Redmi K70 Supreme Edition's "Screen Mixing": How Long Will the Phone Industry Keep Playing the "Screen Lottery"?

Redmi K70 Supreme Edition's "Screen Mixing": How Long Will the Phone Industry Keep Playing the "Screen Lottery"?The Redmi K70 Supreme Edition, a phone carrying high expectations, has sparked debate even before its launch due to the issue of "screen mixing." Redmi General Manager Wang Teng admitted on social media that the Redmi K70 Supreme Edition will use Huaxing screens for the first three months, after which screens from other suppliers will be introduced

Redmi K70 Supreme Edition's "Screen Mixing": How Long Will the Phone Industry Keep Playing the "Screen Lottery"?

The Redmi K70 Supreme Edition, a phone carrying high expectations, has sparked debate even before its launch due to the issue of "screen mixing." Redmi General Manager Wang Teng admitted on social media that the Redmi K70 Supreme Edition will use Huaxing screens for the first three months, after which screens from other suppliers will be introduced. This move not only raised concerns among netizens but also brought the long-standing issue of "screen mixing" in the phone industry back into the spotlight.

Is "screen mixing" a necessary evil for manufacturers, or a cost-cutting measure that amounts to "cutting corners"? How can consumers avoid the "lottery" of buying a phone with an inferior screen? This article delves into the behind-the-scenes story of "screen mixing" in the phone industry.

The History of "Screen Mixing": From Huawei P30 Pro to iPhone 15

"Screen mixing" is not a new phenomenon. In the early days of the digital world, domestic screens were considered inferior to foreign ones. However, in the high-end smartphone market, cases of mixing "foreign screens" and "domestic screens" have frequently occurred.

In 2019, the Huawei P30 Pro, priced at 6288 yuan, chose dual suppliers for its screen: LG and BOE. Without clear labeling, consumers couldn't know the origin of the screen in their phones, leading to controversy.

Xiaomi also publicly admitted to using a "screen mixing" strategy in 2020 with the launch of the Mi 10, initially using Samsung screens for a few months, and then switching to Huaxing. This mirrors the current situation with the Redmi K70 Supreme Edition, raising questions about Xiaomi's "consistent approach."

More surprisingly, Apple, the "big brother" of the phone industry, has been increasingly embracing "screen mixing." Since the early LCD screen era, iPhones have already used screens from multiple suppliers like Sharp, JDI, and LG. The iPhone 13 series introduced an additional five screens from Samsung and LG, with varying screen quality. The iPhone 15 series, released last year, also caused a stir due to "screen mixing", even becoming a trending topic on Weibo.

Why Are Manufacturers So Keen on "Screen Mixing"?

On the surface, "screen mixing" in the phone industry seems like a "necessary evil." However, manufacturers have their own compelling reasons for doing so.

1. Supply Chain Stability and Security:

For phone manufacturers with massive sales volumes, a single supplier's production capacity cannot meet the entire sales cycle. Take iPhones, for example. New releases often sell out quickly, leaving many users waiting in line. This is partly due to Apple using multiple suppliers for screens.

To manage potential supply shortages, manufacturers choose multiple suppliers for their supply chain, ensuring its stability.

2. Preventing Malicious Competition:

Samsung Display is the world's largest and most advanced screen supplier, while Samsung phones are the top-selling smartphone brand globally. The relationship between the two is complex. In the early days, the Huawei Mate9 Pro used Samsung screens but faced a shortage six months after its release. Some analysts believe Samsung restricted screen supply.

To prevent similar situations, Huawei began employing a dual-supplier strategy with Samsung and BOE, guaranteeing an uninterrupted supply of screens.

3. Reducing Procurement Costs:

Phone manufacturers and suppliers engage in a complex game of negotiation. How can a manufacturer both obtain high-quality components from top suppliers and keep the overall cost of the phone under control? "Screen mixing" becomes an effective solution.

When manufacturers use multiple suppliers, the procurement ratio is determined based on the suppliers' quotes. To secure more orders, suppliers compete on price, leading to lower overall procurement costs for manufacturers.

Behind the "Screen Mixing" in Redmi K70 Supreme Edition:

The switch to other suppliers for the Redmi K70 Supreme Edition after three months primarily aims to reduce costs and create room for potential price drops. For these price-competitive models, buying early offers users better hardware, while buying later provides a lower price point.

How to Check the Screen Supplier of Your Phone:

Not all manufacturers, like Redmi, will disclose "screen mixing" in advance. If there is no clear information, how can consumers determine the origin of the screen in their phones?

For Vivo and iQOO Phones:

• In the dialer, enter "225," which will take you to a backend page. Scroll down to find the "LCMID" entry. Codes ending in numbers generally indicate a BOE screen, while those ending in letters are supplied by Visionox.

For OPPO, OnePlus, and Realme Phones:

Repeatedly tap "Build Number" in Settings to access the "Developer options." Within "Developer options," tap "Error reporting" and choose "Full report."

After a few minutes, you will receive a detailed report in the drop-down menu. Save the report and open the document to search for the keyword "display0." For example, if the keyword is followed by "tm," it indicates the screen is from "Tianma."

For Xiaomi Phones, you can enter "284" in the dialer to directly view the report.

If the code ends with "38," it means the screen is from Samsung, while "42" indicates Huaxing.

Similar methods exist for checking other brands, and you can find them through online searches.

The Drawbacks of "Screen Mixing": Consumer Rights Affected

While manufacturers emphasize that they calibrate screens from different suppliers to ensure consistency, differences still exist. For example, Samsung screens have higher color accuracy, BOE screens consume less power, and Huaxing screens offer better display performance.

For consumers, this means spending the same amount on a phone but potentially experiencing significant variations in screen quality. This undeniably compromises consumer rights.

Conclusion: Calling for Greater Transparency from Manufacturers

"Screen mixing" has become a common practice in the phone industry, driven by both objective and subjective factors. However, while pursuing profit maximization, manufacturers should prioritize consumer rights and provide upfront, transparent information about "screen mixing." This will reduce the information gap during the purchase process and prevent consumers from engaging in a "lottery" when buying a phone.

We hope this article has provided you with a deeper understanding of "screen mixing" in the phone industry and helped you learn how to check your phone's screen to ensure you're getting your money's worth. After all, spending a significant amount on a new phone should be about enjoying a smooth and satisfying experience.