Samsung Ending LCD Supply to Apple

[Michael Essany]

It may seem like old news around MMi, but the longstanding rumor officially became a reality today as Samsung confirmed Monday that it's ending its LCD supply contract with tech rival Apple.

Last week, a source speaking with The Korea Times reported that Samsung and Apple were closer than ever before to splitting ways. "Samsung’s agreement with Apple is limited to manufacturing the A6 processors. Apple did all the design and we are just producing the chips on a foundry basis," the source revealed.

Today's report confirmed that Samsung is already in the process of slashing its shipments to Apple with a full-blown conclusion of all shipments expected in early 2013. For now, it still appears that Apple will continue to develop its relationship with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) for the purpose of replacing Samsung.

In Q3 of 2012, Samsung is believed to have shipped less than 3 million LCDs to Apple. Not surprisingly, that number is expected to similarly tumble into the fourth and final quarter of the year.

Source: The Korea Times (via All Things D)

[scroogelives]

Not really a shock as we all knew apple was making new ties for supply of their screens!

[aidanharris]

So any products that are sold with a Samsung display are they not going to be made by Samsung anymore and instead someone else but with the same specs? Or am I being an idiot in thinking Samsung hand make every display and in reality only design it and it's produced elsewhere (somewhere that isn't a Samsung factory)?

[Carvensno]

Not going to hurt Apples supply chain! That's why Apple was ahead of the game and securing orders from other suppliers. Funny how they make it out as Samsung making the decision rather than making it as Apple leaving them. LMAO :P

[feidhlim1986]

Glad I have a Samsung made display on my device. They make probably the best quality displays on the market. It's a shame we wont get the tried and tested quality in newer devices.
New batch devices might suffer from lower quality displays.

[tridley68]

Not really a shock as we all knew apple was making new ties for supply of their screens!

SamSunk should not have bitten the hand that feeds.

[feidhlim1986]

SamSunk should not have bitten the hand that feeds.

That makes loads of sense. Well done on excelling at logic.

[cmay227]

SamSunk should not have bitten the hand that feeds.

look at the stock prices....apple has a way to go to catch sammy

[Painkiller006]

SamSunk should not have bitten the hand that feeds.

Metallicafan is that you?

[bigboyz]

Nothing shocking. Hopefully the quality we have come to expect does not suffer in the midst of this separation. In the end its about a quality product..iPad Mini where you at?? haha!