The iPhone 11 series has only been available for a few months but there are already murmurs of what we may be able to expect for Apple’s flagship devices in 2020.
Most recently, reports have suggested that Apple may use Samsung has its sole supplier for OLED displays on certain models of what will likely be the iPhone 12. Though both Samsung Display and LG Display are expected to work with Apple on the upcoming smartphone series, Samsung may be the only screen supplier for the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max, according to the Korean publication, ETNews.
Currently, industry insiders have detailed to the publication that the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max will likely feature 5.4-inch and 6.7-inch displays respectively, while a standard iPhone 12 may feature a 6.1-inch display. Apple may opt to have Samsung take charge of its Pro model displays due to its Y-OCTA OLED panel technology, which is made with its touch-sensitive layer embedded “on-cell” into the base of the display. This allows for a thinner device and also reportedly reduces glare on the screen.
Samsung’s technology is unique to the manufacturer and has been perfected for inexpensive mass production. Samsung has been using Y-OCTA OLED panels on its own devices since 2016 on the Galaxy Note 7.
Samsung will partner with LG for display for the standard iPhone 12, which may not use a Y-OCTA panel, though its display is expected to be OLED. The suppliers may also make 4.7-inch LCD displays for a rumored iPhone SE 2.
Overall, the supply agreement is expected to further solidify Samsung as a top OLED manufacturer, but may also help LG gain more recognition in the space. Apple has also worked with the Chinese display supplier, BOE in the past, but likely won’t collaborate with the manufacturer for its 2020 smartphones with Samsung and LG already locked in.
