Report claims Apple looking for punch-hole display suppliers

Dec 21, 2021 14:23 GMT  ·  By

Apple’s next-generation iPhone lineup is projected to land in the fall with several pretty big changes, as some people familiar with the matter indicate the Cupertino-based tech giant is finally prepared to kill off the notch on some models.

First and foremost, some background.

We’ve known for a while that Apple was aiming for a future without a notch, but the only question was when exactly this could finally happen.

As it turns out, the answer is 2022, though it’ll only take place partially in the iPhone lineup. This is because Apple will continue to offer the notch on two of the iPhone 14 devices, namely the iPhone 14 and the iPhone 14 Max (the 6.1-inch iPhone mini replacement to debut next year).

The notch, however, will go away on the iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max, and instead, the Cupertino-based tech giant will use a punch-hole display similar to the one on the Samsung Galaxy S models. This means Face ID and the rest of the front-facing components would be integrated right into the glass, therefore allowing Apple to offer an increased screen estate.

iPhone 14 to launch in September

A new report from Business Korea indicates that Apple is already discussing with several companies on the production of such displays, including Samsung Display, LG Display, and BOW. Samsung obviously has the know-how to meet this requirement given it’s also supplying the punch-hole panels for its own devices, while LG Display would have to start such a design from scratch.

BOE has what it takes to become a punch-hole display supplier for Apple, but the aforementioned source says the company’s OLED tech is considered inferior to the one of its rivals.

No matter what partner Apple would eventually pick, the transition to a punch-hole display seems to be just a matter of time. The new iPhone 14 lineup will land in the fall of 2022.