Tianma may enter iPhone supply chain

An industry insider said, "For next-generation products or foldable phones like the iPhone 17, products with superior technology will be used, but for additional production of existing models or popular models, price competitiveness will be the key. Apple has decided to equip popular models with OLED, but Tianma is also seeking to enter the supply chain, so price competition is expected to become more intense." According to the latest information from the supply chain, Apple has selected Tianma as the OLED panel supplier for its upcoming new HomePod. Looking back at history, the first generation of HomePod was launched in 2017 and officially went on sale at the beginning of the following year. It was not until 2023 that Apple launched the second generation of HomePod. According to statistics, as of the third quarter of 2024, the cumulative shipments of the two generations of HomePod products reached approximately 28.926 million units. Although HomePod has performed well in the international market, it has received mediocre response in the domestic market. Industry insiders pointed out that this is mainly due to its relatively high price and low cost performance. However, with the rise of large language models and generative AI technology, the category of smart speakers has once again attracted widespread attention.
Against this background, Apple plans to launch a new HomePod equipped with a display next year. Well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that this HomePod with a screen will be released in the third quarter of 2025. Its display will be provided by Tianma, the size is expected to be between 6 and 7 inches, and it will support Apple Intelligence functions. Compared with previous products, the new HomePod pays more attention to the integration and control functions of smart homes, which marks Apple's strategic adjustment to the HomePod product line. It is reported that this device will be seamlessly connected with Apple's future camera products, and will be highly integrated with Apple's existing ecosystem and HomeKit to provide users with a comprehensive smart home experience. Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that the new HomePod will ship about 500,000 units in the second half of 2025.