Samsung is widely expected to launch its next-gen Android-powered smartphones — the Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 Edge — on Sunday, Feb. 21 at the MWC 2016 in Barcelona. Reports reveal that the South Korean company has already immersed itself in the mass production of the AMOLED panels for the flagship handsets.
The information comes courtesy of a South Korean publication's sources, who revealed that Samsung has started the production of the 5.5-inch display panels at its Asan plant.
"Samsung Display has started production of active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) panels for Samsung Electronics' strategic smartphones, Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge to be launched on Feb. 21. In particular, the company plans to secure facilities with a monthly production capacity of 9 million panels for the Galaxy S7 Edge, which uses the flexible OLED display panel, for smooth supply," notes Business Korea.
The industry insiders also disclosed that the reason why the display panels are already in production is because Samsung wants to avoid supply shortages like it had to face for the Galaxy S6 Edge in 2015. The A2 line of Samsung Display — its only production line for flexible OLED at the time — was unable to keep up with increasing demand.
As a result, Samsung was faced with short supplies of Galaxy S6 Edge panels, which led to limited number of units of the handset being retailed in the first quarter.
This time round, Samsung is looking to cover all corners so that the sales of its Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge smartphones do not go unrealized due to short supply issues.
The publication's sources also said that the production of both the A2, as well as the Tangjeong A3 flexible OLED lines has started at the company's Asan plant, which is in South Chungcheong Province.
The A2 line (5.5-inch generation) is capable of producing 24,000 pieces of mother glass each month, whereas the A3 line (6-inch generation) has the ability to produce 15,000 pieces every month.
If required, the A2 and A3 production lines from Samsung Display are able to push out nearly 9 million OLED panels each month.
Rumors point to a 5.1-inch screen for the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge. The smartphones are also anticipated to come in multiple hues and will be released on March 11, said leakster Evan Blass who goes by the Twitter handle @evleaks.
The Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge, as we reported, will be priced at 700Euros and 800Euros ($784 and $896), respectively, in the UK.
Photo: Maurizio Pesce | Flickr
