expected to proceed with Korean suppliers for the iPhone 17 series.
This supply chain arrangement reinforces the importance of advanced manufacturing capabilities in securing contracts with major technology companies, while highlighting ongoing challenges for Chinese manufacturers attempting to penetrate Apple's premium supply chain.
