Speculation from industry sources suggests Apple could upgrade the budget iPhone SE line with an OLED display by 2025. At present, the SE remains the only iPhone in Apple’s lineup that uses LCD, so adopting OLED would align it more closely with the brand’s other models in both appearance and performance.
OLED technology delivers richer colors, deeper blacks, and sharper overall image quality compared with LCD. Yet Apple’s strategic emphasis appears to be on controlling production costs for the iPhone SE 4. The display supply landscape features two major players, Samsung and BOE, both vying to win a larger share of the OLED business for Apple’s next SE model.
Although OLED panels carry a higher production cost, Apple may still keep the SE price accessible thanks to fierce competition among suppliers. Reports indicate Samsung has offered the lowest pricing and has secured the bulk of the orders, reflecting its advantage in scale and familiarity with Apple’s specifications.
Current pricing chatter places OLED panel quotes for the SE 4 between $30 and $40 per unit. Samsung is cited as the most economical option at about $30 per screen, with BOE capping its quote around $35. A Chinese display maker, Tienma, is said to have presented the highest quote in this range, roughly $40 per unit.
Given Samsung’s long-standing relationship with Apple and its apparent price edge, it is likely to capture the majority of the SE 4 OLED orders, followed by BOE as a secondary supplier. The competitive pricing landscape gives Apple room to sustain a healthy margin on each unit while still offering a more affordable device in the SE line compared with flagship models.
Industry chatter indicates the OLED panel costs for the SE 4 are about a third lower than the price of the panel used in the iPhone 15. This differential provides Apple with a comfortable profit cushion while maintaining a compelling price point for consumers in the SE segment.
Apple has not publicly confirmed a manufacturing partner for the SE 4 and is reportedly exploring options to secure even lower pricing, potentially sub $30 per panel. This price sensitivity is a key driver of supplier selection and contract negotiations as Apple positions the SE 4 to compete effectively in price-conscious markets.
Although an exact release date has not been announced, insiders expect the iPhone SE 4 to launch sometime in 2025. The project sits within Apple’s broader strategy to refresh lower-cost devices without sacrificing core performance or user experience.
Earlier reports indicated Apple paused development on a flexible-screen iPhone concept, signaling a shift in priorities toward more widely adopted form factors and proven display technologies for the next generation of budget devices.