【Apple】ディスプレイ調達で脱中国 サムスン・LG製にシフトか
Apple is reportedly shifting its display sourcing from Chinese suppliers to South Korean manufacturers like Samsung and LG. This move is driven by Apple's aim to reduce supply chain dependence on China amid intensifying US-China tensions. Online reactions vary, with some hoping for improved quality while others express concern about potential cost implications.
Related Keywords
Supply Chain Risk
Supply chain risk refers to any threat – such as disruptions, delays, cost increases, or quality degradation – that can arise from unexpected events throughout the entire process of sourcing raw materials, production, distribution, sales, and delivery to the final customer. Specific examples include natural disasters (earthquakes, floods), pandemics (COVID-19), geopolitical tensions (conflicts, trade friction), cyberattacks, labor disputes, and transportation infrastructure failures. For global companies like Apple, a healthy supply chain directly impacts stable product supply and revenue, making risk management a top management priority. For instance, the strict lockdown policies in China during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 temporarily halted operations at Apple's main production facilities in China, causing severe delays in iPhone production. This resulted in products not being available in stores during the crucial year-end sales season, reportedly leading to hundreds of billions of yen in lost sales opportunities. This current 'de-China' movement is a strategic decision to avoid the risks associated with concentrating production and procurement in specific countries or regions, thereby enhancing the overall resilience of the supply chain. Beyond relocating production to other countries (like India, Vietnam), diversifying display procurement to South Korean manufacturers is an effort to build a system capable of responding to unforeseen circumstances.
OLED Display (Organic Light-Emitting Diode Display)
OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) is a next-generation display technology that utilizes the phenomenon where organic materials emit light when an electric current is applied. Unlike traditional LCDs, which require a backlight, OLED pixels self-emit light, eliminating the need for a backlight. This characteristic allows for the expression of 'perfect black,' which is impossible with LCDs, achieving an almost infinite contrast ratio. Furthermore, OLED offers many advantages such as fast response times with minimal ghosting, wide viewing angles, potential for thinner and lighter designs, and applicability to curved designs. Apple actively uses OLED panels in its iPhone Pro models, Apple Watch, and some MacBook Pro models, with plans for broader adoption in iPads and Macs in the future. However, manufacturing OLED panels requires advanced technology and massive capital investment, limiting the number of major suppliers. Currently, South Korea's Samsung Display holds an overwhelming share in the mobile small-sized OLED panel market, while LG Display, also from South Korea, leads the large-sized OLED panel market. Chinese companies like BOE are improving their technology, but there is still a gap in terms of quality stability and production scale. The background to Apple's strengthened procurement from Samsung and LG is not merely risk diversification, but also a strong intention to stably secure high-quality OLED panels that serve as a differentiating factor for iPhones and iPads. These display technologies are also extremely important for future XR devices like the Apple Vision Pro and for technological development with an eye towards MicroLED.
Geopolitical Risk
Geopolitical risk refers to the potential impact that political and economic relations between nations or the stability of specific regions can have on the international economy and corporate activities. In recent years, geopolitical risk has become a major factor of uncertainty in the global economy, highlighted by intensifying US-China tensions, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and increased tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Giant global corporations like Apple face this risk in every aspect: the location of production bases, procurement of parts, and sales markets. Especially, the relationship with China, which has long been a major production base and one of the largest markets, is a very delicate issue for Apple. The U.S. government pressures its companies to reduce their dependence on China from a national security perspective, while the Chinese government also strengthens regulations on foreign corporate activities within the country and promotes the development of domestic suppliers. For example, if the U.S. imposes export restrictions on specific Chinese companies, Apple's supply chain, which procures parts from those companies, could be affected. Furthermore, if nationalism within China leads to calls to 'not use Apple products,' it could impact sales strategies. This 'de-China' movement in display procurement is a strategic decision made with a strong awareness of the political and economic dangers of concentrating production and procurement in a specific region, not just considerations of cost or efficiency. It can be seen as one of the corporate responses to rising geopolitical risks, aiming to protect business operations from unexpected changes in international affairs and ensure stable corporate management.