China's BOE Technology Group is poised to become Apple's largest MacBook panel supplier for the first time in 2025, capturing 51% market share as the iPhone maker shifts orders away from South Korean rival LG Display.
BOE will supply 11.5 million notebook panels to Apple next year, up 12 percentage points from 2024, according to market research firm Omdia, cited by South Korean media outlets ZDNet Korea and M Today. The surge primarily stems from Apple redirecting MacBook Air panel orders from LG Display to the Chinese manufacturer.
The shift marks a significant realignment in Apple's display supply chain. LG Display, long considered Apple's primary MacBook panel supplier, will see its share drop to 35% in 2025 from 44% in 2024, with shipments falling 12.2% to 8.48 million units. Japan's Sharp will retain about 14% share despite a 20.8% decline in shipments to 3.1 million units as demand weakens for MacBook Pro models.
Apple's total MacBook panel procurement is expected to reach 22.5 million units in 2025, up 1% from the previous year. The company's MacBook lineup consists of the Air series, focused on portability, and the Pro series, which targets high-performance users.
BOE's ascendancy comes as Apple increases orders for popular 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch MacBook Air panels while demand for MacBook Pro displays softens. The Chinese company's growth is expected to accelerate in the second quarter of 2025.
The current LCD-dominated landscape faces disruption starting in 2026 when Apple plans to introduce OLED panels to MacBooks. Samsung Display is expected to enter the MacBook supply chain, potentially triggering fresh competition as the market transitions from LCD to OLED technology.
Article translated by Vyra Wu and edited by Jack Wu
