Korean publication ET News reports that Samsung will supply flexible OLED panels to Apple for future-generation iPhones. To grab this contract with Apple, Samsung is said to be investing heavily in its plants and equipment.
Industry sources speaking with ET News claim that Apple and Samsung have essentially reached an agreement that clearly indicates Apple will switch to flexible OLED displays for future iPhones.
Samsung will start receiving display panel orders next quarter, but to meet Apple’s demand it will need to invest up to $7.47 billion to increase production by 30,000 to 45,000 panels per month this year. This will be followed by an additional 45,000 panels next year, according to the contract, as mentioned by the sources.
As you may recall, rumours of Apple switching to OLED displays started gaining traction last year, but the recently leaked display assembly of an iPhone 7 suggests the switch won’t happen this year. But, of course, this should be taken with a grain of salt, like every other rumour, until confirmed.
Alongside Samsung, another rumoured manufacturer is AU Optronics, which is said to be receiving an injection of funds from Apple so as to be able to match Apple’s OLED display demand. Japan Display and LG are also on the list of possible OLED panel suppliers.
Rumours claim Apple will likely switch to OLED displays in 2018, and recent reports tend to show that manufacturers are moving toward increasing their OLED panel output. This could be easily understood as a signal for that switch.
