BOE Technology is on track to surpass LG Display (LGD) as Apple's top MacBook LCD panel supplier in 2025, marking a significant shift in Apple's display sourcing as the company edges toward OLED adoption.
Although LGD has withdrawn from the large-format LCD TV market, it remains active in supplying LCD panels for IT and automotive applications. Still, its influence over Apple's notebook supply chain has weakened amid BOE's aggressive gains in the MacBook Air segment.
Omdia forecasts that BOE will ship approximately 11.5 million MacBook LCD panels to Apple in 2025, seizing a 51% market share, up from 39% in 2024 – the first time a single vendor will command a majority of Apple's MacBook display supply.
LGD's shipments are projected to decline by 12.2% to 8.48 million units, cutting its market share from 44% to 35%, a steep fall from its 62% peak in 2023. The drop stems largely from Apple shifting MacBook Air display orders to BOE and softer MacBook Pro demand.
Sharp is expected to supply 3.1 million mini-LED panels for MacBook Pro models in 2025, capturing a 14% share, according to MacRumors.
MacBook Air drives BOE's dominance
Apple's MacBook Air, available in 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch versions, accounts for around 20 million of the company's annual 25 million MacBook shipments. Both the Air and Pro models still use LCDs, with oxide TFT for the Pro and a-Si TFT for the Air. Sources attribute BOE's surge to Apple reallocating a growing share of Air panel orders to the Chinese supplier.
Apple is preparing to integrate OLED displays into its MacBook line, but the transition will be gradual. According to Dealsite.co.kr, the first OLED MacBook Pro may debut by late 2026, with OLED MacBook Air models potentially delayed to 2027 or even 2029 due to cost factors. While total panel procurement is expected to reach 22.5 million units in 2025, a modest 1% increase, the supplier reshuffle, led by BOE's gains, marks a notable shift.
LGD, once Apple's dominant MacBook panel supplier, is now playing catch-up. After halting large TV LCD production in 2022 and selling its Guangzhou fab in 2025, the company continues producing IT and automotive LCDs in South Korea. However, its limited investment in 8.6-generation OLED for IT raises doubts about its competitiveness once Apple's OLED pivot begins.
A temporary bump in Apple's LCD demand, driven by the US market pre-stocking in late 2024 and early 2025, benefited BOE the most, particularly after Apple shifted part of its MacBook OEM production to Vietnam, according to Omdia.
South Korea's OLED counteroffensive
Samsung Display (SDC) is poised to become a leading OLED panel supplier for future MacBooks. Its 8.6-generation OLED line in Asan, South Korea, is slated to begin mass production in early 2026 with an annual capacity of 10 million units.
LGD has earmarked KRW1.26 trillion (US$900 million) to bolster its IT OLED competitiveness, focusing on infrastructure upgrades and next-generation OLED development at its Paju facility through mid-2027, according to CEO Score Daily.
The current LCD landscape
Apple's MacBook Pro and Air models currently rely on LCD technology: oxide TFT for the Pro and a-Si TFT for the Air. While OLED laptops exist, they haven't yet disrupted the market. Some industry observers suggest LGD could regain ground through future IT OLED innovations, but its current focus remains on recovering LCD share.
LCD today, OLED tomorrow
Until OLED MacBooks become mainstream, BOE is likely to retain its lead in Apple's LCD panel supply. But as Apple pivots to OLED for thinner, lighter, and more efficient notebooks, the competitive landscape is set to shift again. For LGD, the near-term challenge isn't leading the OLED race—it's staying relevant in LCD.
Article edited by Jerry Chen
