The iPhone 16 lineup is rumored to launch on schedule in September, despite delays in the Apple Intelligence suite, which may not be available until October. As anticipation builds for the new iPhones, Samsung and LG have commenced mass production of display panels for the upcoming models.
Sources in Korea indicate that Apple has placed orders for 80 million panels from Samsung and 43 million from LG. With estimated iPhone 16 shipments around 90 million units this year, it appears Apple has ordered approximately 30% more panels than necessary, possibly to ensure supply meets demand.
The Korean supply chain has confirmed that both Samsung and LG are producing the panels in accordance with Apple’s order volume. This production surge is expected to boost the performance of both companies in the second half of the year.
The iPhone 16 series, which is expected to be the first to feature Apple Intelligence, is predicted to drive significant upgrades, potentially creating massive demand for these models.
LG is set to benefit significantly, with its supply of display panels increasing by about 10 million units compared to last year, giving it more than 30% of the market share alongside Samsung. Notably, this is the first year LG has managed to stay on schedule with its production, which should further enhance its performance.
In 2022 and 2023, LG’s delays in starting mass production of iPhone OLED panels left Samsung as the sole supplier for the initial volumes at launch. This year, while Samsung’s order volume from Apple has not increased significantly, it has secured a larger share of the panels for the higher-end iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models, which are more expensive. As a result, Samsung’s revenue from Apple orders is expected to grow, with about 60% of its panels destined for the Pro and Pro Max models.
Meanwhile, China’s BOE is reportedly struggling to gain approval as a supplier for the iPhone 16 family and may be excluded from this generation’s production altogether.
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