Samsung is considering using Chinese OLED displays from BOE for its flagship Galaxy phones to reduce costs, despite traditionally using its own high-quality displays, as part of a strategy to cut manufacturing expenses and diversify suppliers after settling a patent dispute with BOE.
The IMF and Bank of England warn that the rapid growth of AI could lead to an abrupt correction in the stock market, highlighting potential risks associated with the AI boom.
The Bank of England prefers tokenized bank deposits over stablecoins to maintain financial stability, citing risks of crime and systemic disruption, and questions the need for a digital pound, contrasting with the US and Europe's approaches to digital currencies.
BOE has filed a lawsuit against Samsung Display in the US, accusing Samsung of infringing on four of its patents related to OLED display technology used in the Galaxy Z Fold series, as a countermeasure to Samsung's earlier lawsuit alleging trade secret theft and employee poaching. The legal battle is expected to take years, likely not affecting the sales of Galaxy Z Fold devices in the near term.
BOE is set to supply the majority, if not all, of the 6.1-inch OLED panels for the upcoming iPhone SE 4, as Samsung reportedly withdrew from the deal due to Apple's low pricing. With a unit cost of $25, lower than what Samsung or Chinese makers are asking, BOE is likely to secure all orders for the displays, while Samsung's decision was influenced by low margins and Apple's request for an even lower price per unit.
Samsung declined to manufacture displays for the 2025 iPhone SE 4 due to price disagreements with Apple, leading to China's BOE being awarded the sole contract. The decision introduces some risk, as Samsung's production line challenges had been ironed out, but Apple generally prefers multiple suppliers for reduced risk and negotiating power. Despite this, both companies are likely content with the outcome, as Apple seeks to minimize costs and Samsung prioritizes strong revenue streams from flagship iPhone displays.
Apple supplier BOE is likely to provide the OLED panels for the upcoming 6.1-inch iPhone SE 4, as Samsung Display has reportedly withdrawn from negotiations due to pricing issues. BOE and Tianma have been in discussions with Apple, but Tianma has not yet met Apple's quality requirements, leaving BOE in pole position to win the majority, if not all, of the orders. The iPhone SE 4 is rumored to feature a design similar to the iPhone 14, with a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, USB-C port, and an all-screen look. Despite the upgrades, the iPhone SE 4 may face faster depreciation than Apple's higher-end models.
The race for peak display brightness is heating up as the OnePlus 12, Oppo Find X7 Ultra, and Realme GT5 Pro tout ultrabright 4500-nit screens, setting a new standard in smartphone display technology. These advancements are made possible through collaboration with BOE and the use of LTPO 4.0 technology, offering high peak brightness, granular refresh rates, and superior HDR performance. While the 4500-nit claim may be achieved under specific lab conditions, the higher peak brightness contributes to better outdoor visibility and marks a high-quality modern LTPO panel, signaling a new frontier in smartphone display competition.
BOE showcased a 45-inch 8K smart cockpit screen at CES 2024, which integrates the driver panel, central control, and passenger panel into a single display, debuting in the Geely Galaxy E8 electric sedan. The screen offers near-retina level display with 8K resolution, touch integration, reduced weight and thickness, and operates independently in sections. Additionally, BOE unveiled a 45-inch 9K Oxide Mini LED in-vehicle one-piece screen with increased resolution and lower power consumption. Geely aims to target budget-sensitive mainland motorists with the debut of the Geely Galaxy E8, intensifying competition in the EV market in China.
Despite caution from the Bank of England (BoE) and the European Central Bank (ECB) regarding interest rates, both stocks and bonds have experienced gains.
UK November payrolls decreased by 12,000, indicating a softening labor market, while average weekly earnings showed a slight decline. This may lead to a pause by the Bank of England (BOE) as wage pressures ease. However, the jobless rate remained steady, suggesting stability in the overall labor market. GBP/USD experienced a slight drop in response to the news.
The upcoming week is expected to bring heightened market volatility due to impactful events such as US inflation data, UK GDP figures, and significant monetary policy announcements from the Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank, and the Bank of England. Precious metals, stocks, and currency pairs like USD/JPY, EUR/USD, and GBP/USD could experience significant swings, creating trading opportunities. Traders should closely monitor the US inflation report to assess interest rate expectations. The central banks are expected to maintain their policy settings, but their forward guidance and projections will be crucial. The US dollar may strengthen against major peers, while gold and silver could suffer if there is a resurgence in Treasury yields.
The week ahead will feature key central bank meetings including the FOMC, ECB, BoE, and SNB, as well as important economic data releases such as US CPI and Chinese activity data. The FOMC is expected to maintain rates but may provide insights into future rate cuts. The ECB is likely to keep rates unchanged but may revise growth and inflation projections for 2024. The BoE is expected to hold rates steady and focus on inflation and wage growth. The SNB is expected to leave rates unchanged but may adjust its FX language.
Apple supplier BOE is facing light leakage issues on its OLED panels for the iPhone 15, resulting in lower yields and potential supply constraints. BOE failed to meet Apple's production standards, leading to the cancellation of orders. Samsung, another OLED panel supplier for Apple, poses a threat to BOE's market share. BOE may not receive production approval from Apple for the iPhone 15 lineup, impacting its revenue. The focus now shifts to the iPhone 16 lineup, which is expected to feature larger OLED displays.
OnePlus has collaborated with BOE to create the OnePlus 12 with a display that is touted to be the Android smartphone industry benchmark in terms of user comfort and experience. The display is said to be eye health-friendly and incorporates a new usability feature. The OnePlus 12's display, sourced from BOE, has been optimized for brightness and fluidity, and may also include Rain Touch technology. The launch date for the OnePlus 12 has not been announced yet, but it has received certifications and approvals, indicating that its release is imminent.