BOE renovating the B12 factory's third phase production line: advanced technology will accompany the growth of OLED panels for supplying Apple iPads and computers

1. BOE renovating the B12 factory's third phase production line: or supplying OLED panels for Apple iPads and computers

According to foreign media The Elec, BOE has recently renovated the third phase production line of its B12 factory, preparing to produce large-sized (15 inch) OLED panels on this production line, which will be supplied to IT consumer electronics products such as laptops, tablets, and automobiles. BOE currently supplies 6.1-inch OLED panels for iPhones, and reports suggest that this move may be aimed at supplying OLED panels to Apple iPads, computers, and other devices.

The B12 production line is located in Chongqing and was built by BOE with an investment of 46.5 billion yuan. The initial purpose of the third phase of the production line is the same as the previous two phases, planned to produce the 6th generation (1500x1850mm) flexible OLED panel (AMOLED) required for smartphones. BOE previously expected that the third phase production line would reach full capacity from the second half of 2022 to early 2023, with a monthly production capacity of 48000 sixth generation OLED substrates.

It is worth noting that with BOE changing the design of the B12 factory's Phase III production line, equipment companies have also been affected. The equipment for the third phase production line was originally planned to start installation in April this year, but according to market research firm CINNO Research, precision laser processing equipment manufacturer LIS stated that the number of laser manufacturing equipment originally planned to supply to BOE Chongqing B12 factory has been reduced from 11 to 8 due to "changes in customer factory layout (design)".

In addition, it is easy to change the purpose of the production line, but it is still unknown whether it can be successfully mass-produced. Compared to OLED panels used in smartphones, OLED panels used in computers and cars have larger sizes and higher production technology difficulties. Samsung and LG are leaders in this field, and both companies are currently developing the 8.5th generation (2200x2500mm) ITOLED panel technology to meet IT panel needs.

CINNO Research stated that some industry insiders speculate that BOE's B12 factory's Phase III production line will actually stop at the pilot line. This is because BOE has no experience in mass producing IT OLED panels with a double-layer series structure. While accumulating IT technology in the sixth generation OLED production line, BOE is expected to invest in the 8.5-generation (2200x2500mm) OLED production line for IT.

2. IPhone 15 may adopt self-developed SOC and 5G baseband chips

Smartphones have become a daily necessity for everyone, whether it's taking a taxi or bus, buying breakfast, having lunch, clocking in at work, communicating and working. The role of smartphones is not insignificant. Watching mobile phones anytime and anywhere is also one of the habits of many people.

There are also many brands of smartphones, many of which have a considerable fan base, such as Apple, Huawei, etc. These phone brands often attract attention when they release new phones, and there will be a lot of news leaked before the new phones are released.

Recently, according to supply chain sources, the iPhone 14 that Apple will launch in September this year will be equipped with Samsung's Qualcomm 5G data processor X65 with 4nm process and RF IC, paired with Apple's A16 application processor. In addition, the news also stated that this may be Apple's last iPhone product equipped with a third-party baseband chip.