Speculations are rife that Apple is working on an iPhone 8 model that will boast of curved OLED display and the latest reports indicate of existing prototypes having the same specifications. However, the next iPhone release date in 2017 is still unlikely to include OLED.
Sure an OLED-laced 2017 iPhone is in the works and is currently being tested, according to Business Insider, but the handset getting a commercial debut is a different story. "The Journal warns that the OLED iPhone could be scrapped before its expected launch next fall," the report added, citing The Wall Street Journal story it picked up.
In the same article, it was claimed that Apple engineers are now testing 10 iPhone prototypes, only three of which are expected to see the light of the day. This aligns with the resent research note issued by respected Apple watcher Ming-chi Kuo - that for next year there will be three iPhones with 4.7-inch, 5.5-inch and 5.8-inch screen profiles.
The biggest of the 2017 iPhones will have the honor of having an OLED front panel though according to the KGI analyst the device while supersized will only have 5.2-inch of active touchscreen area.
The 5.8-inch iPhone with OLED will also unbox with higher price tag as Business Insider said that the device is initially costlier to mass produce. Sharp Display is seen as among the chief suppliers of the material to Apple and the Japanese company has already projected investment of no less than $5 billion just to meet Apple's massive OLED orders, the report said, adding that Samsung is likely to win the bulk of Apple's OLED requirements for the next iPhone.
But while using OLED for the iPhone 8 in 2017 remains iffy, Apple is seen to give the green light for the gradual shift from LCD in the name of introducing innovation. According to MacRumors, the tech giant is likely willing to pay the extra $50 per unit in production cost as "OLED displays are thinner, lighter, and allow for flexible designs."
Additionally, OLED in the next iPhone will lead to extended operating hours. Per MacRumors: "OLED displays can also be more energy efficient, as unlike LCD displays, they do not require a backlight to illuminate the screen. When displaying black pixels, OLED displays are completely off, which could preserve battery life."
Seen as the model to mark the 10th anniversary of the brand, the iPhone 8 release date is said be pushed back a bit following report that Apple can only commence mass production of the device July or August 2017.