Samsung may use BOE displays for the Galaxy S27 to optimize production costs.
For the first time in history, Samsung's Galaxy S27 flagship series may be equipped with OLED panels from partner BOE, aiming to alleviate the pressure of increasingly high component prices.
Samsung MX is considering a landmark change in its supply chain for its flagship Galaxy S27 series, expected to launch next year. Instead of relying entirely on Samsung Display as in previous generations, the South Korean tech giant is experimenting with OLED panels from Chinese manufacturer BOE for some variants of the series.
Diversification strategy for the display supply chain
For many years, the Galaxy S flagship series has been associated with high-quality OLED displays supplied by Samsung Display. Self-sufficiency in components allows Samsung to tightly control display quality and maintain its leading position. However, according to a report from ZDNet Korea, BOE is making a strong effort to break into Samsung's supply chain by offering more competitive pricing.
Reportedly, Samsung MX has been evaluating BOE's OLED panels for over a month. To date, sources indicate no serious technical issues have been discovered. If it passes stringent durability and color accuracy standards, BOE will officially become a secondary supplier for the Galaxy S27 alongside Samsung Display.
The economic rationale behind low-cost display panels.
The primary reason Samsung is considering a Chinese partner is to optimize profits. BOE's OLED panels are reportedly priced about $5 lower per unit than Samsung Display's comparable products. With sales reaching tens of millions of units annually, saving $5 per unit would help the company reduce production costs by millions of dollars.
This move becomes even more important as the cost of other components such as RAM and processors continues to escalate. Previously, Samsung used TCL CSOT screens for mid-range models like the Galaxy A57, but adopting technology from the Chinese supplier for high-end flagships is a bold decision, requiring rigorous testing to avoid damaging the brand's reputation.
Expected specifications and versions of the Galaxy S27 series.
The Galaxy S27 series is expected to launch early next year with a lineup of four versions: Galaxy S27, Galaxy S27+, Galaxy S27 Pro, and Galaxy S27 Ultra. The standard and Plus variants will likely be the first to feature displays from BOE, while the Pro and Ultra versions may still prioritize using the highest-end display technology from Samsung Display.
In terms of performance, the Galaxy S27 and S27+ will likely feature the Exynos 2700 processor in most markets. Meanwhile, the higher-end models, the Galaxy S27 Pro and Galaxy S27 Ultra, are predicted to use the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chip or the most powerful Gen 6 Pro variant from Qualcomm globally.
