Well-connected KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple is unlikely to adopt AMOLED displays for use in its iPhone lineup any time soon.
The analyst believes Apple will continue using TFT-LCD display technology for at least the next three years — and likely beyond.
Kuo claims Apple partner Foxconn is preparing to invest in advanced TFT-LCD production lines in China for mass production by 2018. That, along with comments made by iPhone backlight supplier Minebea, leads the analyst to believe iPhone will stick with TFT-LCD displays until at least 2019.
… Hon Hai is preparing to invest in Gen-6 LTPS TFT-LCD production lines in Zhengzhou, China for mass production in 2018, suggesting the iPhone line will likely stick with TFT-LCD technology in 2018 and thereafter. […]
Minebea, major BLU supplier of iPhone, stated to investors on November 5 that it does not foresee risk of TFT-LCD share loss to AMOLED in high-end smartphone market in next three years & guides growth in TFT-LCD going forward. As Apple and Samsung are the only two brands that currently offer premium smartphones, we think Minebea’s statements imply it does not expect iPhone to adopt AMOLED in the coming three years, given that Samsung’s models are already being equipped with it.
While DigiTimes has reported that Samsung may begin supplying Apple with OLED panels for upcoming iPhone models, Kuo says he believes there is “sufficient evidence indicating otherwise.”
While Apple does use AMOLED displays in its popular Apple Watch, Apple has yet to make use of the technology in its other devices.
