LG aims at ramping up curved OLED production amid rumors of iPhone plans

LG Display is reportedly planning to increase its manufacturing capacity for curved OLED displays, in a move that may back rumors the company will help Apple produce its first OLED-equipped iPhone.

LG is looking to achieve 75,000 substrates per month at 6G facilities in the first half of 2017, South Korea's ET News said on Tuesday, quoted by DigiTimes. That should bolster the company's current 4.5G facilities, which churn out 20,000 substrates a month.

Separate reports have indicated that Samsung and AU Optronics will also be joining in OLED production for Apple. Samsung is allegedly planning to spend up to $7.47 billion on improving capacity — kicking into high gear in 2017 — while AU Optronics may be receiving an investment from Apple to join OLED supplier ranks.

Apple isn't expected to use OLEDs in 2016 iPhone models, or likely even in 2017 models either. The earliest possible date is believed to be 2018, though even 2019 may be a possibility.

OLED offers several advantages over the LTPS panels in current iPhones, such as flexibility, but is more expensive to produce — especially considering the lack of OLED capacity among Asian suppliers.

15 Comments

bobschlob 11 Years · 1074 comments

About 8 years ago

Why do I keep reading on the interwebs that these are "curved" OLEDs, when (as I understand it) they are actually "flexible" OLEDs?
Or do I have it wrong?

thewhitefalcon 10 Years · 4444 comments

If the capacity will be ready in 2017, then I would peg it for the 7S. No need in having all that capability just sitting around.

Maybe I'll go with the iPhone Upgrade Program this time around.

Soli 9 Years · 9981 comments

This is for the inside of the windshield of the Car¡

foggyhill 10 Years · 4767 comments

bobschlob said:

Why do I keep reading on the interwebs that these are "curved" OLEDs, when (as I understand it) they are actually "flexible" OLEDs?
Or do I have it wrong?

I think it's flexible... But saying "curved" is sexier. They're potentially curved :-).
It's probably because their greatest use now is in those curved TV's.

jason98 14 Years · 768 comments

foggyhill said:

I think it's flexible... But saying "curved" is sexier. They're potentially curved :-).
It's probably because their greatest use now is in those curved TV's.

BTW, curved TVs are not welcomed by most of videophiles despite Samsung's attempts to position them as premium.
LG in turn announced only flat OLED models (G6 and E6) in the ultra premium and premium segments, and just one curved model at a lower price level.

http://televisions.reviewed.com/news/lg-2016-tv-lineup?utm_source=spikes&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=collab