Artistic interpretation of HomePod with display
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South Korean press surprisingly claims that Apple's expected new HomePod with display will use high-quality OLED screens, all of which will be made in China.
The latest predictions for the launch of the promising HomePod with a built-in screen are for the second half of 2025. But Chinese display company Tianma is said to have already secured an exclusive order and will be producing the OLED screens.
According to Seoul Economic Daily, the company is believed to be planning screens between 6 and 7 inches in size and will use a low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) version of OLED. This is also reportedly the first time a Chinese company has secured an exclusive contract, beating out South Korean rivals.
Tianma could reportedly supply HomePod screens at a price of $10 to $15 lower than Korean companies.
“The previous generation of HomePods was not very popular, and the products introduced this time are also new form factors, so we have no choice but to focus on price competitiveness,” an unnamed industry official said (translated). “[With] LTPS, the gap between Korea and China is relatively small, and cost-effective Chinese products would be attractive.”
Apple is said to be working with Chinese companies to help them reduce costs through technological innovation. As part of this effort, Apple is said to have opened four display research centers in Beijing, Shenzhen, Suzhou, and Shanghai.
Perhaps as a consequence of this, Seoul Economic Daily also reports that Chinese company BOE display will be one of the suppliers of OLED screens for the MacBook Pro within two to three years.
However, the exclusive use of a Chinese company for the HomePod is especially significant as Apple continues to move away from its over-reliance on China as the sole source of many components and devices. It is also important as trade tensions between the US and China continue.
However, while sources say the new HomePod will use a cheaper version of LTPS OLED, it still seems overkill for a screen that will presumably only be looked at. Apple is expected to turn the device into a Home Hub, which would mean displaying HomeKit controls, but the screen still won’t be looked at as often as an iPhone or iPad.
Seoul Economic Daily doesn’t have a notable history of covering Apple leaks. However, it does claim to have sources in the display supply chain.
Tianma was previously rumored to be competing to supply screens for the upcoming iPhone SE 4.
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