Apple May Be Shifting Back to Samsung for Future Display Production

iphone_5_displayDespite an ongoing lawsuit with Samsung that has led to ever increasing animosity between the two companies, Apple is said to be considering new contracts with Samsung to provide displays for its product lineup. According to Korean site ETNews.com (via AppleInsider), Apple is planning to resume purchasing LCDs from Samsung Display as the company is better equipped to keep up with high demand.

As the thin glass process was adopted to the production of touch screen panels, the related industry is expected to show stiff growth every year - there are very few Japanese or Taiwanese competitors in the thin glass market.

The industry is guessing that one of the reasons Apple decided to come back to Samsung Display is because of the thin glass. Samsung Display’s thin glass vendors have made a very visible growth in the industry, because Samsung Display, unlike LG Display, relies on its vendors for most of the thin glass processes.

Late last year, it was reported that Apple and Samsung would cut display ties in 2013, with Apple instead relying on other suppliers like LG Display and AU Optronics. Apple also cut back on memory orders from Samsung and in April, news hit that Apple would exclude Samsung from the development of its A7 system-on-a-chip, shifting production to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company instead.

If Apple is indeed willing to begin mending ties with Samsung, the shift back to Samsung Display comes just as the company begins preparations for both the fifth generation iPad and the iPhone 5S. Reports have suggested that Apple will begin production of the next iPhone in June, with iPad production following shortly after in July.

Popular Stories

iOS 18

Here Are Apple's Full Release Notes for iOS 18.2

Thursday December 5, 2024 11:48 am PST by
Apple seeded the release candidate version of iOS 18.2 today, which means it's going to see a public launch imminently. Release candidates represent the final version of new software that will be provided to the public should no last minute bugs be found, and Apple includes release notes with the RC launch. The iOS 18.2 release notes provide a look at all of the new features that are coming...
Apple AI Command Center Concept Mock 3

Apple Expected to Launch This All-New Device Next Year

Wednesday November 27, 2024 1:05 pm PST by
Apple is expected to kick off 2025 by launching an all-new smart home hub, also referred to as a "command center," as early as March. The hub is expected to feature around a six-inch display that can be attached to a tabletop base with a speaker, or mounted on a wall. The device is said to run a new "homeOS" operating system with a customizable widget-focused home screen, and it is expected...
airpods pro 2 gradient

AirPods Pro 3 Expected Next Year: Here's What We Know

Thursday November 28, 2024 3:30 am PST by
Despite being released over two years ago, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 continue to dominate the wireless earbud market. However, with the AirPods Pro 3 expected to launch sometime in 2025, anyone thinking of buying Apple's premium earbuds may be wondering if the next generation is worth holding out for. Apart from their audio and noise-canceling performance, which are generally regarded as...
Tim Cook WWDC 2024

Apple CEO Tim Cook Opens Up About AI Plans, Vision Pro Future, and More in New Interview

Wednesday December 4, 2024 5:40 am PST by
WIRED today shared in an in-depth interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook, asking questions about AI, Vision Pro sales, pre-recorded keynotes, and more. The wide-ranging interview covers Apple's pivot toward AI technology, including what Apple Intelligence features Cook finds most useful, Apple's partnership with OpenAI, and the environmental impact of AI. For example, WIRED asked Cook about...
Generic iOS 18

Apple Seeds Release Candidate Versions of iOS 18.2 and More With Genmoji, Image Playground and ChatGPT Integration

Thursday December 5, 2024 10:03 am PST by
Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 updates to developers and public beta testers for testing purposes, two weeks after releasing the fourth betas. Alongside the release candidate versions of the iPhone, iPad, and Mac operating system updates, Apple has also seeded the watchOS 11.2, tvOS 18.2, and HomePod Software 18.2 RCs....
Whatsapp Feature

WhatsApp to Drop Support for These iPhones Starting May 2025

Monday December 2, 2024 2:57 am PST by
WhatsApp is set to end support for iOS versions older than iOS 15.1 from May next year, removing the chat platform's compatibility with several iPhone models in the process. From May 5, 2025, WhatsApp will no longer be compatible with iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 6 Plus models. Users with those devices won't be able to access the encrypted chat service after the specified date unless they ...
iPhone 14 Pro Display Two Times Brighter Feature

Every Display Upgrade Rumored for Apple's iPhone 17

Friday December 6, 2024 5:14 am PST by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 lineup may bring some of the most significant display improvements we've seen in recent years. While the iPhone 17 series isn't expected until late 2025, multiple rumors suggest Apple is working on substantial screen upgrades across its entire smartphone range. From enhanced refresh rates to advanced materials and improved power efficiency, these display...

Top Rated Comments

arctic Avatar
150 months ago
Shifting Back to Samsung

Bloody so. The Samsung panels utilized for the retina Macbook Pros are far better than the LG ones.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
samcraig Avatar
150 months ago
Grabs the popcorn because you just know people are going to go ape over this and this thread will be fun to watch...

ETA: Especially those that insisted Apple didn't need Samsung...
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LaDirection Avatar
150 months ago
Well well well, look who comes crawling back.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PollyK Avatar
150 months ago
So what happened to all the huffing and puffing Apple was doing in regards to getting rid of Samsung. Let's not forget all the posters on this forum singing the praises of Apple for making the choice to minimize Samsung as a supplier. and all that ridiculous talk about how Apple doesn't need Samsung. This is a prime example how you never let your emotions mix in with business. Bottom line, there is no supplier that can offer the quality and quantity of parts like Samsung. And this is why they are the prime player that has risen in the market to challenge Apple.
So how many times has Apple come back to Samsung now? I recall this happened a few other times.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Krauser Avatar
150 months ago
As they should. As far as panels go, they're the best in the business. Case and point, the MacBook Retina displays. Apple should be worrying about what's best for the consumers to create the best product they can. If Samsung offers the best panels, the right thing to do is utilize them. If they want to hold true to their word of "making the best products they possibly can", they need to do it, even if it means working with a competitor.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
samcraig Avatar
150 months ago
Why can't Apple just make the displays themselves? And assemble the phone themselves? Get rid of middle men which would get rid of the product leakers! Because they could have Cupertino-level secrecy in an Apple factory too!

Use their billions to make their own Apple factories!

If it were that "simple" - they would have. Clearly it's not.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)