Apple has begun storing OLED panels for longer periods, extending its display buffer from four weeks to six weeks starting in the second quarter of 2026, in response to rising component prices, a report citing industry sources in South Korea says.
The shift is notable because Apple has long treated inventory as a cost to be minimized and operated one of the leanest supply chains in the industry.
Why Apple is holding OLED panels longer
The change is reportedly driven by a sharp rise in memory chip prices that is rippling through other components. Buying more panels upfront, particularly during quieter parts of the sales cycle, is intended to help the company stabilize prices.
Apple already raised prices on 14 products, including all Macs and iPads, in June. The iPhone 18 Pro is widely expected to see a price hike when it launches next month.
Suppliers and outlook
Samsung Display and LG Display remain Apple’s primary iPhone OLED suppliers, with BOE supplying a much smaller share out of China. A display industry official told the report the longer holding period is likely to stick and could stretch further once the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max launch.
