BOE Could Become Apple’s Leading Display Supplier for MacBooks in 2025

Chinese display giant BOE is on track to score a huge win with Apple, despite recently missing out on the iPhone 17 orders. According to research firm Omdia, BOE is expected to supply 51% of the LCD panels for Apple’s MacBooks in 2025, thanks largely to the strong sales of the MacBook Air.

This leap would make BOE the top supplier, surpassing previous leader LG Display.

The relationship between Apple and BOE has been turbulent. Apple has long been eager to rely more on BOE to reduce its dependency on Samsung and LG, but BOE has struggled to consistently meet Apple’s high-quality standards. When it does meet those standards, Apple benefits with lower manufacturing costs.

For the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup, BOE failed to deliver acceptable LTPO OLED panels, which are required for Apple’s upgraded displays. As a result, Samsung and LG will be the sole display suppliers for this generation. BOE’s technical delays have once again cost it a critical opportunity.

However, BOE did supply panels for the budget-friendly iPhone 16e this year, using repurposed panels from older iPhone models. This indicates that BOE remains a key player for Apple’s lower-cost devices.

That MacBook win might be short-lived, though. Apple is reportedly preparing to switch its MacBook lineup to Tandem OLED panels in 2026. These panels, which promise better brightness and longer lifespan, are technologies that Samsung and LG currently dominate. Unless BOE can catch up fast, it risks losing the MacBook share it just gained.

Still, a potential silver lining remains. Rumors suggest Apple is developing a budget MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. If true, BOE might once again have a shot by supplying older-generation panels for these entry-level models.

Should BOE finally match Samsung and LG in advanced panel tech, it could become a key cost-saving partner for Apple. This would be especially timely, as iPhone 17 prices are expected to rise due to increasing production expenses. BOE stepping up would allow Apple to stabilize pricing-something both companies (and consumers) would love.

But Apple will need to stay cautious. BOE’s history of inconsistency and past missteps means the partnership, while promising, still carries risks.