Are BOE displays lower quality than Samsung Display?

Samsung and LG are known to make superior and more advanced screens than BOE. However, the gap has narrowed considerably — BOE panels have reached acceptable quality levels in many mid-range phones. The key differences typically show up in peak brightness, color calibration accuracy, and power efficiency.

Will this affect the S27's price?

That's the stated goal — saving display costs to offset rising memory prices. If pivoting to BOE displays means avoiding a second price hike in a row, most buyers may be fine with that, even if the screens look a little less magnificent.

Has Apple used BOE in its iPhones?

Apple appears to be following a comparable approach. Apple uses Samsung Display and LG Display and has been attempting to bring BOE into some models on a rolling timeline.

Does this mean Galaxy S27 Ultra will get a noticeably better display than the standard model?

Samsung Display will supply the bulk of Galaxy S27 series panels — BOE would be for the standard S27 only. This deepens the existing differentiation seen in the S26 series where the Ultra gets M14 OLED technology while the standard model remains on M13.

When will Galaxy S27 be announced?

The Galaxy S27 and S27 Plus are expected in February 2027 alongside the Galaxy S27 Ultra and potentially a Galaxy S27 Pro.

Samsung Galaxy S27 May Use BOE Chinese Displays — A First in Galaxy S Flagship History

Samsung Galaxy S27 — Chinese Displays in a Flagship for the First Time?

Chinese display panel maker BOE is reportedly trying to supply screens for Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S27. A new report from Korea claims that BOE has seen that TCL-owned CSOT has secured a contract with Samsung for the Galaxy A57 and would like to enter the Korean company's supply chain. Samsung Display is still the main display supplier for the Galaxy A57, but CSOT is the second supplier in terms of volume. With that in mind, Samsung is allegedly considering using BOE as a secondary supplier to Samsung Display for the Galaxy S27, but a decision hasn't been made yet.

The Reason — Rising Memory Prices Squeeze Costs

The push to make it happen now comes down to memory costs. AI data center demand has driven DRAM prices up sharply. Samsung needs places to offset those increases before they hit consumers. Displays are an easier lever to pull than memory.

Here's the part that sounds strange: Samsung Display doesn't give Samsung's phone division a discounted rate on panels. Both operate as separate businesses, so Samsung MX pays market price for its own screens. BOE can produce comparable OLED panels at lower prices, which makes the math straightforward even if the optics aren't great.

Display Quality Concerns

Samsung and LG are known to make superior and more advanced screens than BOE. While BOE has supplied screens for some mid-tier Samsung phones such as the Galaxy A57, this would be the first time it manufactured screens for a Samsung flagship.

BOE panels have historically trailed Samsung Display on brightness and efficiency, though the gap has narrowed. Samsung would reportedly hold BOE to a tighter standard than it does for mid-range supply.

Internal Tension Within Samsung

The Korean media report speculates that Samsung, at the group level, may not want to get BOE as a supplier for a high-end device made by Samsung Electronics as that would somehow weaken Samsung Display's negotiating position.

Context — The Path Already Taken Through the A-Series

Samsung already went down this road with its mid-range lineup. The Galaxy A57 uses OLED panels from CSOT, and memory costs have pushed prices up across Samsung's entire product range this year. Bringing a third-party display into the flagship S-series is a bigger step, but not a completely new direction.

Important Caveat — No Decision Made Yet

Samsung Display would still supply most Galaxy S27 display panels. BOE would simply serve as a secondary source for the base model only — if the deal goes through. The Galaxy S27 is expected in January-February 2027.