Key Points:
- Apple authorizes mass production for most iPhone 16 displays, but Pro Max screens lag.
- Samsung, LG, and BOE share production responsibilities for various iPhone 16 models.
- Pro Max display challenges are likely due to new ultra-thin bezel technology.
Apple has greenlit the mass production of OLED screens for its iPhone 16 series, although the Pro Max model remains a sticking point. This development comes after Samsung Display and LG Display received approvals for their respective roles in producing screens for the upcoming iPhone 16 Pro models. The Elec, a Korean news outlet, reports that both suppliers were given the go-ahead earlier this month.
Samsung Display is tasked with supplying OLED screens for all four iPhone 16 models, while LG Display will focus exclusively on the Pro variants. Additionally, BOE is slated to contribute to the OLED displays for the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models.
This marks a significant milestone for LG Display, which has historically faced challenges in meeting Apple’s production timelines. Last year, LG received approval for the iPhone 15 Pro OLED screens months after Samsung, allowing the latter to dominate the market.
The approval for the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s OLED screens is anticipated by the end of the month for Samsung and mid-June for LG. Apple is reportedly not yet satisfied with the test production of the Pro Max displays, potentially due to the implementation of the new Border Reduction Structure (BRS) technology. This advanced tech aims to reduce bezel thickness but has posed overheating challenges for the suppliers.
Despite these hurdles, the entire iPhone 16 lineup is expected to launch this fall, showcasing minimal differences from the iPhone 15 Pro models, with slightly thinner bezels being a notable enhancement.
