Samsung Display and LG Display Expected to Supply OLEDs For New iPhones
The next-generation iPhones are expected to use OLEDs supplied by South Korean display manufacturers Samsung Display and LG Display.
Set for release new in the fall of 2020, the new iPhone models will be available in 5.4-inch, 6.1-inch, and 6.7-inch versions, packed with OLEDs made by Samsung Display and LG Display, according to industry sources quoted by ETNews.com. While Chinese BOE has also attracted interest, South Korean display manufacturers are expected to remain the sole OLED suppliers of Apple. BOE has participated in projects for the development of iPhones. However slow progress in development and low production yield are said to force Apple to opt-in for the South Koreans instead.
It is likely that the number of the models for the entire 2020 iPhone range to be more than four, as Apple is also planning to release a 5G model.
Samsung Display will most probably supply the of 5.4-inch and 6.7-inch on-cell touch flexible OLED panels, which feature a built-in touch function. The touch sensor is placed on top of the thin film encapsulation inside of the panel.
Because on-cell touch OLED panels do not require a separate film, they allow te development of thinner and cheaper to produce displays.
Samsung Display has already commercialized its on-cell touch OLED panels, which feature the company's ‘Y-OCTA’ technology.
The 6.1-inch OLED panels are said to be supplied by both Samsung Display and LG Display, since the 6.1-inch OLED panel will reportedly not be on-cell touch OLED panels.
LG Display can also manufacture on-cell touch OLED panels. However, its technology is said to be inferior of that of Samsung Display's in terms of quality and productivity.
Apple is also said to have chosen LG Display to be a supplier of 6.1-inch film touch method-based OLED panels.