2017 iPhone News: Samsung to Exlusively Supply Apple with OLED Panels For iPhone 8 [Video]
It is not every day that people hear the news about two close competitors working together. With Apple reportedly needing assistance in its bid to produce devices with curved surfaces, the report may indeed be true.
The Cupertino-based tech company is set to make a breakthrough in 2017 as its product lines intend to unveil the first iPhones with curved surfaces. In line with this, observers and enthusiasts have been curious about Samsung's inclusion on the parts supplier list.
Sources divulge that Apple will be ditching the 'S' series of their units. This means that the upcoming flagship will be getting a new name and it will likely be the iPhone 8.
It is being eyed that the next iOS-driven item will be equipped with thinner organic light-emitting displays (OLEDs). Apple is hoping that the resolution will be better than those installed on Samsung products.
Although the approach will definitely boost the next iPhone's marketability, the costs associated with the production will also be high. If the tech group pursues its plan to integrate the OLED, it will join tech organizations like Samsung, OnePlus, Huawei and Xiaomi in replacing the traditional liquid-crystal displays (LCDs).
Considering the need for more OLED units, Apple's unlikely supplier is also its biggest competitor. The South Korean group has a subsidiary called Samsung Display that has the capability to mass produce OLED components.
In order to lessen its dependability on one company, the Tim Cook-led organization is also looking elsewhere for help. It is reportedly eyeing manufacturers like LG Display, Sharp and Japan Display to address its needs.
However, judging from its goal to keep the iPhone components flexible, the plan to retain LCDs is still on the table. The truth is another company is set to focus on making sophisticated LCD panels.
Compared to glass surfaces, the full active LCD displays also offer better image quality. With Apple planning to ditch the home button and incorporate the front-facing camera into the screen, the OLED can be a concern since it does not fully support total functionality of the involved elements.
Since the Cupertino-headquartered tech giant proposes to launch three models of the iPhone 8 next year, it is highly likely that both display panels will be utilized. Aside from the 5.8-inch OLED-equipped device, the 4.7-inch and the 5.5-inch items will be depicting the LCD forms.
