Mikey Campbell
A new report claims Apple is meting out display orders for its next-generation iPhone lineup, which is rumored to include two OLED versions — 5.8 and 6.5 inches — and a 6.1-inch LCD variant.
Without citing sources, the China Times reports Apple will rely on Samsung for its OLED iPhone panel needs in 2018, similar to last year's iPhone X supply strategy. Currently, Apple orders OLED displays from Samsung and LG, the latter of which provides parts for Apple Watch.
Earlier this month, reports claimed LG, Sharp and Japan Displayare all gunning to join Apple's OLED iPhone production roster this year, though the firms' production capabilities have yet to be maximized. LG, thought to have the greatest potential of becoming a secondary OLED iPhone display supplier, is aiming for full production capacity in 2019, while Foxconn-owned Sharp began investing in manufacturing assets last March.
Apple is rumored to introduce a successor model to the 5.8-inch iPhone X alongside a plus-sized 6.5-inch version as part of its annual iPhone refresh cycle later this year. A 6.1-inch LCD iPhone is rumored to sit between the two models, and like its OLED siblings will feature an edge-to-edge display and Face ID technology.
According to today's report, Japan Display will supply 18:9 LCD panels for the 6.1-inch smartphone, with LG pitching in. General Interface Solution and TPK Holding are said to be supplying touch panel modules for the LCD iPhone. Rumors last year pegged both GIS and TPK as thin-film suppliers for iPhone X.
Japanese blog Mac Otakara reported on the latest iPhone supply rumors earlier today.
Rumors of this year's iPhone trio began to circulate shortly after iPhone X and iPhone 8 debuted last September.
Most recently, noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he believes Apple will opt to discontinue iPhone X in 2018 to maintain a consistent premium product mentality. The company normally keeps the preceding year's Phone in its lineup, dropping the price to present consumers with a cheaper purchasing option.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
8 Comments
I love the look and feel of the iPhone X. But the mockup of the iPhone 4/ 5 flattish chassis looks very nice.
So my iPhone X will become a dinosaur later this year.
Bring on the 6.5" OLED iPhone.
The big question will be: Once they introduce a full screen, FaceID, LCD phone, how will that impact their OLED phones?
Currently the X has a number of advantages over the 8:
1) A higher quality display
2) Potentially improved power management
3) Improved ratio of screen size to external form size.
Once #3 applies equally to both a OLED and LCD based phones, will the remaining first 2 differences be enough to offset the price differential of an OLED screen?
But, the bigger question is: What the hell are they going to call the new phones? 9/11?
... The X certainly jacked up their naming conventions.
...... Or will they skip the 9 and go straight to 11 for all non-SE phones -- and then different with a letter?
Part of the answer might be if the OLED phone begins to carry functional differences in addition to the screen -- much like the iPad and iPad Pro.