In the technology world, disputes rarely last more than a decade, but Samsung seems determined to prove otherwise. In October 2023, the South Korean giant filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), accusing Chinese manufacturer BOE of stealing key OLED technologies.
By July 2025, the ITC had issued a preliminary ruling against BOE. A final decision is expected in November, and according to leaks from South Korea’s Chosun, it may result in a sweeping ban on BOE display imports into the United States — one that could last an extraordinary 14 years and 8 months.
Why such a long ban?
The proposed duration mirrors the time Samsung Display spent developing its OLED technology. The ITC’s reasoning appears straightforward: if BOE, as Samsung alleges, “borrowed” these advancements, it should be excluded from the U.S. market for the same number of years.
A 100% deposit for every panel
Even if the ruling goes through and BOE tries to re-enter the market through intermediaries, importers would have to pay a 100% deposit on every panel shipped. This measure would not just hurt BOE’s business — it would effectively sever any realistic chance of operating in the United States.
Impact on iPhones and Pixels
According to Meritz Securities Korea, BOE currently supplies OLED displays for the upcoming iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air. If the ban is enforced, Apple would only be able to sell these BOE-equipped models outside the United States, in markets such as China and Europe. This poses a serious challenge for supply chain planning, especially since BOE also provides screens for the budget-friendly iPhone 16e.
Google faces similar risks. Its Pixel 8/8 Pro and Pixel 9/9 Pro already use BOE panels. While the Pixel 10’s display sourcing remains unclear, there is a strong chance BOE is involved there as well.
The likely winners
The clearest beneficiaries would be Samsung and LG, both poised to expand shipments and strengthen their foothold in the premium segment. For Chinese brands such as Vivo, Oppo, and Huawei — which already have no presence in the U.S. — the ban would hardly register. BOE would likely remain their primary display supplier.
