Hey folks, there's some buzz going around about Apple making a tweak to their budget-friendly iPhone SE. According to a report from The Elec, Apple is thinking about giving the SE a shiny new OLED display by the year 2025. Right now, the SE is hanging on to the older LCD technology, making it the only iPhone in the lineup still rocking that. If this happens, it'll bring the SE in line with the fancier iPhones that Apple has.
So, what's the big deal with OLED? Well, it means brighter colors, deeper blacks, and an all-around better picture quality compared to the old LCDs. But here's the kicker: Apple is all about keeping costs in check for the iPhone SE 4. Two big shots in the display game, Samsung and BOE, are apparently in a showdown to be the supplier of these new screens.
Even though OLED displays usually cost a bit more to make, Apple might keep the SE wallet-friendly because these two heavyweights are fighting tooth and nail to win Apple's business. Word on the street is that Samsung, with the sweetest deal, might bag most of the orders.
Now, let's talk numbers. Samsung and BOE are tossing quotes ranging from $30 to $40 for the low-cost model. Samsung is reportedly the budget champion here, throwing down $30 per unit, while BOE's limit is $35. On the other end of the spectrum, Tienma, a Chinese display whiz, is asking for a bit more at $40.
Considering Samsung's track record with Apple and the tempting price they're offering, it's looking like they'll snag the top spot, followed by BOE. The prices they're throwing out for these OLED panels are about a third less than what's used in the iPhone 15. That means Apple can make a nice profit on each iPhone SE 4 sold.
But wait, there's more negotiation to be done. Apple hasn't locked in a production partner yet and is apparently on the hunt for even cheaper prices in the mid-20s range.
As for when this snazzy iPhone SE 4 will hit the scene, no one knows for sure. Rumor has it we might be looking at a 2025 release. So, keep your eyes peeled for more updates on the budget-friendly iPhone with a potentially fancy new screen!