Already using BOE to supply Galaxy Book S displays, Samsung to tap them for Galaxy S21 OLEDs too

Samsung’s Galaxy Book S yielded a surprise when we learnt that it uses a BOE-sourced TFT LCD display with AFFS technology instead of a panel from the company itself. Afterall, Samsung is one of the world’s leading display makers manufacturing everything from regular LCD panels to QLED panels and OLED panels. It looks, however, as though it is going to tap BOE to supply OLED panels for some of its smartphones as well – it’s not completely baffling when you consider Samsung also supplies displays to other smartphone OEM’s as well.

According to a new report from Korean market research firm DSCC, Samsung could use a BOE panel on at least one variant of next year’s Galaxy S21. This display is tipped to be 6.67-inches which would likely make it the Galaxy S21+ model and it is also expected to be flexible meaning a curved display will also feature on that device as in previous years. Another 6.67-inch OLED panel, but this time with a lower spec Full HD+ resolution, is set for the Galaxy A91.

Another interesting twist in the Samsung and BOE relationship is that rumors are pointing to Apple ditching Samsung for the OLED panels in the iPhone 12 Pro models in favor of BOE. Apple and Samsung are frenemies at the best of times and Apple has always tried to steer towards other suppliers if it can. As for Samsung using BOE instead of its own panels, the only obvious explanation is that it is selling its own panels to other makers at a better price and is able to acquire BOE’s panels comparatively cheaply.