Organic light-emitting diode-based display (OLED) has been quietly used a lot by Apple in its devices. According to reports, the California-based giant has decided to use OLED screens for the upcoming iPhone 8. Apple has been said in talks with LG Display to provide the component since Samsung Electronics Co Ltd cannot meet the iPhone maker's needs.
In a new report, Apple is believed to have acquired an equipment for the production of OLED screens for its future iPhone models. IBTimes SG reported earlier in July that Apple is under negotiation with South Korea's LG Display in a forged a US$2.6b deal because its OLED supplier Samsung Electronics cannot run its demands.
ET News, however, reported on Monday that Apple has purchased an OLED evaporation production system from South Korean firm Sunic System for building a 2.5G OLED panel line, which is necessary for such displays. Production is reported to happen in Taiwan.
Apple's move is apparently a step to cut down on its reliance on Samsung who has five sets of such equipment bought from Japan's Canon Kokki, the leader in the evaporator market. LG Display has also acquired two evaporators from a similar company.
Apple is caught in two different situations: One, it could be true that it is near to a closed deal with LG Display; second, it is planning to purchase an OLED equipment to go independent. Either way, Apple is bent to dramatically shift from LCD to OLED screens for its future iPhone models.
Meanwhile, a new report from ET news reveals that LG Display is looking into a US$15.2 investment for OLED in the next three years. LG Display, the world's largest panel maker, is reportedly seeking to bring 10.5th, 8th, and 6th-generation of OLED panels by 2020, all at the same time.
