A new report claims that LG is sourced to supply OLED screens for a 6.5-inch device for Apple rumored to be the iPhone 9 Plus.
It does not seem like the company has canceled its previous deal with Samsung. Sources recently confirmed it will still provide the OLED screens, albeit for a smaller variant with a 5.8-inch display, which could be the regular iPhone 9 model.
Shipment Details
Based on the information from a reliable source in the supply chain, LG will begin its shipments in the second half of 2018. That means Samsung will continue to provide the smaller OLED units, which are most likely going into the iPhone X. Apple's flagship model continues to be popular despite its costly price tag.
Initial shipment volumes for the bigger OLED screens will total anywhere between 15 and 16 million units for 2018. The numbers are smaller compared to its South Korean competition, which currently provides 10 million displays each month.
iPhone 9 Rumors
Technology experts are closely monitoring Apple's activities for any information relating to this year's new models. The Cupertino Technology firm presumably plans to keep Samsung as a source for the iPhone 9, which is speculated to use the same 5.8-inch display as the X.
Now that LG has confirmed that its production lines are capable of meeting production demands, the American company secured a deal for the larger 6.5-inch OLED panels for the iPhone 9 Plus. Other details also confirm that the components will be manufactured in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea instead of China.
A Deal In The Making
Earlier last year, there were hints that Apple has plunked down a sizeable investment for OLED screens from LG. However, industry analysts quickly pointed out that the current state of the latter's production lines was not yet capable of meeting demand.
The unforeseen drawback presumably prompted the American smartphone brand to continue its deal with Samsung until LG confirms that its operational capabilities are finally optimal.
Screen-Related Issues Reported
Google was recently in the headlines after users complained about screen burn-in issues with the Google Pixel 2 XL. The OLED screens used by the Pixel 2 XL were provided by LG, which explained that the aforementioned issues are common after extended usage.
However, the smaller Pixel 2 and the first generation Pixel units had Samsung's OLED display installed and never experienced the same issue detailed above.
Apple is most likely aware of the reported issues with LG's OLED and confident that its new production might be free from the issues.
