14 DAY TRIAL // Apple’s 2018 trio of iPhones will exclusively use OLED panels and an LCD version is no longer in the works, according to a new report.
Previously, it was believed that Apple’s new iPhone generation would come with a more affordable iPhone featuring LCD in order to keep the price as low as possible. This device was also supposed to launch without more premium features like wireless charging and 3D Touch.
But Reuters today reveals that “Apple recently started planning new iPhone models and decided all three models would have organic light-emitting diode panels.” The news comes via South Korea’s Electronic Times, which in its turn cites several industry sources.
While the South Korean publication has a mixed track on Apple scoops, Apple pushing the entire iPhone lineup to OLED appears to be a logical decision for Japanese investors.
6.1-inch OLED iPhone
Japan Display, the company that builds LCD panels for the iPhone, recorded a 10 percent share drop following news of Apple going all-in on OLED. Needless to say, if this plan goes forward, Japan Display can record a massive decline, as its production shrinks substantially since the LCD panels would remain exclusive to older iPhone models.
Apple has obviously remained tight-lipped on such news because as per the company’s policy, no comments are offered on speculation regarding future products.
The 2018 iPhone lineup will also include a direct successor to the 5.8-inch iPhone X, as well as a larger model with a 6.5-inch display likely to launch as iPhone X Plus.
Earlier this week, an alleged leak showing what seemed to an iPhone panel indicated this was “an iPhone X 6.1 OLED,” raising questions over Apple’s plans regarding its more affordable LCD model. Following today’s news, there’s a chance the leak was accurate, as Apple would no longer be interested in building an LCD iPhone but migrate entirely to OLED for this year’s generation.
UPDATE: A new report claims this change could happen next year, so there's a slight possibility that the 2018 lineup might still include a more affordable LCD version.