The iPhone 8 could be in for some delays if OLED display supplies prove to be unsufficient to address the demand by Apple in 2017. (Photo : Getty Images/Spencer Platt)
The iPhone 8 is expected to be the Apple flagship signaling the shift from TFT-LCD to OLED technology though there are matters to consider. Among them include the availability of stock which could cause delays for the redesigned smartphone.
A flexible OLED display has been widely speculated by critics with Apple reserving its best for the next iPhone rendition. Compared to Samsung and other smartphone manufacturers, the Cupertino company finds itself lagging behind in innovations to date.
All that stands to change in 2017 with major redesigns already hinted by the current generation of iPhone 7/ 7 Plus. Most are however interested in the shift to OLED display though the question of supply has yet again cropped up.
Apparently, it all boils down to the machines which would be responsible for OLED display production. Canon Tokki produces nearly all the machines for OLED displays and the concern right now is if Samsung has sufficient machines to deliver the displays to Apple to satisfy an expected boom in demand.
While the ELVES OLED machine seems to be more than capable to deliver, bottleneck issues have been singled out as problems which could hamper the delivery of the flexible OLED displays, Bloomberg reported.
To get a bigger picture, ELVES OLED machines are volume production systems used to deposit red, blue and green pixels on glass surfaces through the evaporation of organic materials, Mac Rumors reported. Samsung could add more machines but the fact that Canon Tokki makes fewer than 10 machines annually brings up some potential conflicts.
Samsung also makes use of OLED technology for its smartphones and now there are questions on whether they can adhere to delivering parts according to Apple’s demand. If so, the Cupertino company may need to add other suppliers to deliver displays to avoid potential delays in the release of the much-awaited flagship.
Apple is expected to release at least one model toting OLED display technology. This is believed to be the iPhone 8 which may invade the smartphone scene alongside a rumored iPhone 7s and 7s Plus in 2017.
Check out the latest rumors pertaining to the iPhone 8 via the video below.
