The latest revelations of iPhone SE 4: it will use a domestic screen, or it will be released next year
South Korean media ZDNet Korea reported that Samsung and Apple "collapsed" talks, so Samsung will not produce displays for the iPhone SE 4, while Chinese manufacturer BOE became the supplier of the iPhone SE 4 screen in the middle of the month.
A preview render of the iPhone SE 4 (Source: AppleTrack)
Three compete, BOE "has the last laugh"
It is reported that the iPhone SE 4 was initially contested by Samsung, BOE, and another Chinese manufacturer, Tianma Microelectronics, for the contract of screen manufacturing.
The iPhone SE 4 is rumored to feature a 6.1-inch OLED display on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models.
As the main screen supplier for the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14, and also has an inventory of iPhone 14 OLED screens, Samsung was originally very competitive and very advantageous. However, they and Apple were reportedly unable to agree on a price.
Apple's offer for the iPhone SE 4 screen is $25, while Samsung's previous offer was $30. However, it is reported that the offer of the two Chinese companies is around $35 to $40.
People familiar with the matter said that due to the low profit margin, Samsung did not invest much in the deal in the first place, so when Apple "bargained", Samsung directly ended the negotiations. This may also mean that Samsung will focus more on the production of high-end iPhone screens in the future to make more profits.
After Samsung withdrew from the competition, although Tianma was very willing to enter Apple's supply chain, it was said that it failed to meet Apple's quality requirements, and BOE became the final winner.
Some sources indicate that BOE will be the exclusive supplier of the iPhone SE 4 screen, but there are also sources that BOE will get most of the orders, but not all of them. Apple also doesn't usually choose just one supplier for reasons of risk reduction and price negotiation.
BOE has previously supplied screens for iPhone models such as iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, etc., but none of them are major suppliers.
According to reports, BOE had a serious light leakage problem in the early stage of producing the iPhone 15 screen, with a yield rate of only 30%, resulting in it being able to only add the supply of later batches, and it is expected to ship 2 million in 2023.
BOE's initial iPhone 15 screen had a light leakage problem at the "Dynamic Island" position
Since the iPhone SE 4 is not Apple's flagship product, and BOE has also supplied the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 with similar screens, 9to5Mac analyzed that Apple will be happy to work with BOE to produce most of the iPhone SE 4's screen, even if BOE may not be stable in the process of mass production.
It is worth mentioning that Apple CEO Tim During a recent visit to China, Tim Cook said that China is the most important for Apple's supply chain, and said that he was "happy to return to China" and would continue to invest in the Chinese market.
The iPhone SE 4 could be released next year
The iPhone SE 4 is perhaps one of Apple's most rumored models. Since the end of 2022, this model has repeatedly jumped between "canceled" and "not canceled", and the design language has evolved from the original iPhone XR to the iPhone 13 Mini, and then to the current iPhone 14.
With the release of the suspected renders, we can finally be sure that this model does exist, and it does get rid of the home button of the previous three generations, and the front is more similar to the iPhone 13/14 overall, with a 6.1-inch display.
iPhone SE 4 渲染图(图源:91mobiles)
However, according to the renders, the iPhone SE 4 will have a single rear camera. There are also rumors that the affordable model will come with an Action Button and USB-C port, as well as an iPhone 14's battery.
If the renders are to be believed, then the iPhone SE 4 will break the tradition of the iPhone SE series "replicating" the overall shape of previous models, with a new design and mold.
The iPhone SE 4 is also rumored to be equipped with Apple's self-developed 5G baseband in 2023, but Apple has reportedly postponed plans to develop its own baseband, which has also led to a "cancellation" rumor of the iPhone SE 4.
At present, Apple and Qualcomm's baseband chip authorization has been extended until 2027, which indicates that the iPhone SE 4 should still be equipped with Qualcomm baseband.
The latest forecasts state that the device will be launched in 2025. The previous generation iPhone SE was launched in 2022.