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As Apple Issues Another Software Fix, Chinese Companies Want A Share Of Their Success

Chinese Companies who are keen to cuddle up to Apple are offering to build dedicated factories for iPhone components.

As Apple battles major software and hardware problems due primarily to their own iOS software, Chinese display maker BOE is trying to ween the Company from their dependency on Samsung to supply components such as OLED screens.

The OLED screens which have been in Samsung products for several years are now a key part of the new Apple X.

Samsung is the absolute leader in mobile OLED display tech, and its Galaxy S and Galaxy Note OLED dazzled owners of a Samsung smartphone many years ahead of the iPhone X’s arrival.Samsung Galaxy Note 8

But no Galaxy S or Note model was enough to push anyone else to adopt OLED screens.

But as soon as Apple was rumoured to launch its first OLED iPhone ever, rumours from Asian-based OLED display makers started to pile up. Companies like Samsung, LG, Japan Display, BOE, and others, were ready to invest in massive OLED projects, all looking to secure Apple’s orders.

It was Samsung that ultimately won iPhone X OLED exclusivity, as Apple’s biggest rival is the only one that can meet Apple’s demand this year, both when it comes to quantity and quality.

Up until recently, LG was rumoured to be the next in line to provide OLED displays for iPhone X successors, as Apple is trying to reduce its reliance on Samsung. Also ramping up is Sharp who are now owned by Foxconn a major Apple partner.

Now Chinese display maker BOE is aggressively pursuing the iPhone X opportunity and is willing to develop a multi-billion iPhone-only factory that would churn out supply only for Apple’s products, at least at first.

That’s according to ETNews which claims that BOE officials already met with Apple to discuss a potential deal.

BOE plans to invest $7.04 billion in a new display plant (B11 in Sichuan), while a second OLED plant (B12 in Chengdu) would be dedicated to Apple’s products. It’s unclear how much the facility would cost, but it’s also likely in the billions of dollars. Of note is that all potential iPhone OLED screen suppliers out there are rumoured to invest billions of dollars into OLED-related plans, Samsung included. But only BOE appears to be ready to offer it an iPhone-only line.

Pouring in cash into new OLED facilities isn’t enough, the report notes. BOE screen quality must meet Apple’s standards, and the certification may be a lengthy process. But it may be all worth it. Getting Apple’s approval will likely transform BOE into a reliable OLED display supplier for other smartphone makers out there, and a strong Samsung rival.

BOE seems determined to gain iPhone orders, the report indicates. The company already demoed OLED displays that would fit an iPhone X, notch included (image above). The company is also working on flexible screens that can be folded inwards and outwards, to equip an iPhone X generation of the future. A recent patent discovery made it clear that Apple is working on foldable iPhones.

BOE plans to produce flexible and foldable OLED at its B11 and B12 plans — that’s 70 percent flexible, 30 percent foldable mix for B11 and a 50 percent flexible, 50 percent foldable mix for B12. Does that mean half of iPhone X successors that will sport BOE OLED screens will be foldable smartphones? Sadly, it’s too early to tell.



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