Katarzyna Petru
In the background of new iPhones, foldable Samsungs, and major premieres, a quiet yet brutal conflict is unfolding that could change the balance of power across the entire display industry. The stakes are billions, access to Apple, and… who will dominate OLEDs for the next decade.
ITC has given the green light – BOE may be out of the USA
A week ago, the Americans (specifically the ITC) determined that BOE and seven "sub-companies" were stealing Samsung's technology. We're talking about OLED processes, which the Koreans have been developing for years – and which BOE allegedly used illegally to catch up with the competition. What does this mean? If the ruling from July comes into effect in November 2025 – BOE will be out of the American market. There will be a ban on importing OLED panels and a halt to the sale of stock. That's the end. And it's not just for BOE – it's also for Apple. Because as much as 20% of the panels in the iPhone 16 come from the Chinese. Without them, they'll have to return to Samsung and LG. More expensive? Definitely. Smoothly? Rather not.
How did it happen?
It started innocently. BOE was pumping billions into OLED development from 2017 to 2019. First Huawei, then other Chinese brands, and finally – after several failures – Apple. First spare parts, then new models. And then Samsung felt threatened. 2023: lawsuit to the ITC. 2025: BOE gets partially reprimanded, but without consequences. Only now has a real decision been made – BOE has broken the law. Samsung does its part: in addition to the ITC, it launches a patent offensive in courts. BOE does not wait – it counterattacks with lawsuits in Texas. In May and July, it targets key Galaxy technologies and demands... a sales ban on Fold devices and the S25 series in the USA. Exactly the same thing that threatens BOE.
How did it come to this?
It started innocently. BOE was pumping billions into OLED development from 2017 to 2019. First Huawei, then other Chinese brands, and finally – after several failures – Apple. Initially spare parts, then new models. And that’s when Samsung felt threatened. 2023: a lawsuit filed with the ITC. 2025: BOE gets partially slapped on the wrist but without consequences. Only now is a real decision made – BOE has broken the law. Samsung does its part: alongside the ITC, it launches a patent offensive in the courts. BOE doesn’t wait – it counterattacks with lawsuits in Texas. In May and July, it targets key Galaxy technologies and demands… a sales ban on Fold devices and the S25 series in the USA. In other words, precisely the same thing that threatens BOE.
What next? Scenarios on the table
Scenario | What about OLEDs in the iPhone? | Money and costs | Who gains, who loses |
|---|---|---|---|
Samsung wins ITC | BOE drops out, Samsung and LG take over the market | Panel prices up | Samsung >70% market share |
BOE wins in Texas | Samsung may face a ban on Galaxy in the USA | Forced settlement, BOE remains | BOE 20–25%, still a supplier for Apple |
Settlement / licenses | Both sides still in the game | Costs stable, fees in the background | Samsung ~60%, BOE ~25%, LG ~15% |
November = the moment of truth
The ITC decision in November is a turning point. If BOE loses – it can forget about Apple in the USA. If Samsung gets reprimanded in Texas – it will have to settle.
For the industry, this is more than just a dispute between two giants. It is a test of who rules in the OLED era. And who will set the terms for future iPhones, Galaxy Folds, and the entire premium display market.
