China’s Domestic Display Breakthrough: How BOE and Visionox Are Entering the Apple & Huawei Supply Chains

Introduction

Just a decade ago, if you mentioned high-end smartphone displays, all eyes would turn to South Korea. Names like Samsung Display and LG Display dominated the conversation, supplying cutting-edge OLED and LCD panels to nearly every major smartphone brand. Fast forward to today, and China’s domestic screen giants — especially BOE and Visionox — are making serious moves, not only at home but globally. From leading tech brands like Huawei to the notoriously selective Apple, Chinese panel makers are rewriting the rules of the game.

So, how did this seismic shift happen? And what makes BOE and Visionox credible competitors in this high-stakes tech race? Let’s dive into it.

Overview of Mainstream Smartphone Display Panel Suppliers

Samsung Display

Samsung Display is the undisputed king in the OLED world. With unmatched expertise in flexible OLED technology and an early-mover advantage, Samsung supplies displays for its own Galaxy lineup and other major brands like Apple, Xiaomi, and Vivo.

Tech Strengths: OLED, flexible OLED, AMOLED
Market Share (2024): ~40% of the global OLED smartphone panel market
Key Clients: Apple, Samsung Electronics, Vivo, Xiaomi

LG Display

LG Display specializes in large-scale OLED panels for TVs but also has a significant presence in the smartphone market. Though slightly behind Samsung in flexible OLED for phones, it remains a critical player.

Core Competencies: OLED for large displays, mobile P-OLED
Market Position: Leader in large OLED, niche in smartphones
Major Partnerships: Apple (secondary OLED supplier), Google

BOE Technology Group

Once considered an underdog, BOE has skyrocketed with aggressive R&D and high production capacity. Its OLED technology has matured impressively, closing the gap with Korean giants.

Innovations: Flexible OLED, foldable screens
Market Presence: China’s #1, global top 3 for OLED panels
Key Customers: Huawei, Honor, Apple (selected iPhone models)

CSOT (China Star Optoelectronics Technology)

A subsidiary of TCL, CSOT has rapidly expanded in the LCD and OLED markets, especially for mid-range and foldable devices.

Technology Highlights: OLED, LTPS LCD, foldable displays
Domestic & International Market: Supplies to TCL, Xiaomi, and Samsung (for some low-mid range panels)

Tianma Microelectronics

While relatively small in market share, Tianma focuses on niche markets like automotive displays and mid-range smartphone panels.

Focus Areas: LCD, AMOLED for wearables and smartphones
Market Contribution: Leading in industrial displays, growing in mobile

Visionox

A rising star, Visionox made headlines with its advanced flexible OLED displays, gaining orders from Huawei and Honor.

Emerging Technologies: Under-display cameras, foldable OLED
Growth Trajectory: Aggressive expansion, new factories in Hebei and Anhui

The Technology Race: How Each Brand Stands Out

OLED vs LCD

OLED has all but replaced LCD in flagship phones, thanks to better contrast, thinner form factors, and lower power consumption. Samsung still leads in premium OLED, but BOE, CSOT, and Visionox have rapidly narrowed the gap.

Flexible and Foldable Displays

Foldables are the next big thing. Samsung pioneered it, but BOE supplies panels for Huawei’s Mate X series, and Visionox developed under-display camera tech used by Xiaomi. CSOT is also competing in this emerging niche.

Global Smartphone Brands’ Screen Procurement Strategies

Apple’s Strict Display Supplier Criteria

Apple is known for its tough supplier evaluation process, focused on:

Performance: Brightness, color accuracy, power efficiency
Yield Rate: High-volume, defect-free production
Supply Stability: Reliable delivery for millions of units

BOE was initially rejected but persisted, eventually winning orders for select iPhone models.

Huawei’s Balanced Domestic and International Sourcing

Post-US sanctions, Huawei prioritized Chinese suppliers like BOE and Visionox while maintaining limited Samsung partnerships. This dual strategy ensures innovation while reducing geopolitical risk.

How BOE and Visionox Cracked the Supply Chain

BOE’s Persistent R&D Investment

BOE poured billions into OLED research and built massive production lines in Chengdu and Mianyang. Iterative improvements and collaboration with domestic phone brands prepared it for Apple’s rigorous audits.

Visionox’s Niche Innovations in Flexible Displays

Visionox focused on flexible, curved-edge, and under-display camera screens. Its agility and willingness to customize earned it Huawei’s foldable phone projects.

Local Manufacturing Advantage

Having production lines in China offers cost, logistics, and policy incentives, especially crucial during COVID-19 and rising trade tensions.

Market Share Dynamics in 2024

As of early 2024:

Samsung Display: 40% (OLED smartphone panels)
BOE: 23%
CSOT: 12%
Visionox: 6%

Chinese brands collectively hold over 45% of the market, a major leap from just 10% in 2016.

Challenges for Chinese Panel Makers

Despite growth, hurdles remain:

Technical Barriers: Lifetime and burn-in issues in OLED
Client Approval Hurdles: Apple’s strict quality benchmarks
Brand Perception: Premium market trust takes time

Opportunities on the Horizon

The future is bright:

EV Displays: Expanding into smart dashboards
Wearables: Ultra-small, curved OLED panels
Next-gen Foldables: Rollable, stretchable screens in R&D

Conclusion

China’s domestic screen giants aren’t just catching up — they’re redefining the display landscape. BOE and Visionox’s entry into Apple and Huawei’s supply chains signals a turning point in global tech manufacturing. While challenges remain, their rapid innovation and strategic resilience ensure China will be a long-term heavyweight in the display industry.

FAQs

Q1: Why is OLED preferred over LCD in smartphones?
OLED offers better contrast, thinner designs, and energy efficiency — ideal for flagship devices.

Q2: Which smartphone brands does BOE supply displays to?
BOE provides panels to Huawei, Honor, Apple (select iPhone models), and Oppo.

Q3: How did Visionox grow so quickly in the display market?
By specializing in flexible and under-display camera OLED panels and securing major contracts with Huawei and Xiaomi.

Q4: What makes Apple’s supplier criteria so strict?
Apple demands flawless quality, high yield rates, and consistent large-scale production capabilities.

Q5: What’s next for China’s screen makers beyond smartphones?
Opportunities lie in EV dashboards, smartwatches, AR/VR devices, and rollable or stretchable screens.

Loly

Hi, I’m Loly, the funder of MoPhoneParts.com, I’ve been running a factory in China that makes Mobile Phone Parts for 8 years now, and the purpose of this article is to share with you the knowledge related to cellphone parts from a Chinese supplier’s perspective.