The Apple Vision Prois equipped with two 4K microLED panels that were earlier rumored to be supplied by Sony. Having one supplier in the chain meant that the cost of this particular component would be undoubtedly high, which is also the reason why Apple was previously reported to be evaluating two Chinese display suppliersto bring down the price. According to the latest analysis, those two companies have been added to the supply chain, with Sony seemingly out of the picture.

Sony likely did not make the cut because the Japanese manufacturer was previously reported to have a lower production output for the Apple Vision Pro’s microLED panels

A recent analysis done by TrendForce reveals the supply chain list for the Apple Vision Pro. We have known for a while that Luxshare Precision would have exclusivity over assembling the mixed-reality headset, with another company, Goertek included in the image below for an undisclosed reason. However, the biggest change is not seeing Sony in the list, and according to Revegnus, it was due to the low yields of the microLED panels. The tipster has made an error by saying that just SeeYA, a Chinese display manufacturer, is now present in the list, whereas BOE is also mentioned.

In the past, BOE has lost out on iPhone display orders due to being unable to pass Apple’s stringent quality control tests, but an earlier report stated that the supplier was also caught cheating when attempting to conserve manufacturing costs for the iPhone 13 displays. It is possible that BOE is a part of the Apple Vision Pro supply chain on a trial basis and will only be given orders when SeeYA cannot fulfill the initial shipment order. Even then, we expect BOE to be under intense supervision and be given a substantially lower shipment target so that it can focus more on quality.

One reason why Sony might have been removed from the supply chain list was that it could only mass produce 900,000 microLED units for the Apple Vision Pro. Since the headset uses two panels instead of one, this would translate into just 450,000 units being manufactured in a 12-month period, which is insufficient for Apple in terms of overall revenue because the technology giant’s other product ranges overshadow the figure mentioned above in both volume and earnings.

Adding two Chinese display suppliers will also give Apple better leverage in commanding better prices for the 4K microLED panels, which will pave the future for the Apple Vision Pro 2, which is said to enter mass production in 2027.