Supply chain rumors again point to OLED and LCD iPhone models in 2018

Posted:
in iPhone edited January 2018
A new report claims Apple is meting out display orders for its next-generation iPhone lineup, which is rumored to include two OLED versions -- 5.8 and 6.5 inches -- and a 6.1-inch LCD variant.


2018 iPhone mockups by Curved.


Without citing sources, the China Times reports Apple will rely on Samsung for its OLED iPhone panel needs in 2018, similar to last year's iPhone X supply strategy. Currently, Apple orders OLED displays from Samsung and LG, the latter of which provides parts for Apple Watch.

Earlier this month, reports claimed LG, Sharp and Japan Displayare all gunning to join Apple's OLED iPhone production roster this year, though the firms' production capabilities have yet to be maximized. LG, thought to have the greatest potential of becoming a secondary OLED iPhone display supplier, is aiming for full production capacity in 2019, while Foxconn-owned Sharp began investing in manufacturing assets last March.

Apple is rumored to introduce a successor model to the 5.8-inch iPhone X alongside a plus-sized 6.5-inch version as part of its annual iPhone refresh cycle later this year. A 6.1-inch LCD iPhone is rumored to sit between the two models, and like its OLED siblings will feature an edge-to-edge display and Face ID technology.

According to today's report, Japan Display will supply 18:9 LCD panels for the 6.1-inch smartphone, with LG pitching in. General Interface Solution and TPK Holding are said to be supplying touch panel modules for the LCD iPhone. Rumors last year pegged both GIS and TPK as thin-film suppliers for iPhone X.

Japanese blog Mac Otakara reported on the latest iPhone supply rumors earlier today.

Rumors of this year's iPhone trio began to circulate shortly after iPhone X and iPhone 8 debuted last September.

Most recently, noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he believes Apple will opt to discontinue iPhone X in 2018 to maintain a consistent premium product mentality. The company normally keeps the preceding year's Phone in its lineup, dropping the price to present consumers with a cheaper purchasing option.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 8
    I love the look and feel of the iPhone X. But the mockup of the iPhone 4/ 5 flattish chassis looks very nice.
    canukstormsmiffy31tipoo
  • Reply 2 of 8
    ksecksec Posts: 1,569member
    I love the look and feel of the iPhone X. But the mockup of the iPhone 4/ 5 flattish chassis looks very nice.
    Yes, I would actually love to see a iPhone 4 square design, Staninless Steel band, glass back, but with iPhone Plus Size and even thinner.
    netmage
  • Reply 3 of 8
    bluefire1bluefire1 Posts: 1,301member
    So my iPhone X will become a dinosaur later this year.
    Bring on the 6.5" OLED iPhone.
    jahblade
  • Reply 4 of 8
    GeorgeBMacGeorgeBMac Posts: 11,421member
    The big question will be:   Once they introduce a full screen, FaceID, LCD phone, how will that impact their OLED phones?

    Currently the X has a number of advantages over the 8:
    1)  A higher quality display
    2)  Potentially improved power management
    3)  Improved ratio of screen size to external form size.

    Once #3 applies equally to both a OLED and LCD based phones, will the remaining first 2 differences be enough to offset the price differential of an OLED screen?

    But, the bigger question is:  What the hell are they going to call the new phones?   9/11?
    ... The X certainly jacked up their naming conventions.
    ...... Or will they skip the 9 and go straight to 11 for all non-SE phones -- and then different with a letter?

    Part of the answer might be if the OLED phone begins to carry functional differences in addition to the screen -- much like the iPad and iPad Pro.
     
  • Reply 5 of 8
    mike1mike1 Posts: 3,275member
    bluefire1 said:
    So my iPhone X will become a dinosaur later this year.
    Bring on the 6.5" OLED iPhone.
    Are you really surprised that their will be new phones in the Fall?
  • Reply 6 of 8
    wood1208wood1208 Posts: 2,905member
    Just like iPhone Plus popularity, 6.5" and 6,1" will become the most popular iPhones. But, what about iPhone 8S and 8S Plus ? Both have chance if somehow Apple can reduce top space slightly to increase the screen real estate.
  • Reply 7 of 8
    ksecksec Posts: 1,569member
    The big question will be:   Once they introduce a full screen, FaceID, LCD phone, how will that impact their OLED phones?

    Currently the X has a number of advantages over the 8:
    1)  A higher quality display
    2)  Potentially improved power management
    3)  Improved ratio of screen size to external form size.

    Once #3 applies equally to both a OLED and LCD based phones, will the remaining first 2 differences be enough to offset the price differential of an OLED screen?

    But, the bigger question is:  What the hell are they going to call the new phones?   9/11?
    ... The X certainly jacked up their naming conventions.
    ...... Or will they skip the 9 and go straight to 11 for all non-SE phones -- and then different with a letter?

    Part of the answer might be if the OLED phone begins to carry functional differences in addition to the screen -- much like the iPad and iPad Pro.
     
    Yes it is a little hard trying to imagine the lineup now.

    iPhone X                            5.8"
    iPhone X Plus                    6.5"

    iPhone 9 Plus ?                 6.1"

    iPhone 8 Plus
    iPhone 8  

    And the rest

    Somewhere along these line dont make any sense. 
  • Reply 8 of 8
    SameeSamee Posts: 1unconfirmed, member
    The 6.1 LCD version seems to me as a misleading fact. The current Iphone SE if ever upgraded as the leftmost model in the screenshot above could only feature a 5.1" end to end display. The 6.1" moniker is easily to create confusion till the last moment.
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