Sharp is reportedly getting ready to develop the OLED displays for the iPhone and will be doing so inside Foxconn's - Apple's assembly partner - factory.
Sharp, which was purchased by Foxconn in 2016, is reportedly setting up a production unit in Zhengzhou, China. Interestingly, this is the city in which half of all iPhone units undergo assembly.
Apple accounts for a substantial OLED display usage and a report from Nikkei reveals that Sharp will be investing over $800 million in the OLED display manufacturing plant.
"Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry and its Japanese subsidiary Sharp might build a factory in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, to make organic light-emitting diode panels. The plant would cost at least 100 billion yen ($854 million), and the panels would be slapped on iPhones," notes the publication.
When Will The OLED Display-Equipped iPhone Arrive?
The report shares that the OLED displays being manufactured for iPhone models are for those further down the line, rather than the upcoming 2017 model the iPhone 8. Production on the Sharp line in the Foxconn plant will allegedly begin "sometime in 2019,"
Interestingly, the OLED displays manufactured at this plant would be specifically for impending iPhones.
Apple is rumored to have a premium iPhone, the tenth anniversary edition, dubbed the iPhone 8 in the works. Many tech experts believe that the OLED display may not be integrated in this phone. Speculations are rife that come 2018, all the iPhone models produced will be equipped with OLED display panels.
Apple has also signed a deal with arch-rival Samsung so that the latter can produce 100 million OLED panels for the former. This move will possibly make Samsung the main supplier of Apple for OLED displays. Sharp is not expected to start production before 2019.
The cost of producing OLEDs are much higher as compared to LCD screens, which is why Apple is rumored to be kitting only one iPhone with the OLED screens.
How Will Apple Benefit?
Apple will likely benefit from this decision to deploy OLED screens on its iPhone as the move may help it stand out from rival smartphone brands with premium offerings, who are also gunning for market supremacy. The OLED screens will provide a much higher resolution and a crystal clear display experience; therefore, enabling Apple to strengthen its hold over the market.
Apple enthusiasts can gear up for a revamped and enhanced iPhone in the near future. Whether the OLED display-equipped iPhone will take the consumer space by storm and leave a lasting impression remains to be seen.
