Apple Watch 2 Rumors: Samsung May Build OLED Displays For Next Apple Inc. Smartwatch

Apple’s next smartwatch could come with a thinner display manufactured by Samsung. The South Korean electronics manufacturer is developing flexible OLED panels for the so-called Apple Watch 2, according to South Korea news outlet Digital Daily.

The new displays will be thinner, to allow for a larger battery in Apple’s smartwatch, according to the report. But Samsung won’t be alone in manufacturing displays for Apple, as LG is also expected to be involved in the production. LG was previously the sole supplier responsible for manufacturing Apple Watch displays.

It’s not uncommon for Apple to use multiple vendors to manufacture parts for its devices. For example, Apple historically tapped Samsung Electronics and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. for A-Series chip production. Though how large of an order each company received has varied year-to-year.

Aside from a new display, Apple may also incorporate a FaceTime camera on the Apple Watch 2 top bezel and new material choices, such as platinum. But its screen resolution and shape is expected to remain the same.

Officially, Apple hasn’t announced a successor to the Apple Watch and it is unknown when it will release one. In the meantime, Apple expanded the smartwatch’s availability to seven more countries on June 26, including Italy, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland and Taiwan. The move follows the launch of in-store pickups for Apple Watches purchased in the first launch countries, including Japan and the United States.

Later this year, Apple is expected to launch WatchOS 2, the first major update for its current generation smartwatch. The software update will come with a number of features, such as native third-party app support, a nightstand mode and new watch faces.