Apple iPhone SE 4: Samsung reportedly refusing to supply displays because prices are too low

According to leaked CAD images, the fourth-generation Apple iPhone SE will largely adopt the design of the iPhone 14. Only the camera module will be significantly smaller, as the device only has a single rear camera. The display is also said to be almost identical to that of the iPhone 14, meaning that Apple will install a 6.1-inch LTPS OLED panel with a resolution of 2532 x 1170 and a frame rate of just 60 Hz.

According to the latest information from ITHome, Apple is planning a launch in 2025 and is expected to produce up to 15 million units at launch. This immense production volume will make the iPhone SE 4 potentially immensely profitable for suppliers, but Samsung Display is now reported to have withdrawn from negotiations after Apple rejected the offer of $30 per panel. The US tech giant only wants to pay $25 per display and is therefore said to be switching to Chinese manufacturers such as BOE for production.

For comparison, the display of the iPhone 15 Pro Max cost Apple $115 at launch and was also supplied by Samsung Display. Alongside processors and cameras, displays are traditionally among the most expensive components of a smartphone, so it is hardly surprising that Apple is aiming to save money in these areas on the cheapest iPhone. The fourth-generation iPhone SE is set to combine the iPhone 14's housing and Face ID with a single 48 MP camera on the back and a more modern processor.