14 DAY TRIAL // The iPhone X might be selling below expectations, but Apple has big hopes for this year, as the company estimates the existing models, as well as the upcoming 2018 generation, will set a new sales record.
As a result, Apple plans to buy between 250 million and 270 million display panels for various iPhones, according to a report from Digitimes, and if it manages to sell all units, then it’s in for really strong performance. Selling 270 million iPhones would help Apple beat 2017 figures of 216 million iPhones, as well as the all-time record set in 2015 when it shipped a total of 231 million units.
But the report from Digitimes comes with some tidbits that could make many people wonder if the supplied information is indeed accurate or not.
Specifically, the source says Apple will purchase up to 130 million OLED displays this year, including 80 million units for the iPhone and an upgraded model expected to launch in the fall. Additionally, Apple also plans to purchase some 50 million 6.5-inch OLED panels “for the production of a less expensive model.”
New 2018 iPhones
Previously, it was believed the 6.5-inch iPhone would be a Plus-sized version of the iPhone X, while the more affordable model would come with a 6.1-inch panel and feature LCD instead of OLED.
The report says that 6.1-inch LCD displays will still be purchased and account for some 70 million units out of all orders, while a maximum of 70 million displays will be used for 4.0-, 4.7-, and 5.5-inch iPhones, like the iPhone 8, iPhone SE, and iPhone 7.
Apple’s next-generation iPhone lineup should see daylight in the fall, though there are rumors that the company could take the wraps off a new 4-inch iPhone SE sometime in the spring. No confirmation has been provided until now, though people familiar with the matter said that a second-generation iPhone SE was at least considered by Apple.