According to an ETNews report (via 9to5Mac), Apple is said to have opted to use new touch-integrated flexible OLED displays in next year’s iPhones. These panels, which have a completely different construction as compared to the current iPhone displays, could reportedly allow the company to produce thinner and lighter iPhones in 2019.
The OLED panels used on current generation iPhones use a thick touch-sensitive layer atop the display itself whereas touch-sensitive OLED screens do not require an extra layer and can potentially allow devices to be noticeably thinner.
The source claims that the technology, dubbed ‘Y-Octa’, will be made by Samsung and should be ready for use next year. However, the report notes that initial supplies will be constrained, suggesting that the new displays might only be used in next year’s flagship model.
Samsung Display will supply touch-integrated flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED) panels to Apple’s iPhone. It is a Samsung OLED called ‘Y-OCTA’. It’s the first time Apple has applied touch-integrated displays to the iPhone […]
According to industry sources today, Apple decided to apply touch-integrated flexible OLED panels to the new iPhone and commissioned the development and manufacturing from Samsung Display. Samsung Display recently entered into partnerships with related companies to develop parts and materials to make the displays.
The report also notes that since the tech is expected to be cheaper than a separate touch-sensitive layer, it will most likely be rolled out into all iPhone models as production capacity increases.
