The Wall Street Journal claims Apple is set to drop LCD screens in favor of debuting an all-OLED 2020 iPhone lineup.
Apple is likely to drop LCD displays altogether in its 2020 iPhone lineup in favor of organic light-emitting diode displays that allow for more flexible handset design, people familiar with the production plans have said.
While there have been previous reports that Apple will drop LCD screens from its iPhone lineup, today’s report offers a tidbit that give the report a bit more authenticity. The report says Apple LCD panel supplier Japan Display is looking for an investor to help it prepare for Apple’s switch to OLED-only iPhones.
Japan Display Inc. is in advanced talks with Taiwan’s TPK Holdings Co. and Chinese state-owned Silk Road Fund about an investment that would include a stake of about 30% with the possibility of greater control later, people familiar with the matter said.
The bailout search is also said to be partially due to less-than-expected sales of the LCD-equipped iPhone XR. More than half of Japan Display’s revenue in the year ended March 2018 came from Apple.
While some reports indicated Apple’s move to an all-OLED iPhone lineup would take place in 2019, many analysts say a 2020 timeframe is more accurate.
Apple has been working to diversify its OLED display chain, as it continues to search for wars to lessen its reliance of frenemy Samsung for OLED display. The company supplied displays for Apple’s iPhone X, XS, and XS Max models.
Apple is said to be pushing LG Displays to build out its OLED display production facilities, even going so far as to purchase equipment to build an OLED panel research and development site in Taiwan.