San’an Optoelectronics, a China based LED chip maker, might soon be one of the sources in the supply chain of Apple. This would put the Chinese firm in direct competition with another Taiwan based chip maker that also develops mini LED backlighting applications which might be seen in the upcoming iPad and MacBook models in 2021.
According to a DigiTimes report, Sanan had lagged behind Epistar for about a year in terms of the development of mini LED technology. But with recent progress, the company might finally be beginning the production of mini LEDs by the end of 2020. These will then likely be certified by mid 2021 and can enter the Cupertino based giant’s supply chain by 2022.
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For those unaware, Apple is reportedly set to acquire mini LED backlighting for its iPad Pro from Epistar, who is their sole supplier as per industry sources. The upcoming generation of products from the brand is expected to feature mini LED in various different categories like tablets to computers, so it would seem likely that the company will have more than one supplier.
Thus, with Sanan making leaps in its developments of the display technology it would soon be a viable supplier to Apple. Although, another important factor to consider is that even if it does manage to start mini LED production by 2021, the yield rates will be crucial to whether or not Apple starts ordering from the Chinese company.
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