Apple is pushing its screen suppliers, Samsung Display and LG Display, to accept lower profit margins so the upcoming iPhone 17 launch won’t get hit too hard by U.S. tariffs.
Reports say Apple wants them to trim their prices, making sure Apple can avoid passing those costs onto customers. Samsung’s still negotiating, but LG has reportedly agreed, likely because it relies heavily on Apple for revenue this year.
China’s BOE was dropped from the lineup after failing to meet Apple’s standards, leaving Samsung and LG as the lead panel suppliers for the new “ProMotion” screens, iPhone 17 models will finally get a 120 Hz LTPO display.
All this comes as President Trump weighs tariffs that could hit iPhones harder than other phones, 25% specifically on iPhones unless they’re made in the U.S., a move that Apple wants to sidestep.
In the background, Apple quickly air-shipped about 600 metric tons of iPhones from India to the U.S., likely to get ahead of tariffs around 1.5 million devices were moved by air this spring.