Apple turns to Samsung, orders 70 mn OLED panels

Apple has ordered 70 million OLED panels from Samsung for the upcoming "iPhone 8," and could ask for even more depending on demand, a report said on Monday.

Apple has placed order for about 70 million bendable organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels with Samsung Electronics for use in the iPhones releasing this year, reported Nikkei Asian Review.

''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 exceed expectations,'' David Hsieh, senior director at the research company HIS Markit, told Nikkei.

He revealed Samsung Electronics will be serving as the sole OLED suppliers to Apple as it has the most advanced technologies in this field. Hsieh added that possibly some of these 70mn handsets will not be shipped to customers this year, but could be carried to next year depending on demand.

Regardless of order size, some panels could be for iPhones going into manufacturing this year but only selling in 2018, once again depending on demand.

Apple is expected to release three models of iPhone 8 on its 10th anniversary this year. The premium iPhone 8 model, which is speculated to cost more than $1,000, will sport a slightly curved OLED screen with a 5.2-inch display in size.

On the other hand, the other two models, believed to feature 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch display, are expected to adopt liquid crystal displays (LCD) without any curve screens.

Going by Apple's earlier releases, the other two iPhone models are also speculated to be called iPhone 7s and iPhone 7s Plus.

According to industry sources familiar with the supplies, cited in Nikkei's report, all the three handsets will incorporate wireless charging technology. Also, a recent report suggested the handsets will include True Tone Technology, introduced with 9.7-inch iPad Pro, allowing displays to automatically adjusts colour temperature based on the room environment.

Apart from that, Nikkei's source revealed at least one model will carry 3D-sensor that allows facial recognition as part of new biometric features. The sensor could also be used to push augmented reality features in the handset. While the other two models would retain the home button, the premium model will not.

In February a South Korean report claimed that Apple had entered into a $4.3-billion contract with Samsung for 60 million OLED panels. It could be that Apple has decided to increase numbers as part of a more optimistic forecast.