Apple might be dodging a major bullet in the U.S. 
as a trade dispute unfolds between Samsung and Chinese display maker BOE. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has ruled in favor of Samsung, stating that BOE unlawfully used Samsung’s OLED technology. This decision could have triggered a ban on products using those screens, including Apple’s iPhones-since Apple sources displays from BOE.
However, there’s a catch. The ruling may only affect certain OLED panels, and not the ones BOE supplies for iPhones. That technicality might be Apple’s saving grace, allowing the company to continue selling its phones in the U.S. without disruption-for now.
This situation mirrors a previous ITC ruling that blocked U.S. Apple Watch sales due to patent infringement over its blood oxygen sensor tech. Back then, Apple had to strip the feature from U.S. models already in circulation.
Samsung’s legal win highlights growing tension in the display industry, especially as Chinese firms like BOE try to edge into the high-end OLED market. While it’s possible that BOE cloned Samsung’s manufacturing techniques, Apple likely anticipated potential legal fallout and maintained backup supply lines.
If the ITC’s decision escalates to a full ban on BOE’s displays, Apple can fall back on Samsung and other suppliers by boosting orders elsewhere. For now, iPhone sales in the U.S. remain safe, but the case isn’t fully closed-future decisions could still shake things up.