Nokia reportedly dropping Samsung as component supplier amongst rumors of theft

Reports that Nokia is dropping component maker Samsung from future orders have started circulating today. The rumor has two aspects two it: one, that Nokia is effectively moving away from Samsung for displays, memory chips and other internals and two, the move is inspired by unofficial allegations of design theft.

The story comes via Apple Insider who note that Apple is considering doing the same, especially since those two companies have been battling it out in court. During one of the trials, evidence that Samsung’s component manufacturing business (which is separate from the smartphone arm) was copying Apple’s designs came forth, shinning more bad light on the massive Korean manufacture. It’s with that same background that Nokia is evidently considering a similar move.

By now, our readers should be quite familiar with the accusations that Samsung takes liberties with competitors’ designs. Apple Insider, quoting an “individual familiar with Nokia's component orders from Samsung” claims:

"The 'firewall' between component sales and smartphones [at Samsung] is about as sturdy as a pile of kimchee." Noting that Samsung has "a record of getting orders for next-gen components, then canceling the orders. And then they show up in a Samsung phone. When you see a Samsung (certain specialized new design for) OLED phone as you surely will, you are looking at something that was stolen from Nokia."

Ouch. That quote is unofficial but it is certainly bold enough to raise an eyebrow. Although we shouldn’t replace actual facts with folk sayings in Samsung’s case the adage “where there’s smoke…” does seem to resonate well.

It’s not too clear what Samsung components Nokia relies besides their occasional use of AMOLED screens. Indeed, the Nokia Lumia 920 eschewed the popular display technology most likely due to PureMotion (high refresh rate), which was not compatible. However the Lumia 8xx series for Windows Phone 8 does rely on those display types, presumably from Samsung.

With Nokia heading further and further down the road of unique and proprietary designs for their technology, it would make sense that the struggling Finnish company would want to steer clear of competitors, especially those with such questionable practices as Samsung.

Source: Apple Insider