Apple display supplier could lose out on large iPhone 14 order after it was reportedly caught cutting corners

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

According to a report, Beijing Oriental Electronics could lose out on 30 million display orders for the upcoming iPhone 14 because it altered the design of the display to increase yield rate or the production of non-defective products.

The short-lived deal that Apple had with BOE to make the iPhone 13 displays ended earlier this month when Apple caught the company cutting corners on its displays. According to sources close to the situation, the circuit width of the iPhone 13 was changed without Apple's knowledge. Did they think Apple wouldn't notice?

Apple may take the company off the job of making the display for the iPhone 14 as well, which could haunt BOE. According to The Elec, an executive from the BOE was sent to Apple's headquarters to explain the situation. The Elec says that production of the display for the new Apple device could start as soon as next month.

The Elec expects Apple to split the 30 million display order between the two primary display providers. The 6.1 and 6.7-inch displays will likely be produced by SAMSUNG, while the 6.7-inch display will be produced by LUNG.

According to MacRumors, BOE used to only make screens for refurbished phones. The company was hired by Apple to provide displays for the new iPhone 12 in 2020, but its first batches of panels did not pass Apple's rigorous quality control tests. The display driver chip shortage has affected the output of BOE.