The US ITC is set to impose a 14-year ban on BOE display imports after Samsung’s OLED tech lawsuit, reshaping the US market for Apple, Google, and other brands.
© A. Krivonosov
Samsung appears to have secured a major legal victory in its ongoing dispute with Chinese display maker BOE. According to South Korean outlet Chosun, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) is preparing to approve a ruling in November that would ban the import and sale of BOE displays in the United States for 14 years and 8 months — a duration described as unprecedented. The restriction would completely shut BOE out of the American market and extend to its U.S. subsidiaries.
The case began in October 2023, when Samsung accused BOE of stealing and unlawfully using critical OLED technologies. The ITC issued a preliminary ruling in July this year, with a final decision expected by late November 2025. The length of the ban reportedly matches the time Samsung Display spent developing what it considers its «core OLED technologies.» During any appeal process, companies importing BOE panels would be required to post a 100% bond, creating a significant obstacle for the Chinese manufacturer’s operations in the U.S.
The move could also affect Apple. Analysts at Meritz Securities report that BOE supplies OLED screens for the upcoming iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air. If the ban takes effect, those models equipped with BOE displays may only be sold outside the U.S., such as in China. Google faces a similar risk, as its Pixel 8, 8 Pro, 9, and 9 Pro already incorporate BOE panels alongside those from Samsung, with potential supply disruptions looming for the Pixel 10 if BOE remains a key supplier.
Should the ban be implemented, Samsung and LG stand to benefit most, strengthening their grip on the U.S. display market. For brands like vivo, OPPO, and Huawei — which have minimal presence in the U.S. — BOE would likely continue as a major OLED supplier without significant changes to their business.