Highlights
- Samsung opts out of iPhone SE 4 display deal over price disagreements.
- BOE set to manufacture displays for the 2025 iPhone SE 4 model.
- iPhone SE 4 to adopt an all-screen design, ditching the Home button.
- Design to repurpose iPhone 13 display technology, cutting costs.
In a significant turn of events in the tech supply chain, reports have emerged suggesting that the much-anticipated iPhone SE 4, set for a 2025 release, will not feature displays made by Samsung.
Instead, it appears that China’s BOE Technology Group has emerged as the leading candidate to manufacture the screens for Apple’s next iteration of its entry-level iPhone.
Samsung Display’s Falling Out With Apple
Samsung, a long-standing collaborator with Apple in screen manufacturing, reportedly stepped away from negotiations due to disagreements over pricing.
Sources indicate that Apple proposed a price of $25 per display unit, a figure that fell short of Samsung’s expectation of $30 per unit.
This disagreement has led to BOE stepping into the limelight as the potential supplier for the iPhone SE 4 displays.
The iPhone SE 4 is rumoured to be undergoing a major design overhaul.
Apple plans to eliminate the traditional Home button, aligning the model with the current all-screen design trend.
This design update is speculated to include the use of display technology from the iPhone 13, mirroring the screen used in the iPhone 14, which represents a strategic move by Apple to repurpose existing technology to minimize costs.
BOE Leading Contender for iPhone SE 4 Display
The competition for the contract was not limited to Samsung and BOE; Tianma, another Chinese display manufacturer, was also in the running.
However, it failed to meet Apple’s stringent quality standards, leaving BOE as the primary candidate.
This shift to BOE, while economically sensible for Apple, introduces new challenges.
Samsung’s extensive experience in producing displays for previous iPhone models ensured high production yields from the outset, a benchmark BOE will be expected to meet despite the potential for initial production hiccups.
The transition from Samsung to BOE marks a significant change in Apple’s supply chain strategy, giving a glimpse of the intricate dynamics of price negotiations and quality assurance in the tech industry.
Apple iPhone SE 4 Specs
GENERAL
| Sim Type | Dual Sim, GSM+GSM |
| Dual Sim | Yes |
| Sim Size | Nano+eSIM |
| Device Type | Smartphone |
| Release Date | March 8, 2024 (Expected) |
DISPLAY
| Type | Color OLED Screen (16M Colors) |
| Touch | Yes |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 750 x 1580 pixels |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| PPI | ~ 441 PPI |
| Screen to Body Ratio | ~ 65.4% |
| Features | 1,400:1 Contrast Ratio (typical), True Tone Display, Wide Colour Display (P3), Haptic Touch, 625 nits Max Brightness |
MEMORY
| Storage | 64 GB |
| Card Slot | No |
CONNECTIVITY
| GPRS | Yes |
| EDGE | Yes |
| 3G | Yes |
| 4G | Yes |
| 5G | Yes |
| VoLTE | Yes |
| Wifi | Yes, with wifi-hotspot |
| Bluetooth | Yes, v5.3, A2DP, LE |
| USB | Yes, Lightning Port |
| USB Features | USB Charging |
EXTRA
| GPS | Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BEIDOU |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Yes, Front |
| Face Unlock | Yes |
| Sensors | Barometer, Three Axis Gyro, Accelerometer, Proximity Sensor, Ambient Light Sensor |
| 3.5mm Headphone Jack | Lightning |
| NFC | Yes |
| Water Resistance | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Dust Resistant | Yes |
CAMERA
| Rear Camera | 12 MP f/1.8 with autofocus |
| Features | Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 4, Photographic Styles, Advanced Red-eye Correction, Auto Image Stabilisation, Burst Mode, Photo Geotagging |
| Video Recording | 4K, 1080p |
| Flash | Yes, LED |
| Front Camera | 10.8 MP f/2.2 with Retina Flash |
| Front Video Recording | 1080p @ 30 fps FHD |
TECHNICAL
| OS | iOS v16 |
| Chipset | Apple Bionic A15 |
| CPU | 3.22 GHz, Hexa Core Processor |
| Core Details | 2×3.22 GHz Avalanche + 4xX.X GHz Blizzard |
| GPU | Apple GPU |
| Java | No |
| Browser | Yes |
MULTIMEDIA
| Yes | |
| Music | AAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus |
| Video | HEVC, H.264 and ProRes |
| FM Radio | No |
| Document Reader | Yes |
BATTERY
| Type | Non-Removable Battery |
| Size | Li-ion Battery |
| Fast Charging | Yes, 18W Fast Charging |
| Wireless Charging | Yes, Works with Qi Chargers |
| Music Playback Time | 50 hours |
FAQs
Why is Samsung not manufacturing the iPhone SE 4 display?
Samsung and Apple could not agree on the cost per display unit for the upcoming iPhone SE 4, leading to Samsung withdrawing from the deal. Apple proposed a price that was lower than Samsung’s minimum offer, prompting the search for a new supplier.
Who will manufacture the iPhone SE 4 display?
Following Samsung’s exit from the negotiations, Chinese display maker BOE has emerged as the leading contender to supply the displays for the iPhone SE 4. This marks a significant shift in Apple’s supply chain for its entry-level iPhone.
What changes can we expect in the iPhone SE 4 design?
The iPhone SE 4 is expected to undergo a major redesign, moving to an all-screen format and eliminating the Home button. This design approach aligns with the current trend of screen designs in smartphones and will repurpose the display technology used in the iPhone 13.
How does Apple plan to manage costs for the iPhone SE 4?
Apple aims to manage production costs for the iPhone SE 4 by reusing technology from older iPhone models, such as the iPhone 13’s display technology. This strategy reduces the need for new R&D expenses, enabling Apple to maintain cost-effectiveness.
Also Read: iPhone SE 4 Redesign Rumours Point to an iPhone 14-like Look
Also Read: iPhone SE 4 Set to Sport OLED Display, Eyeing iPhone 13’s Screen Technology
Also Read: iPhone SE 4 CAD Renders Show the Device Featuring a Notched Display and Modern Design