Samsung Galaxy S21 now unlikely to use BOE OLEDs due to quality concerns

A few weeks ago, word on the grapevine claimed that Samsung could make the switch from using Samsung Display OLEDs, to using BOE OLEDs on the Galaxy S21 series. New information, however, points towards that now looking unlikely.

Citing Korean sources, leakster Ice Universe has claimed that the Galaxy S21 phones are unlikely to use OLEDs made by BOE. Apparently, the BOE displays were unable to meet Samsung's quality requirements. Ross Young has corroborated the claim, confirming that both BOE and China Star will not be supplying Samsung with hardware for the Galaxy S21 series.

Samsung using BOE displays on its flagship phones would have been a left-field move, in any case. While Samsung Display is independent of Samsung's mobile division, it would have made no sense, as Samsung Display is widely regarded as being the best OLED maker in the world. A cost-cutting measure, in all likelihood.

This does raise a few questions, though, especially pertaining to the quality of BOE's OLEDs. The Chinese company is expected to supply Apple with some displays for the iPhone 12 series, for example. Of course, Apple and Samsung likely don't require the same properties in a display, so it's hard to say.