Apple may introduce a radical new design for iPhone 8 to celebrate the iPhone's tenth anniversary in 2017. (Photo : Getty Images/Justin Sullivan)
Recently, rumors are surfacing online with Apple Inc's plan on replacing its traditional screen with the OLED displays for the next-gen iPhone 8 as part of a major design revamp. Analysts delved on Apple's latest 10-K filing, which hinted purchase orders on OLED displays in large quantities.
According to ValueWalk, investment firm JPMorgan reportedly investigated the tech giant's recent Securities and Exchange Commission 10-K filing, which the analysts believe to be related to the sourcing of OLED screens for the iPhone 8. Analysts found that Apple had placed purchase orders worth at least $4 billion on the OLED displays. The third-quarter 10-K filing has "off-balance sheet obligation" for the same amount.
Apple Watch and the newest MacBook Pro have already introduced the OLED technology, which is why the upcoming iPhone iteration could also receive the said display. Rumors continue with Sharp President's Tai Jeng-Wu talking to students at the University of Taiwan about future iPhones, suggesting that new devices will include OLED screen technology.
Today suggested that aside from the display change, the next iPhone flagship will introduce a revolutionary design, an all-glass build with the specs and display sandwiched in between. In addition, the iPhone 8 will sport a larger screen-to-body ratio by eliminating the home button, which will greatly expand the iPhone 8's display. The phone may even incorporate its Touch ID scanner into the display glass itself.
Other big specs and features to come are edge-to-edge display, fingerprint sensor, and home functionality. An augmented reality (AR) mapping system patent was also granted to Apple recently, which CEO Tim Cook believes to be bigger than virtual reality (VR).
Among the upcoming updates on the iPhone 8 will also include a long-distance wireless charging technology from Energous, which allows users to charge up to 15 feet distance. Apple's manufacturing partner Foxconn has been producing and testing wireless charging modules for the iPhone 8.
If the rumors on iPhone 8's OLED screen will materialize, renowned KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shared that the model will not arrive until 2019. However, the analyst dismissed the speculation that Apple is switching its LCD display as suppliers reportedly continue to invest in advanced LCD technology.
