Some iPhone 15, 16 models may face sales ban in US for patent violation

ETNews reported that on July 16 the U.S. International Trade Commission issued a preliminary ruling that Samsung has provided sufficient evidence to show that BOE has manufactured OLED panels by misappropriating the South Korean company’s trade secrets.

It has recommended blocking imports of infringing OLED displays produced by Chinese manufacturer BOE, which are used in several iPhone 15 and 16 models, and potentially in the upcoming iPhone 17.

While this remains a preliminary ruling, the commission rarely changes its final decision. BOE is a key supplier of OLED screens for various iPhone 15 and 16 models sold in the U.S. If the recommendation stands, Apple will be forced to halt imports of devices using BOE’s displays and redirect these products to markets outside the U.S.

The iPhone 16e, a smartphone model with BOE’s OLED display. Photo by VnExpress/Tuan Hung

The dispute began in July 2023 when Samsung Display filed a lawsuit against BOE in a Texas court. "Samsung Display has suffered, and will continue to suffer, irreparable harm as a result of Defendants’ infringement of the '599 Patent' for which there is no adequate remedy at law, unless Defendants’ infringement is enjoined by this Court," the complaint said, referring to a patent that improves display image quality.

Previously BOE Technology had sued Samsung, accusing it of pirating six patents related to display and semiconductor technologies. But according to industry experts, BOE's legal action was merely intended to slow down Samsung’s production in China. At the time both companies were competing to supply OLED panels to Apple.