[News] China’s Tianma Secures Deal to Supply LCD Panels for Apple’s HomePod

According to a report by TheElec, China’s Tianma will supply 7-inch liquid crystal display (LCD) panels for Apple’s HomePod. While the HomePod was initially expected to launch in 2024, the release has been delayed to 2025, as the report notes.

Notably, this marks the first time Apple’s HomePod will feature a touchscreen. The report highlights that Tianma secured the LCD supply deal with Apple in 2023, outcompeting Sharp. According to the report, sources indicate that Apple chose to partner with Tianma primarily to broaden its display supply chain within China.

Tianma’s LCD panel is considered low-end and will be supplied at just USD10 per unit, a highly attractive price that even other Chinese panel makers find difficult to match. The report also mentions that Tianma previously supplied rigid OLED panels for the touch bars on MacBooks.

Currently, Apple sources LCD panels for its MacBooks and iPads from LG Display, BOE, and Sharp. The report highlights that LG Display remains the largest supplier, with BOE’s market share steadily rising, while Sharp’s share is experiencing a fall.

Tianma’s Chinese competitors are all striving to secure more orders from Apple. CSOT has acquired LG Display’s LCD factory in Guangzhou, which could provide a potential advantage in winning Apple’s deals, as indicated by the report.

Meanwhile, the report notes that BOE has already been selected by Apple to supply the majority of OLED panels for the iPhone SE 4 in 2025. However, escalating U.S.-China trade tensions may pose challenges and raise concerns about the supply chain in China.

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(Photo credit: Tianma)