Apple seeks lower OLED panel costs for iPhone 18

Apple is pressuring its display suppliers to significantly lower costs for upcoming iPhone models as it seeks to offset skyrocketing memory and storage prices, according to industry reports. The company is reportedly demanding steep price cuts from Samsung Display and LG Display for the OLED panels destined for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, expected to launch later this year.

Industry sources indicate Apple has set a target price of around $70 per panel for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, but negotiations could drive the final average price down to approximately $66.50. This would represent a roughly $20 reduction from the estimated $80 price for the OLED panels used in the current iPhone 17 Pro Max. The reported price cut is notably steeper than the typical year-over-year reductions seen in recent iPhone generations.

Despite the push for lower prices, the new panels are expected to incorporate advanced technology. Reports state the iPhone 18 Pro models will use Samsung Display's latest M16 organic material set, which offers improvements in luminous efficiency, color performance, and lifespan. This continues a trend where Apple has secured better display technology even as...