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After a series of contradicting reports, Apple’s next-gen Special Edition (SE) mid-range iPhone is starting to take shape. Allegedly called the iPhone SE 4, the device will reportedly arrive in early 2025 featuring an OLED display. Samsung and BOE are vying to provide Apple with the display panel for the phone. Tianma is also trying to become a third, minority supplier of iPhone SE 4 displays.
iPhone SE 4 is in development with an OLED display
Apple‘s last SE phone came in March 2022. Over the past two years, the rumor mill churned out a lot of reports about a succeeding model. At a point, the device looked dead. However, based on recent reports, the iPhone SE 4 exists in the company’s pipeline. In fact, Apple is already in an advanced stage of its development and is in the process of finalizing its component suppliers.
According to a recent report from the Korean news outlet The Elec, Apple will finally upgrade its SE phones from an LCD to an OLED display (the iPhone X in 2017 was the first iPhone with an OLED panel). Rumors about the iPhone SE 4 getting an OLED panel aren’t new, but this report may be a confirmation. It goes on to add that Samsung Display, BOE, and Tianma have all proposed to make the OLED display.
Samsung offered the lowest price of around $30. BOE offered a price of around $35, while Tianma is willing to make the display at $40. Apple has countered with a price in the mid-$20. If you remember, the firm wasn’t happy with BOE’s display quality for the iPhone 15 series. However, the Chinese company is a reliable supplier of iPhone 14 displays. Since the iPhone SE 4 uses the iPhone 14 as its base, there may not be quality issues anymore.
Tianma, meanwhile, is a relatively unpopular display firm from China. It is hoping to secure at least a small portion of iPhone 4 SE display orders from Apple. Diversifying the supply chain helps companies bring down costs, so Apple might be tempted to go with Tianma. That’s if the Chinese firm lowers its prices and manages to impress the iPhone maker with its technology and display quality.
Samsung has the advantage of being an existing major supplier
The prices quoted by the three display firms are significantly lower than what it costs Apple for iPhone 15 displays ($80-$120). This is because the iPhone SE 4 will feature the same 6.1-inch OLED panel found on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14. The companies have already manufactured the display before. They don’t have to redo all of the development work, thus reducing the overall manufacturing cost.
Samsung also has the advantage of being an existing major supplier of iPhone OLEDs. It will produce displays for eight iPhone models this year—four iPhone 15 models and four iPhone 16 models. As such, the company has room to lower its price for the iPhone SE 4 OLED. If it does come down to Apple’s price, BOE may struggle to match the offer. Apple may take its time before finalizing the display suppliers for its next SE phone.