14 DAY TRIAL // The iPhone 7 might not be the iPhone of your dreams, but Apple seems to be working hard to make sure that the next-generation one will certainly be mind-blowing. Starting with the overall design and the materials used, Apple plans to make some drastic changes for the upcoming iPhone.
According to previous rumors, the next-generation iPhone will feature a “glass sandwich” design, but another improvement could be the addition of an OLED panel. Currently, Apple uses LTPS (low-temperature poly-silicon) panels inside its iPhones, so the switch to OLED could be a major change for the Cupertino-based company.
However, in order for this change to happen, Apple will need loads of OLED panels since the iPhones usually sell by the millions.
Sharp is one of Apple's display suppliers, so we could say that the following information comes from a very reliable source.
Sharp announced it would ramp up production of OLED panels
It appears that Sharp's newly appointed CEO, Tai Jeng-wu, made some interesting remarks towards Apple's future plans for the next-generation iPhone. Tai was holding a speech earlier this week in front of the students at his alma mater Tatung University, when he had the following to say about the iPhone:
“The iPhone has been evolving and now it is switching from LTPS (low-temperature poly-silicon) to OLED panels. We don't know whether Apple's OLED iPhones will be a hit, but if Apple doesn't walk down this path and transform itself, there will be no innovation. It is a crisis but it is also an opportunity.”
The official went on to confirm that Sharp plans to build a new OLED facility in Japan, but that his company could start manufacturing OLED panels in the United States if required.
Rumors about Apple launching a next-generation iPhone with a flexible OLED display date from back August, but Sharp's CEO is the first official to confirm this possibility.