Apple iPhone SE 4 OLED Panels to Feature LG Display as Secondary Supplier

A report by The Elec this week said LG Display is expected to be the secondary supplier of OLED panels for next year's fourth-generation iPhone SE models. According to a…

By Hardik Dhamija

August 1, 2024

3 min read

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A report by The Elec this week said LG Display is expected to be the secondary supplier of OLED panels for next year’s fourth-generation iPhone SE models. According to a separate report that we published earlier this week, the new iPhone SE will feature an all-screen look without a Home Button and feature Face ID instead of Touch ID for biometric authentication. Screen size should grow from 4.7 inches to 6.06 inches, making the new iPhone SE the first model ever to come with OLED display technology.

More About the iPhone SE 4 OLED Panels

So, the OLED panels will be brought by BOE as a primary supplier and LG Display as a backup. Apple traditionally commands solely for China allowing BOE to make the LCD panels in iPhone SE models. Nevertheless, BOE has faced yield issues with OLED panels for iPhones in the past too, which is why Apple also brought on LG Display as a second source to guarantee supply chain stability and ensure there are no risks.

iPhone SE 4 will have OLED panel prices a lot lower than those for the iPhone 15. This equation will lower the cost because the SE panels come with legacy parts that are mostly on par with what is available in iPhone 13 and iPhone 14, eliminating new R&D costs for suppliers. Display makers have been going around with their hats in hand for some time now, if at least since as far back as last August which gives one an idea of how highly competitive this particular contract is.

Mass production of the fourth-generation iPhone SE is slated to begin in October this year, with the device expected to arrive in spring 2025. This timeline suggests that Apple is gearing up for a significant launch, potentially expanding its market reach with a more affordable yet feature-rich device.

In summary, the upcoming iPhone SE 4 will mark a substantial upgrade from previous models, featuring a larger OLED display and advanced technologies like Face ID and USB-C. With BOE and LG Display as its panel suppliers, Apple aims to ensure a reliable production process while keeping costs in check by using existing components. This strategic move highlights Apple’s approach to balancing innovation with cost efficiency.