Samsung reportedly signed a deal with Apple for the manufacturing of OLED screens that would fit the 2017 iPhone 7s Plus, or whatever it may be called.
The report comes via the Wall Street Journal (China edition), which references a Korean source. According to the information, Apple signed a three-year contract with Samsung for the delivery of 100 million OLED displays that will be part of iPhone 7s Plus's specs.
Previous rumors hinted that the two tech companies would join forces in the upstream manufacturing process. The new report gives a tangible sense of Apple's plans for upcoming flagships, with numbers and figures.
The source mentions that Samsung's role in the contract is to provide Apple with 100 million 5.5-inch OLED panels, which will most likely equip the iPhone 7s Plus. Another variant, however improbable, is that the future model of iPhone SE will get a significant display size boost.
Samsung purportedly designated a full production line at its Asian plant to meet the order.
The OLED iPhone release could happen faster than it was previously expected, according to this report. So far, the media indicated that Apple plans to release such a smartphone in 2018 or 2019, and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously vouched for the timeline.
The new information, however, seems to place the release of the OLED-equipped iPhone for 2017.
A number of mobile display manufacturers were rumored to be negotiating with Apple for large OLED screen panel orders. It seems that out of the myriad of competitors, such as Sharp, JDI, AUO, LG and Samsung, Apple chose the latter to provide the edge for the visuals of the iPhone 7s Plus.
Speculations roam free on whether the screen will be flat or curved, but seeing the general trend, a flexible OLED panel does not seem like something the iPhone manufacturer would be interested in.
It is also plausible that Samsung wants to keep the curved display exclusive to its proprietary handsets, in order to have a distinctive product on the demanding flagship market.
Apart from the display, other major features are expected to grace Apple's future flagship, such as an HD selfie cam with flash, waterproof capabilities, an upgraded rear camera and the intimidating A10 CPU processor.
As for what to expect from Apple this year, check out Tech Times' earlier coverage.
