What Display Daily thinks: Apart from these ridiculously clickbait-y titles I come up with, the Apple HomePod is kind of like a small TV but without any of the fun. Maybe Apple has megalophobia when it comes to thinking about screen size.
BYD is an extraordinary company by any stretch because it can do almost anything and it kind of lies at the center of an electronics industry that is increasingly revolving around batteries before any other component. Building an EV, building a laptop, a smartphone, all are pretty much the same. I am sure that will rile some purists, but they kind of are. Sorry.
BYD and Tianma getting the HomePod business suggests that Apple probably knows that given a few months, and some sucking up to the new regime, America First policies and tariffs will probably be manageable and there are very, very few options for US technology companies besides a reliance on Chinese supply chains.
Is this a sign that we may be overestimating the threat of tariffs on China? Well, there’s a whole world, including China, of consumers outside of North America. Then, there’s the fact that a new administration in the US is more than likely going to be transactional and will not want to hurt some of the most powerful companies, and their backers, provided they get some due deference.
Apple could have made a TV. But, whatever. What will no doubt be a premium priced simulacrum of Amazon or Google home hubs is a step in that direction, right?
Why I harp on about an Apple TV t is anyone’s guess, but putting that aside, if you want to read the runes of this announcement, it augurs well for Chinese supply chains, and Chinese display companies. All this talk of sanctions and tariffs may be just motivation for Chinese companies to get even more aggressive in pursuit of market share. Maybe Korea will have another bout of martial law to channel resources into OLED utilization rates.
Oh, I remember why I keep saying maybe Apple could make a TV. It’s a no brainer. A HomePod falls between a smartphone and a TV in the Apple product line. I don’t get it.
BYD and Tianma: Key Players in Apple’s Supply Chain
BYD Company Limited (“Build Your Dreams”) and Tianma have solidified their positions as key partners in Apple’s supply chain, according to influencer-analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. BYD is the exclusive assembler of Apple’s new screen-equipped HomePod, while Tianma is the sole supplier of its display panels.
Founded in 1995 by Wang Chuanfu (a man who Warren Buffet refers to as a once in a generation business leader), BYD began as a manufacturer of rechargeable batteries and has evolved into a diversified conglomerate. BYD Auto, its automotive division launched in 2003, has become a global leader in EVs, selling over 3 million new energy vehicles in 2023 and surpassing competitors like Tesla. The company’s vertical integration, including its subsidiary FinDreams Battery, which ranks as the world’s second-largest EV battery producer, has been key to its success. In consumer electronics, BYD Electronics assembles approximately 30% of Apple’s iPads and has recently expanded its role to assemble the new HomePod.
Tianma has entered the Apple ecosystem as the exclusive supplier of display panels for the HomePod. This marks a significant milestone for Tianma. Beyond its collaboration with Apple, Tianma is a leader in smartphone display technology, particularly in the OLED segment. As the Chinese smartphone market is projected to rebound with 2–4% annual growth by 2025, Tianma’s increasing market share positions the company for a strong operational outlook.
