An all-glass and bezel-free render of the iPhone 8 with OLED curved display and wireless charging that Apple is expected to release 2H 2017 (Photo : YouTube/iCrackUriDevice)
New evidence appears to support the rumors that in time for the iPhone 8 release date in fall of 2017 Apple will switch from LCD to the considered more superior OLED or AMOLED display. The proof was gleaned from the recent SEC filing of the tech giant that showed future purchases of OLED material worth a staggering $4 billion.
The fresh details, according to Apple Insider, were courtesy of investment firm J.P. Morgan's recent peek on Apple's SEC 10K filing. The document reportedly revealed juicy information on Apple's future initiatives but one that caught the eye is the planned wholesale orders of OLED display that will amount to billions of dollars.
As part of the tech giant's upcoming capital expenditure to the tune of $16 billion, a sizeable amount has been allocated to the acquisition of the OLED panel technology and its use on existing and future Apple devices. Of note is that OLED's not really new to the Apple supply as the Apple Watch and the Touch Bar on the new MacBook Pro 2016 make use of the material.
However, the $4 billion worth of contracts that Apple will award to suppliers far exceed the OLED requirements of both products. The only logical guess is that the massive OLED panel purchases are intended for the company's flagship handset for next year - the iPhone 8.
Speculations are rife that the iPhone maker will jump to OLED, which is fast becoming the panel standard for flagship smartphones, as the screen material is known to render display with better color sharpness and enhanced brightness but with more efficient use of battery juice. And the billions worth of OLED deliveries appear to support such plan.
Apple Insider said that the SEC document pointed to Samsung Display as Apple's chief partner on the project. Samsung is the first company to mass produce handsets with the material - up to its latest flagship offering of Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge that panel is in use and known as Super AMOLED.
But the report noted too that Apple will also source its iPhone OLED requirements from other key suppliers and among the names mentioned are Japan Display, LG and Sharp. It is understood though that the bulk of the OLED orders will ship South Korea and specifically from Samsung.
Rumors have it that for 2017, Apple will skip the S phase of its usual release cycle and push for the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus release date. When unboxed, the devices are expected to boast of an all-glass front and rear panel with aluminum or stainless framing. The major iPhone redesign is said to mark the brand's 10th anniversary.
