Apple orders 70 million flexible OLED displays from Samsung

By

Samsung
Samsung will be an important iPhone 8 part supplier.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple is going to need a lot of help from Samsung to bring a totally new display to the iPhone 8.

Samsung reportedly received an order from Apple buying over 70 million bendable OLED for its upcoming iPhone that many fans and rumormongers anticipate will be the most innovative smartphone to ever come out of Cupertino.

The huge order of OLED screens first reported by Nikkei suggests Apple believes the iPhone 8 will be immensely popular. Citing a supply chain source, the site claims Samsung plans to make even more screens than Apple needs.

“Apple has ordered 70 million units of OLED panels from Samsung this year, while Samsung is preparing to churn out as many as 95 million for Apple in 2017, in case demand exceeds expectations,” said David Hsieh, senior director at research company IHS Markit.

New iPhone, New Screen

The iPhone 8 is expected to be the first Apple device to feature a a curved screen. Rumors have disagreed on just how much a curve the screen will have on the edges of the device. It’s likely that the OLED display will only come on the premium iPhone 8 model, while two other iPhones will also be released with LED displays.

Other features on the iPhone 8 may include an all-glass body design with wireless charging, slimmer bezels, 3D facial recognition sensors, Touch ID embedded into the display and improved internal specs.

Apple’s huge demand for OLED displays is expected to strain the entire world supply. Samsung is expected to be the soul supplier of the OLED displays, which may be the reason why only the premium 2017 iPhone model will get the new tech before its adopted by other models later.

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