Samsung Electronics and Chinese display maker BOE appear to be moving toward repairing their business relationship after a long legal dispute. Recent reports suggest that senior executives from both companies have held talks to restart supply agreements for smartphone OLED displays and TV LCD panels.
If finalized, this partnership could help Samsung manage rising component costs and diversify its supply chain.
High-Level Meetings Signal a Fresh Start
According to industry reports from South Korea, BOE Chairman Chen Yanshun recently met with Samsung’s top leadership. The meeting reportedly included TM Roh, who heads Samsung’s mobile division.
This marks the first major discussion between the two companies since their relationship broke down due to patent infringement disputes involving Samsung Display. Following that fallout, Samsung had reduced its dependence on BOE and turned to other suppliers for lower-end displays.
The new talks suggest both companies are willing to put legal tensions aside in favor of practical business needs.
BOE Wants Back Into Samsung’s Smartphone Lineup
BOE is reportedly trying to regain its position as a key display supplier for Samsung smartphones. In the past, BOE supplied OLED panels mainly for Galaxy M and Galaxy A series devices.
Now, the company is aiming higher and is said to be pushing for premium OLED display orders, which would mark a major upgrade in its role within Samsung’s product lineup.
LCD Panels for Samsung TVs Also on the Table
The discussions are not limited to smartphones. BOE is also seeking to restore its LCD panel supply for Samsung TVs.
Before the dispute, BOE supplied around 10 million TV panels per year to Samsung. That number reportedly dropped to about 1 million units after relations soured. A return to earlier volumes would benefit BOE and give Samsung access to cost-effective TV panels for its global TV business.
Why Samsung May Welcome BOE Back
For Samsung, bringing BOE back as a supplier could help reduce costs at a time when memory prices are rising sharply due to global shortages driven by AI demand.
Displays are one of the most expensive parts of a smartphone or TV. By working with multiple suppliers, Samsung can:
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Negotiate better pricing
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Reduce dependency on a single source
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Protect profit margins without raising consumer prices too much
This strategy becomes especially important as RAM and storage costs continue to climb.
What This Means for the Display Industry
This potential reconciliation highlights how interconnected the global tech industry is. Even companies that compete fiercely often depend on each other.
BOE has improved its display technology significantly in recent years. It already supplies screens to brands like Oppo and Vivo, and is also a secondary display supplier for Apple. A renewed partnership with Samsung would further strengthen BOE’s position in the global display market.
For Samsung, sourcing displays from outside its own Samsung Display unit also helps keep pricing competitive and ensures supply stability.
What to Watch Next
No official supply agreements have been announced yet. However, the involvement of top executives suggests that discussions are serious.
Industry watchers will be looking closely to see whether BOE panels appear in future Galaxy smartphones or Samsung TV models launching in 2026.
