Apple's entire OLED product lineup for the second half of the year is reportedly coming from just two factories. According to a report, Samsung Display and LG Display are sharing all panel contracts – from the iPhone 18 Pro to the Apple Watch. A third manufacturer has been completely ruled out.
For its upcoming 2026 devices, Apple is apparently relying exclusively on South Korean suppliers for its OLED displays. According to a report by ET News, Samsung Display and LG Display have already begun mass production of the panels and are expected to supply every model released in the second half of the year. The focus is on the iPhone 18 Pro with its anticipated display innovations, but the orders extend far beyond the flagship model – to the MacBook Ultra, iPad mini, and a foldable iPhone.
Who supplies which panels
According to the report, the division of contracts is clearly defined. Samsung Display will handle several devices on its own, LG Display has secured the exclusive contract for the Apple Watch Series 12, and both manufacturers will share the top-of-the-line iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max.
| Device | OLED supplier | Estimated panel quantity |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro & 18 Pro Max | Samsung & LG Display | 90 million (total) |
| Apple Watch Series 12 | LG Display | 34 million |
| iPhone Ultra (foldable) | Samsung Display | 10 million |
| iPad mini | Samsung Display | 2 million |
| MacBook Ultra (14″/16″) | Samsung Display | not specified |
According to the report, mass production has already begun for the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, the foldable iPhone Ultra, and the iPad mini. OLED production for the MacBook Ultra is expected to start next month, as soon as Samsung Display's 8.6-inch generation production line begins operation.
Why BOE is left out
It's striking who's missing from this list: the Chinese manufacturer BOE. They were dropped after quality issues disrupted panel deliveries for the iPhone 17 Pro last year. BOE only resumed shipments in April – but according to the report, that wasn't enough to fulfill the OLED orders for the 2026 generation.
LTPO+ for the iPhone, OLED for the MacBook
The report confirms previous information suggesting that the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will use LTPO+ OLED technology. This promises higher energy efficiency and a faster display response time, which should be particularly noticeable in low ambient light.
The MacBook Ultra, rumored to be a new device class, would use OLED from the start: Samsung Display is said to be preparing mass production of the corresponding 14- and 16-inch panels, with around 2 million units this year alone.
A dependency that works in both directions
Apple's reliance on just two companies for its entire OLED supply has a remarkable downside: the South Korean display industry is itself heavily dependent on Apple. According to Samsung Display's 2025 sustainability report, 45.6 percent of its revenue came from the US, where Apple is headquartered. LG Display's quarterly report even cites a single customer, presumably Apple, as accounting for 58.4 percent of its revenue.
This creates a reciprocal relationship: Apple secures reliable panel quality from two proven partners, while these partners focus a large part of their business on a single customer. For Apple, concentrating on Samsung and LG means greater reliability in the short term – but it also reduces the negotiating leverage that would arise from a third supplier like BOE.
What the supply chain reveals about Apple's 2026 plans
A look at the panel orders provides a surprisingly accurate picture of which devices Apple actually plans to release in the second half of the year – and in what quantities. The fact that production is already underway for most models aligns with expectations of a packed fall, in which, in addition to the Pro iPhones, a foldable model and a MacBook Ultra are also expected to take shape for the first time. (Image: Shutterstock / Titolino)
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