Samsung stands out in the display industry as a top player, offering cutting-edge panel technologies. Despite facing tough competition from the likes of China’s BOE, Samsung has recently made significant progress in potentially banning BOE’s OLED panels in the crucial US market.
The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has made a preliminary ruling in favor of Samsung Display, stating that BOE, a major Chinese display manufacturer, has violated several of Samsung Display’s OLED patents and trade secrets. This ruling could have serious implications for BOE, as preliminary rulings are typically upheld in final judgments.
The ITC has recommended sanctions against BOE, including a ban on importing BOE’s OLED panels into the US. This would benefit Samsung, as other phone manufacturers looking to sell devices in the US would need to seek alternative suppliers, potentially turning to Samsung Display. There is also a proposed cease and desist order to prevent BOE from marketing and selling products that infringe on Samsung’s technology.
If the ruling is upheld in November 2025, it could pose a significant challenge for BOE in exporting OLED panels to the lucrative US market and may lead to restrictions on their manufacturing processes related to the infringed technology.
One of the significant impacts of this potential ban would be on Apple, as BOE supplies OLED panels for Apple’s iPhones. A ban on BOE’s OLED panels could disrupt their supply deals with Apple, potentially forcing Apple to rely more on other suppliers like Samsung Display or LG Display. Other Android manufacturers, such as OnePlus, who use BOE panels in their flagship phones, could also be affected.
The legal dispute between Samsung Display and BOE began in October 2023 when Samsung filed a complaint with the ITC alleging trade secret infringement by BOE. This case underscores the fierce competition and the crucial role of intellectual property rights in the display industry. The final decision from the ITC in November 2025 will have significant implications for the global smartphone supply chain.