In a fresh blow to Apple’s late-2025 launch plans, a new ITC ruling means certain iPhone models and units could be banned from sale in the U.S. by the end of the year.
As reported by the Korean outlet ETNews, the ITC ruled Friday that the Chinese firm BOE, a major Apple display supplier, had infringed on Samsung Display’s trade secrets and should be subject to an import ban. This, in turn, means that Apple may not be able to import any iPhones made using BOE OLED displays into the U.S., which unfortunately that encompasses most recent models.
“It is a finding of the [Final Initial Determination] that [Samsung Display] has proven by a preponderance of evidence that [BOE and seven subsidiaries] have violated subsection (a)(1)(A)(i) of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, in the importation into the United States, or in the sale of certain organic light-emitting diode display modules and components thereof by reason of misappropriation of trade secrets,” reads the ruling, which can be read on the ITC website.
“This decision recommends: (1) a Limited Exclusion Order with a standard certification provision after a Commission determination on imported products that are manufactured without the use of the misappropriated trade secrets; (2) a Cease-and-Desist Order against each Respondent, both domestic and foreign; and (3) a bond of 100% during the Presidential Review Period.”
The exclusion order will prevent Apple from importing infringing products into the U.S. The cease-and-desist order will not prevent the sale of inventory that’s already reached the States.
Let’s deal with the complications. First, this is only a preliminary ruling, but as ETNews notes (via Google Translate), “It is extremely rare for a preliminary ruling to be overturned in a final ruling.”
Second, the timing. The ITC ruling doesn’t take effect immediately; rather, an import ban would begin in November of this year when the final ruling (likely to be the same as the preliminary one, as discussed above) is issued. And this could still be vetoed by the U.S. president, so Apple will hope it’s in President Trump’s good books.
Third, it’s not as easy as you might think to say which iPhones use BOE displays, because Apple has multiple screen suppliers. The iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 16, 16 Plus, and 16e may all be affected by a ban because there are units of those devices currently sold in the U.S. with BOE screens, but there are also units of the same phones with screens from other companies, including Samsung and LG. Apple may be able to juggle its inventory to divert BOE units to overseas markets, but this would add yet another layer of complication to an already bafflingly complicated system.
And lastly, how does this affect the iPhone 17? Apple currently uses BOE for some units of its non-Pro iPhones, so it would be logical to expect the iPhone 17 and potentially the iPhone 17 Air to be affected. However, it was reported last week that Apple will be limited use of BOE displays to China, which would alleviate the issue on the newest model.
Furthermore, 9to5Mac reports that no iPhones will be affected by the ruling, “likely because the ban applies to specific OLED screen types not used in iPhones.” And since the iPhone 15 is likely to drop from the lineup in September as the new models shift everything down, the ruling may only affect the iPhone 16 and 16e models anyway, which is a simpler problem to solve.
At any rate, between now and September, when the iPhone 17 will be announced, and November, when the final ruling will be issued, Apple will likely need to shift its supply chain somewhat. And it’s entirely possible the company has already been preparing for exactly this eventuality when the ITC began its investigation.