iPhone 17 Pro may shift away from Samsung and LG panels, at least in one country

The line has traditionally been clear: Whilst the two Pro models in Apple's annual iPhone lineup are equipped with displays manufactured by South Korean companies – primarily Samsung, and to a lesser extent LG – the other iPhone variants (such as the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus) sometimes use cheaper LTPS OLED panels produced by Chinese suppliers, particularly the Beijing-based BOE.

In recent years, there have been occasional reports suggesting that BOE might also get a shot at making Apple's more premium ProMotion displays. However, Apple’s stringent quality standards have been a barrier – apparently until now. Citing information from the supply chain, South Korean trade journal DealSite recently revealed that the iPhone 17 series may be the first generation to tentatively adopt BOE’s LTPO OLED panels for its Pro models. For now, this shift appears to be limited to units sold in China.

Mass production of these BOE panels is expected to be green-lit before the end of July. The limited quantity for a country-specific rollout suggests BOE may not yet fully meet Apple’s requirements, but it is reportedly very close. Furthermore, the journal speculates that bringing another display supplier into the mix could be a strategy employed by Apple to pressure its South Korean partners into lowering their component prices – a scenario that isn’t too far-fetched in light of the ongoing tariff challenges. Nevertheless, the majority of displays used in the iPhone 17 series are still likely to come from South Korea, with Samsung and LG projected to supply 70 million and 43 million panels, respectively.