Apple has pursued a supply chain diversification strategy that procures two or three different suppliers in each component category including display panels. According to a new report by market research firm DisplaySearch, a total of three panel suppliers, including Japan Display, Sharp, and LG Display, are supplying display panels for Apple's iPhone 6.

Who was the number one display panel supplier for the iPhone 6 in Q1? Japan Display by supplying 25.2 million panels and grabbing the highest pie of 35.9 percent in iPhone panel shipments. Following Japan Display are Korea's LG Display with 34.5 percent or 24.2 million panels and Sharp with 29.6 percent or 20.8 million panels.

In the first and second quarters of last year, Sharp commanded the largest share of 38.8 percent and 49.4 percent. Sharp, however, was then overtaken by Japan Display in the third quarter of last year. Since then, Japan Display has maintained its leading position. There was a sketchy rumor in February that Apple might be investing in a new display plant with Japan Display.

LG Display saw its share reach 28.8 percent in the first quarter of last year, 13.2 percent in the second quarter, 30 percent in the third quarter and 32.6 percent in the fourth. LG is also the exclusive supplier of displays for the Apple Watch.

Japan Display's shipment to Apple stood at just 47 percent of its total shipments of 32.82 million units. Their second largest customer is Xiaomi which accounted for 19.9 percent of its total shipments.

With LG gaining ground quickly, did Japan Display hang on as the leading iPhone display supplier in the second quarter? Only time will tell.

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