Some iPhones May Be Banned in the US Due to Display Tech Theft
Hold on to your iPhones, folks, because there's some serious drama brewing in the tech world! It looks like certain iPhone 15, 16, and even 17 models could be facing a ban in the United States. Why, you ask? Well, it all boils down to a preliminary ruling that Chinese display maker BOE allegedly infringed on Samsung's OLED trade secrets.
Think of it like this: imagine someone stealing your secret recipe and selling it as their own. That's essentially what Samsung claims BOE did with their OLED technology. The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) seems to agree, finding that BOE and several of its subsidiaries violated U.S. law by using Samsung's confidential information.
The potential consequences are pretty significant. The ITC is recommending a ban on importing the offending OLED panels and modules into the US. They also want BOE to stop selling any existing stock or shipping future supplies to American assemblers. It's a double whammy!
Now, here's where it gets interesting for us iPhone users. Apparently, some existing iPhone 15 and 16 models already on sale in the US use displays made by BOE. So, if this ruling sticks, Apple might have to scramble to reroute those iPhones to other countries and make sure that the iPhones sold in the US only use screens from other suppliers.
It isn't clear yet if the iPhone 17 will be affected, but BOE is pushing hard to get its OLED displays into future iPhone models. While they currently only supply Apple with displays that *don't* use the fancier LTPO technology (which allows for variable refresh rates like "ProMotion"), they're aiming to change that. I've heard that Apple might restrict some BOE-equipped iPhone 17 Pro models to China due to performance issues.
Samsung initially filed a complaint back in October 2023, accusing BOE of stealing its OLED manufacturing secrets. They even took things a step further by filing a lawsuit in Texas, seeking compensation for lost profits and other damages.
If Apple *does* have to ditch BOE as a supplier for US iPhones, it's likely that Samsung and LG will pick up the slack. They already provide OLED panels for many iPhone models, so it wouldn't be a huge leap.
The final decision on this whole mess is expected in November 2025. Then, the President of the United States will have 60 days to either approve or reject the ITC's ruling. It's a long and complicated process, but it could have a big impact on the iPhones we see on store shelves in the coming years. This situation shows how crucial it is to protect intellectual property and maintain fair competition.
Source: Mac Rumors