Apple has ordered 70m OLED panels from Samsung for iPhone 8: Report
Apple has placed orders for bendable organic-light emitting diode (OLED) panels from Samsung Electronics for use in the upcoming iPhone, Nikkei reports.
Cupertino ordered 70 million units, Japanese media said citing unnamed sources, matching estimates from IHS Markit analyst David Hsieh.
"Apple has ordered 70 million units of OLED panels from Samsung this year, while Samsung is preparing to churn out as many as 95 million for Apple in 2017, in case demand exceeds expectations," Nikkei quoted Hsieh as saying.
A report from South Korea last year said Samsung signed a supply deal with Apple worth 3 trillion won to supply 100 million OLED panels for use in the next iPhone.
Nikkei said there will be three models for the 10th anniversary iPhone. The premium version will sport a 5.2-inch curved OLED display, while the other two will have 4.7- and 5.5-inch LCD displays.
The company has never used an OLED panel for its phone before.
Apple orders components such as display and camera modules from Japan and Korea, and assembles them in greater China, including Taiwan.
Nikkei also said the new iPhones will be waterproof and have wireless charging. One model will have a 3D sensor that allows facial recognition and no home button.
Samsung, meanwhile, has used bendable OLED panels for its recently unveiled Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus and its Infinity Display screen.
The Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus also removed the physical home button and features facial recognition.
LG Display has the technology to make bendable OLED panels as well but cannot match Samsung in capacity.