Samsung Electronics Co. is expanding its foothold in Apple Inc.’s supply chain, securing key contracts across components from image sensors to displays. Samsung Display Co., which is already the largest supplier of OLED panels for the iPhone, is set to deepen its collaboration with the U.S. tech giant.

Industry sources said Monday that Samsung Display will supply next-generation OLED panels using a “two-stack tandem” structure for the MacBook Pro slated for release next year.

The same technology was recently introduced in Apple’s latest iPad models.

The two-stack tandem approach layers two emissive structures to extend panel lifespan and boost brightness, offering superior power efficiency and durability compared with conventional single-stack designs.

Samsung Display continues to dominate Apple’s display supply chain and is expected to be the largest single-panel supplier for Apple’s first foldable smartphone, which is also expected next year.

The device is likely to feature Samsung’s commercially proven Color Filter on Encapsulation (CoE) technology.

CoE eliminates the polarizer layer used in traditional displays, instead applying a special film and low-reflection materials to minimize glare. Removing the polarizer increases light transmittance, resulting in a brighter screen and reduced power consumption, extending battery life.

Power efficiency is increasingly important for on-device AI environments, where complex AI computations are processed directly on the device. This makes CoE well-suited for next-generation mobile products.

The technology is expected to debut in the foldable iPhone before expanding to the slimmer iPhone Air anticipated in 2027.

Samsung is reinforcing its position in Apple’s supply chain across core areas such as system LSI, foundry, displays, and components.

Analysts say this strategic interdependence benefits both companies by reducing supply chain risks and enhancing market influence. Leveraging its U.S.-based manufacturing facilities could also give Samsung a competitive edge amid ongoing U.S.-China tech tensions.

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