14 DAY TRIAL // Apple is planning to make the switch to OLED panels for the full iPhone lineup next year, according to a new report, whereas the iPhone 8 will be the only model migrating to the new display for the 2017 generation.
Nikkei writes that next year, Apple would launch 3 different iPhone models, just like in 2017, though the company will upgrade all of them to OLED. This year, the iPhone 8 is said to be the only model featuring such tech, while the iPhone 7s and 7s Plus would stick with IPS LCD as the existing generation.
Since we’re so far from the moment the iPhone 9 enters production, everything could change in the meantime, though rumors of OLED screens coming on all iPhone models have been swirling around the web for quite some time now.
Interestingly, there are also reports that Apple could launch two new sizes for the iPhone lineup next year, namely 5.28-inch and 6.46-inch.
Production struggles
Apple’s focus on OLED displays has increased lately, though the company experienced production delays due to the limited supply of its partners. Samsung, which is the sole manufacturer of OLED panels for the iPhone 8, is said to be struggling to align production with Apple’s demand, and this is very likely to lead to a small delay for the new model.
People close to the matter indicated that Apple is likely to take the wraps off the iPhone 8 at the September event, but instead start sales at a later time, most likely in October or November, as more units would be produced in the meantime.
The company is reportedly trying to make sure that OLED display production would run smoothly for the 2018 generation, so it has recently decided to invest in a new LG plant that would be specifically in charge of building panels for Apple.
The iPhone 8, which will be the first iPhone coming with an OLED screen, will launch in September this year alongside the iPhone 7s and 7s Plus.