Apple is reportedly planning to manufacture its own OLED displays for future iPhones so that it can reduce its reliance on Samsung.
The South Korean company is said to be producing around 80 million panels this year alone for the big iPhone 8 refresh, but it could get its nose pushed out later on.
When it comes to mobile devices, OLED displays are far superior to the LCD displays Apple has used since the original iPhone. Not only do they offer greater contrast, increased brightness, and more vibrant colors, but they’re also more power efficient.
The problem is that OLED displays are more difficult to manufacture, which is likely the reason why Apple has taken so long to adopt them. Recent reports have claimed it is teaming up with Samsung to bring OLED technology to the iPhone 8, but that won’t always be the case.
“Apple is eagerly developing its own OLED technology in order to reduce its reliance on Samsung Electronics for the supply of OLED panels, while enabling it for product differentiation,” reports Digitimes, citing claims from ET News.
“Apple’s move will break the dominant position held by Japan-based Canon Kokki in the CVD machinery market,” the report continues. “Canon Tokki is currently the primary supplier of CVD machines and ships the bulk of its output to Samsung.”
Samsung is said to have purchased five sets of OLED manufacturing equipment from Canon Tokki already this year, likely as a result of its orders from Apple. LG, which is also said to be in talks with the iPhone-maker, has bought two sets.
