New Report Suggests A Curved iPhone Is In The Works
A new report has been added to previous ones, claiming that Apple's 2017 iPhone lineup might include a model with a curved screen similar to Samsung's Edge devices.
The Wall Street Journal's sources in Apple's supplier chain told the paper that they were asked to "increase output of thinner organic light emitting displays and submit prototype screens with better resolution than ones from Samsung."
But with that in mind, the company is also reportedly considering more than 10 prototypes, so a curved display might not make it to market.
Previous rumors suggested that Apple's new phones would include OLED displays and that the 2017 iPhone lineup will include three devices: two 5.5-inch models differentiated by their displays, and a 4.7-inch model. The larger models may include dual cameras.
Analysts estimate that the additional manufacturing cost of an OLED iPhone could lead to Apple seeking to recoup the cost through a higher retail price for that model.
Apple may also plan to restrict OLED to a relatively small proportion of iPhones is because it is hoping to use non-Samsung suppliers for the display panels.
Apple has been relying on LG Display, Japan Display and Sharp for supply of its retina displays, which use LCD technology. But LG Display, Japan Display, and Sharp are behind Samsung when it comes to OLED investment. Besides Samsung, the three companies are not expected to be producing OLED screens at high volumes until 2018.