Apple’s Choice
Samsung Electronics’ bendable organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels are likely to be supplied to Apple’s new flagship smartphone.
Apple has ordered 70 million bendable OLED panels from Samsung Electronics for the next iPhone, the Nikkei Asian Review said on April 4.
Considering additional orders from Apple, the Korean smartphone maker is preparing to produce up to 95 million OLED panels. Most of the panels are expected to be supplied to Apple’s new flagship smartphones tentatively named the iPhone 8, which will be launched in the second half of this year.
The Japanese media said that there is a possibility that some of the 70 million handsets will not be delivered to customers this year and shipped next year, depending on the market demand. Besides, there have been rumors the next iPhone will be equipped with foldable OLED screens.
According to some market observers, Apple will unveil three iPhone models with different sizes on the 10th anniversary of the Apple. The new iPhones will feature water protection, face recognition and wireless charging.
9 to 5Mac, the media specialized in Apple, said Apple has tried to reduce the dependence on Samsung, but the US-based smartphone maker cannot help choosing Samsung that has the most advanced OLED technology.
Apple has stuck with LCDs for its iPhone and iPad lineups while Samsung Electronics has equipped its smartphones with OLED panels that offer many design options for device manufacturers as well as allow excellent color reproduction and low power consumption.
Samsung Electronics is the only company that holds the technologies to mass produce small OLED panels used mainly for smart portable devices such as smartphones. Samsung Display dominates the small and medium OLED panel market with a share of more than 90 percent.