Conflicting rumors peg the 2017 iPhone refresh to boast OLED screens in just the "iPhone 8," or the high-end model and in the "iPhone 7s," or in nothing at all. AppleInsider examines the technology, and discusses why — or why not — it may make an appearance later in the year.
Sources familiar with the matter have confirmed that Sharp is investing 1 trillion yen into OLED screen production, more than a month after reports circulated that it was planning to do so.
A new analyst report sheds some doubt on the "super cycle" concept because of a probable limit in OLED screen supply, suggesting that the pent-up demand for a revolutionary iPhone incorporating the flexible screens will only be sated after a few years — which will boost AAPL over the long term.
By shrinking components inside of its next-generation flagship iPhone, Apple apparently plans to squeeze a Plus-sized battery into a smaller form factor, new details reveal.
Possibly adding to a 2016 deal, a report from South Korea has emerged claiming that Apple has entered into a $4.3 billion contract with Samsung for 60 million 5-inch OLED screens potentially destined for a next-generation iPhone.
Analysts predict that recent reorganizational efforts and a financial assist by the Japanese government for Apple supplier Japan Display, the prime supplier of iPhone screens, may not matter much if Apple does in fact shift to OLED screens in the "iPhone 8" and future models.
Two supply chain reports, one from an analyst and one from a purported parts supplier, make different clams about the manufacturing start date of Apple's feature-laden anniversary "iPhone 8." But there has been no serious indication thus far that Apple will stray from its typical annual September launch window.
Worried that Apple will monopolize OLED supply capacity for this year's "iPhone 8," a number of smartphone vendors are said to be racing to secure some that capacity for their own OLED products.
Foxconn-owned Sharp is reportedly planning to invest 100 billion yen, or about $864 million U.S., into setting up an OLED production line, amidst expectations that Apple's "iPhone 8" will switch from LCD display technology to OLED.
Apple's supply chain has huge expectations for the anticipated flagship 2017 iPhone, projecting as many as 70 million shipments next year for the all-new design, rumored to feature a 5.8-inch AMOLED display.
One of Apple's iPhone suppliers, Japan Display, is reportedly receiving a $636 million bailout from its biggest shareholder, the Japanese government-backed Innovation Network Corp.
A Sunday report reaffirmed claims that next year's "iPhone 8" will come in separate OLED and LCD versions, with all of the OLED models sporting curved displays.
LG Display has picked up Apple, Google, and Microsoft as some of the first customers for foldable OLED displays it plans to put into mass production in 2018, a Korean report claimed on Friday.
iPhone sales in the second half of 2017 could reach a massive 150 million units, as Apple suppliers are gearing up for a massive upgrade cycle set to outperform the iPhone 6 series, based on pent-up demand for new designs and new technology, like wireless charging.
Apple is said to be exploring more than 10 potential prototype models in anticipation of next year's 10th anniversary of the iPhone, with the company eyeing an OLED-display curved "iPhone 8" for launch in 2017.
Apple is widely expected to introduce a new premium iPhone model in 2017 featuring an all-new design and OLED display, but the screen will be sized somewhere in between the current iPhone and iPhone Plus, according to one well-connected insider.
A report late Wednesday reconfirms rumors of an OLED iPhone variant anticipated to debut in 2017, noting the advanced display technology might be limited to higher-end models as panel manufacturers currently lack the ability to handle Apple's expectedly large order volume.
With Apple apparently gearing up to launch three new iPhones next year, two-thirds of them will include dual-lens camera designs, though users who prefer the 4.7-inch form factor will reportedly be out of luck.
A new analyst report tells investors to expect both 5- and 5.8-inch curved, bezel-free iPhones in the future, after visiting production lines and suppliers in China.
An investment firm has delved deeply into Apple's most recent Securities and Exchange Commission 10-K filing, and sees purchase orders extending over one year in duration which suggests to them that Apple is in the middle of a big OLED buy from Samsung — the main supplier of the technology.
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Mike Wuerthele
Neil Hughes
Roger Fingas
AppleInsider Staff
Mikey Campbell
