Apple may soon be barred from selling iPhones with BOE displays in the US, thanks to a preliminary ruling from the US International Trade Commission (ITC).
The commission determined that Chinese display manufacturer BOE misappropriated OLED technology developed by Samsung Display. This led to two separate orders: a limited exclusion order blocking iPhone imports with BOE panels and a cease and desist order halting sales and distribution of existing stock.
While the final ITC ruling is expected in November, experts note that such preliminary decisions are rarely reversed. Even then, there remains a two-month window where the US President-currently Trump-could veto the ruling. Given his past business ties with Chinese manufacturing, this adds a layer of political irony to the situation.
Apple sources its iPhone screens from a mix of suppliers: Samsung, LG, and BOE. BOE panels are mostly used in non-ProMotion ‘vanilla’ models, such as the iPhone 16e. However, recent reports suggest that Apple has approved BOE’s OLEDs for the iPhone 17 Pro models exclusive to China-outside the jurisdiction of the ITC ruling.
This development has significant ripple effects. Apple may reshuffle its supplier quotas, leaning more heavily on Samsung and LG for the US market while reserving BOE for China. Meanwhile, Samsung Display is not stopping at the ITC. It has also sued BOE in a Texas federal court, seeking damages for lost revenue and punitive fines due to alleged IP theft.
Interestingly, the upcoming foldable iPhone models won’t be affected, as they will rely solely on Samsung Display panels, steering clear of the current controversy.
Though BOE is one of the largest OLED producers globally, it’s now under pressure in the US market. The entire episode highlights the complex web of global supply chains, legal battles, and the blurred lines between competition and corporate espionage.