Samsung has reportedly begun OLED panel production for two of this fall’s iPhone models, including a 5.8-inch “iPhone X 2” and a 6.5-inch “iPhone X Plus.”
Early production should begin in May with Samsung doubling down in June per the Economic Daily News. The story also backed claims that Samsung would have to reactivate production for the task after temporary downtime related to iPhone X display inventory.
Samsung currently serves as Apple’s exclusive OLED supplier for the iPhone X and is the only company to keep pace with Apple’s demands. Apple is thought to be discussing terms with other suppliers, though it seems unlikely that they’ll become a majority supplier towards the company’s 2018 iPhone models.
The rumor mill has highlighted a possible 6.1-inch LCD model that could lose the home button and Touch ID and opt for face ID and an edge-to-edge display.
In 2016, Apple reportedly placed an order for more than a year’s worth of Samsung OLED panels worth some $4 billion. That may have been as much to secure inventory and good pricing as cope with anticipated demand.
Apple is also thought to be including a 5.8-inch iPhone X replacement model as well. The 6.5-inch “iPhone X Plus” was originally expected to have a panel manufactured by LG, but it was suggested when the rumors began that the South Korean firm might not be able to meet Apple’s production standards on time.
All 2018 iPhones are predicted to have logic boards built on substrate-like PCB (SLP) technologies first adopted by iPhone X and iPhone 8. The 5.8- and 6.5-inch OLED iPhone models will likely sport stacked board designs like iPhone X, while the 6.1-inch LCD model will stick to a traditional single-layer layout.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via AppleInsider and the Economic Daily News