Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Air, known for its ultra-thin design at just 5.5 mm thickness, is experiencing structural problems with its display. The OLED panel, slimmer than usual, has a micro coating layer that is cracking at the curved edges.
This coating is crucial as it protects the display from dust, moisture, and oxygen, and cracks could shorten the screen’s lifespan and cause other issues. Due to these display challenges, Apple has decided to exclude China-based display maker BOE from supplying panels for the iPhone 17 series this year.
BOE has struggled to meet Apple’s high-quality standards, especially with the new LTPO “ProMotion” displays that support 120 Hz refresh rates across all iPhone 17 models, including the Air. Instead, Apple will rely solely on Samsung Display and LG Display, which will increase manufacturing costs.
Samsung is expected to supply around 70 million panels, while LG will provide about 43 million. If BOE improves its quality next year, it might be reconsidered for the iPhone 18 lineup1.
The iPhone 17 Air is positioned as a flagship model replacing the previous Plus variant, featuring a 6.6-inch OLED screen with improved brightness and longevity compared to earlier models. However, the ultra-thin chassis design, while sleek, is causing these unexpected durability concerns.
