Apple is increasing its inventory of OLED displays for future iPhones as memory chip costs and other component prices rise. According to ETNews, the company began extending its OLED panel inventory holding period in the second quarter of 2026, from about four weeks of supply to six weeks. The report said the move was linked to rising raw material and component costs amid higher memory semiconductor prices. ETNews also reported that Apple’s OLED panel orders remained substantial in the second quarter, despite the period typically being an off-season for iPhone component procurement.
The higher OLED inventory comes ahead of the expected September launch of the iPhone 18 series. ETNews reported that panel orders increased as demand for the iPhone 17 series remained steady and Apple extended its component inventory period. Samsung Display and LG Display remain major OLED suppliers for Apple, while China’s BOE also supplies panels at a smaller volume. ETNews reported that the extended inventory policy is expected to apply to the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, with increased supply volumes from South Korean display manufacturers anticipated.
Apple is also negotiating OLED panel prices as it manages higher component costs. The Elec reported in July that Apple proposed a price of about $70 per OLED panel for the iPhone 18 Pro Max, while industry estimates put potential Samsung Display and LG Display supply prices at about $66.50, roughly 20% below the previous model’s panel price. Separately, Apple has said that higher memory and storage costs are affecting its products, with CEO Tim Cook indicating that price increases would be necessary to offset some of those costs.
Disclaimer: This article may have been created with AI assistance and reviewed by our editorial team. It is provided for general informational purposes only. Readers should verify information independently before relying on this content.
