Supply of 2.5 million units by next year
...
According to industry sources on the 27th, Apple is developing a next-generation 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with an OLED display and touch function. It is expected to be released at the end of this year or next year. This will be the first time Apple has applied both OLED and a touchscreen to its MacBooks since launching the MacBook in 2006.
Samsung Display will exclusively supply panels for the model, with an estimated supply volume of about 2.5 million units. LG Display and China's BOE are not considered to be involved.
Initial panel development also appears to have been solely undertaken by Samsung Display. Rather than Apple signing a separate exclusive supply agreement, it seems that Samsung Display's ability to respond to panel specifications and mass production conditions from the development stage led to the formation of an exclusive supply structure.
Initially, Apple required mass production response using large-area substrates. Samsung Display responded with its 8.6-generation OLED line, while LG Display reportedly considered utilizing existing 6-generation lines.
...
LG Display has supplied panels for existing LCD-based MacBooks and MacBook Pros. It also supplies OLEDs for iPad Pro.
...
An industry source said, "Existing 6-generation lines are used to produce OLEDs for smartphones and tablets, making it difficult to respond to the volume of large-area MacBook panels," adding that "entry into the MacBook Pro OLED supply chain will be delayed until at least 2029."
China's BOE is also developing touch OLEDs for notebooks. Whether they are for Apple MacBooks is unconfirmed. The industry believes it will be difficult for them to participate in the next-generation MacBook Pro due to technological maturity and yield issues, with supply attempts expected to begin with the MacBook Air in 2028 or later.
Samsung Display will produce the panels at its 8.6-generation OLED line in Asan, South Chungcheong Province. The panels will feature oxide TFT, tandem stacked emission structure, and in-panel touch technology.
...
The official mass production schedule has not yet been determined. Industry sources suggest that it could be around August.
Source : The Elec (https://www.thelec.kr)
▶ Original source: https://www.thelec.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=60086
