Amid rising tensions between display makers, a recent case in the United States has raised concerns over whether iPhones using Chinese-made screens could face trouble in the US market. But Apple has stepped forward to clarify that its products are not part of the dispute and will not be impacted in any way.
This comes after the US International Trade Commission (ITC) gave a preliminary ruling in a case involving Chinese display manufacturer BOE. The company, which has been supplying OLED panels for iPhones since 2021, has been accused of using Samsung’s trade secrets related to display technology. The ITC has reportedly found merit in Samsung’s complaint and has proposed restrictions on BOE.
According to the ITC, BOE and its associated firms violated US trade rules by importing or planning to sell OLED display parts in the US that were allegedly based on confidential Samsung tech. The Commission has suggested banning BOE from shipping these panels to the US and also stopping them from selling any leftover stock within the country.
Given that BOE is one of the suppliers of Apple’s iPhones (alongside Samsung and LG), some reports suggest this could affect Apple’s recent and upcoming models, including the iPhone 15, iPhone 16, and possibly even the iPhone 17. However, Apple has issued a clear statement dismissing any such link.
“Apple is not a party to this case, and the order has no impact on any Apple products,” the company informed 9To5Mac, addressing speculation that the ITC order could lead to a ban on certain iPhones.
It is also important to note that the ruling is not final yet. The ITC’s decision is currently at a preliminary stage, and a final verdict is expected later in the year. Once that happens, the US President will have a 60-day window to either approve or reject the ruling.
Interestingly, reports suggest that BOE has been approved by Apple to supply LTPO OLED panels for Chinese versions of the iPhone 17 Pro series. But these displays reportedly didn’t meet Apple’s standards for a global rollout. If any changes happen in Apple’s supplier strategy going forward, they’re likely to be business decisions based on product performance and not because of this legal case.
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