China-Based BOE to Supply OLED Panels for iPhone 13 Models

Apple has added display manufacturer BOE to its list of main suppliers of OLED panels for iPhone 13 models, according to a new report today from Nikkei Asia.

iphone 13 face id notch

The Beijing-based display maker began shipping a small number of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays for the 6.1-inch iPhone 13 in late September and is scheduled to increase those shipments soon, pending a final verification process, multiple people familiar with the matter said.

The final qualification will focus on the durability of the screens and will wrap up as early as this month, according to sources who spoke to Nikkei.

"It is in the process of final testing, but based on the results of earlier samples, BOE should have no problem passing the tests," an executive-level source with direct knowledge of the matter told Nikkei Asia. "The foundation of the collaboration between Apple and BOE is based on their previous project on the iPhone 12, and both Apple and BOE want this to happen soon."

Multiple ‌iPhone‌ 12 rumors suggested that BOE would supply some panels for the devices, but BOE ran into major production problems. In 2020, BOE failed to deliver its first shipment of OLED panels to Apple as displays created by BOE failed validation tests.

Initially, China's largest display maker will provide screens only for the more affordable 6.1-inch ‌iPhone‌ 13 model. BOE will initially split orders for the ‌iPhone‌ 13 displays with Samsung. BOE's share is expected to account for up to 20% of the total, but ideally the Chinese company wants to make up to 40% of orders for this model. BOE previously only supplied OLEDs for repaired and refurbished iPhones. It also makes LCD screens for Apple's iPads.

The development adds to pressure on LG Display and particularly Samsung, which has dominated the supply of OLEDs for iPhones since 2017. As the report notes, adding a third manufacturer will give Apple greater bargaining power in talks with the South Korean suppliers.

The OLED displays for the ‌iPhone‌ 13 will be made at BOE's Mian Yang complex in Sichuan Province, where it makes OLED screens for Chinese smartphone makers Huawei, Honor, Xiaomi, and Vivo. BOE has been prioritized by the local government for power supply amid unexpected shortages.

Tag: BOE
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Will Expand to These 8 U.S. States

Tuesday July 8, 2025 11:26 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly since it was announced in 2021, with only nine U.S. states, Puerto Rico,...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
apple account card feature

Apple Account Card Expanding to More Countries

Tuesday July 8, 2025 7:34 pm PDT by
Apple is expanding the ability to add an Apple Account Card to the Wallet app to more countries, according to backend Apple Pay changes. With iOS 15.5, Apple updated the Wallet app to allow users to add an Apple Account Card, which displays the Apple credit balance associated with an Apple ID. If you receive an Apple gift card, for example, it is added to an Apple Account that is also...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

Leaker Reveals Amount of RAM in iPhone 17 Through iPhone 17 Pro Max

Wednesday July 9, 2025 8:08 am PDT by
Three out of four iPhone 17 models will feature more RAM than the equivalent iPhone 16 models, according to a new leak that aligns with previous rumors. The all-new iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will each be equipped with 12GB of RAM, according to Fixed Focus Digital, an account with more than two million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
imac video apple feature

Apple Launching These 15+ Products Later This Year

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
The calendar has turned to July, meaning that 2025 is now more than half over. And while the summer months are often quiet for Apple, the company still has more than a dozen products coming later this year, according to rumors. Below, we have outlined at least 15 new Apple products that are expected to launch later this year, along with key rumored features for each. iPhone 17 Series iPho...

Top Rated Comments

Malus120 Avatar
49 months ago

In 2020, BOE failed to deliver its first shipment of OLED panels to Apple as displays created by BOE failed validation tests.
BOE previously only supplied OLEDs for repaired and refurbished iPhones. It also makes LCD screens for Apple's iPads.

Not a fan of multiple suppliers for the same product line.

Also this company failing validation so not being used before for new iPhones but being used for refurbished phones is shady and exposes the “like new” claim as a lie (maybe one of the reasons Apple settled that court case).
While it may not feel great from a user standpoint when one supplier provides noticeably better/more consistent quality components, having multiple suppliers is a just a necessity of doing business on this scale.

However the bit about BOE providing OLEDs for repaired/refurbished iPhone's is a pretty significant revelation that was just kind of glossed over in the article. Apple says refurbished devices are "like new" and I've never had reason to doubt them, nor feel that wasn't good enough... until today. The fact that they would use a panel supplier for repairs and refurbishment that wasn't up to QC snuff in time to be a supplier for new iPhones is... disquieting... to say the least even if BOE theoretically did resolve their QC issues after the iPhone launch or managed to ship a small number of panels that were high enough quality. I wonder how long this has been going on and what other product lines see similar things happening with repairs/refurbishment...
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Freeangel1 Avatar
49 months ago
never heard of this company. scary.

BOE?

hope it does not turn out like all the low quality screens for the M1 Laptops?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ian87w Avatar
49 months ago

Not a fan of multiple suppliers for the same product line.

Also this company failing validation so not being used before for new iPhones but being used for refurbished phones is shady and exposes the “like new” claim as a lie (maybe one of the reasons Apple settled that court case).
Well, let's hope the juicy tender from Apple encouraged them to improve their quality. The problem remains in consistency and quality control.

I just don't want to see consumers having glaring display issues and Apple telling them "it's normal. You're looking at it wrong."
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Vazor Avatar
49 months ago

never heard of this company. scary.

BOE?

hope it does not turn out like all the low quality screens for the M1 Laptops?
Sold my M1 MBP because Apple deemed the lightbleed normal because I could only see it in the dark
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
davidako Avatar
49 months ago
Not a fan of multiple suppliers for the same product line.

Also this company failing validation so not being used before for new iPhones but being used for refurbished phones is shady and exposes the “like new” claim as a lie (maybe one of the reasons Apple settled that court case).
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Realityck Avatar
49 months ago

never heard of this company. scary.

BOE?

hope it does not turn out like all the low quality screens for the M1 Laptops?st
BOE technology was founded in 1993. See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/BOE_Technology

BOE in 2019 will surpass LG Display to become the world's largest FPD supplier, according to IHS Markit.
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/11/19/boe-fails-apple-oled-panel-validation-again/
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)