In View of Reliance on Samsung
Japan-based Nikkei Asian Review reported on December 7 that Apple is planning to release a new iPhone equipped with an LCD panel next year.
According to the news, the new iPhone is likely to have a 6.1-inch LCD panel along with a metal case to which various colors can be applied and Apple may also release new iPhones adopting 6.3-inch and 5.8-inch OLED panels.
The iPhone X, which celebrates the 10th anniversary of the iPhone, is the first phone of Apple coming with an OLED panel. However, the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus still use LCD panels.
Apple’s sticking to LCD panels is expected to be welcome news for Asian LCD panel suppliers such as Sharp and Japan Display. At present, Samsung Display is the sole supplier of OLED panels for use in iPhones, and Apple is likely to stick to LCD panels until it finds a new partner to supply OLED panels.
In the meantime, market research firm WitsView said that Apple’s high reliance on Samsung is quite risky because it means Apple’s plans can be exposed to rival companies. “LG Display’s flexible OLED panel supply volume for next year is estimated to stand at 10 million units and BOE Technology, Japan Display and Sharp are unlikely to be capable of supplying Apple with OLED panels next year,” the firm added.