Samsung

Some Android brands could face bans in the US over patent dispute

Ben Schoon | Nov 18 2024 - 7:35 am PT

An ongoing patent dispute between Samsung Display and BOE could lead to bans in the US for devices using BOE displays, if Samsung gets its way, that is.

As reported by The Elec, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) has made a preliminary decision regarding a patent dispute between Samsung Display and BOE. The ITC found that BOE has infringed on certain Samsung Display patents.

In the dispute, Samsung had requested a ban on the import and sale of products that infringe on these patents within the United States. The ITC has not granted that request at this time, though Samsung is expected to ask for the request to be reexamined. The ITC said that “there is no impact on the industry in the United States.”

However, if Samsung were to be granted this ban on BOE-equipped products in the US, the impact would be pretty huge.

In the US, most premium brands are using Samsung Display in the first place. This includes Samsung, of course, as well as the most recent Google Pixel phones and the iPhone. However, thanks to BOE’s generally lower costs, it’s not uncommon to find the company’s panels in a lot of Android smartphones.

OnePlus is perhaps the biggest name that uses BOE across many devices in its lineup, including its flagships. This also applies to the upcoming OnePlus 13. Another big name that has sourced displays from BOE is Motorola, which has used BOE displays in versions of the foldable Razr, and Lenovo has used the company for its foldable ThinkPad in the past as well. Google has also mixed in some BOE panels as recently as the Pixel 8.

Notably, even Apple has been in talks with BOE to provide display panels for the iPhone, and BOE is partnered with several big names in the US computer industry including HP, Asus, and more.

It’s already a huge “if” on whether or not the ITC will actually make this ban a reality, and it seems rather unlikely based on this preliminary decision. The final conclusion is expected to be made in March 2025.