Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) announced that it is using a new display technology in the upcoming smart phone.
Rival supplier
Apple will introduce the new technology through the assistance of an arch rival. It will acquire the organic lighting diode (OLED) displays from a Samsung subsidiary. These will be used in the expected upcoming iPhone.
Reports indicate that the deal is going for a whopping $9 billion. It comprises of Samsung Display shipping to Apple more than 92 million OLED screens in the year 2017. The report does not give information about the number of units Samsung Display will deliver to Apple in the next year.
Neither Samsung Display nor Apple has confirmed the deal. Rumors over the last month have it that Apple is developing a new iPhone which is designed using OLED technology.
Past Technology
In the past Apple depended on liquid crystal displays (LCD) in designing the screen technology. OLED has gained popularity in the last few years in designing mobile devices. This is mainly because it comes with better flexibility and color. Samsung is going to include OLED technology in the upcoming Galaxy S8.
Reports indicate that Apple is planning to introduce three new iPhones models during this year. Of the three models will be a development of iPhone 8 and iPhone 7 Plus which were launched last year. The third model will include OLED screen as well as include an updated design.
Apple has not include OLED unlike other manufacturers
Other smartphone manufactures have used OLED before unlike Apple. It did not indicate their reason for leaving out OLED in their production. However, reports suggested that the suppliers were not in a position to produce enough screen to match Apple’s demand. This therefore forced the company to hold on until manufacturers were able to produce enough screens.
Apple is likely to work with Samsung
Apple has a couple of OLED suppliers to select from. Samsung Display is widely ranked as the leader in OLED screen manufacture. Apple has constantly overtaken Samsung in sale of smart phones. It has also waged patent right against Samsung. It is likely to now work with Samsung in designing OLED display screens.
