iPhone 2018 News: Apple Rumored To Release Two LCD Models, One OLED Model

Apple is rumored to release a trio of flagship iPhone models in 2018 but an analyst says that the company is currently prototyping four models. Meanwhile, the same analyst predicts that the iPhone SE 2 may be released in May or June.

Two LCD & One OLED iPhones

DigiTimes research analyst Luke Lin says that Apple is currently testing four new iPhone flagships: a 5.7 to 5.8-inch LCD model, a 6 to 6.1-inch LCD model, a 6 to 6.1-inch OLED model and a 6.4 to 6.5-inch OLED model. However, Lin says that Apple is favoring to release two LCD iPhone models and the 6.4 to 6.5-inch OLED models, while the 6 to 6.1-inch OLED model may not be released by Apple.

“Apple originally intended to push the two OLED iPhones and the 6.0- to 6.1-inch LCD iPhone, but has recently started leaning toward the combination of the two LCD models plus the 6.4- to 6.5-inch OLED iPhone, abandoning the 6.0- to 6.1-inch OLED model,” Lin said.

If this turns out to be true, Apple’s iPhone lineup for 2018 will be similar to its portfolio from last year. In 2017, the tech giant released the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus with LCD displays, while the iPhone X was the only model to come with an OLED display. Although Apple is said to be leaning towards releasing two LCD models and one OLED model this year, Lin says that Apple hasn’t made its final decision yet. The analyst believes that there’s still a chance that the company may end up with a different combination.

Lin’s prediction for the 2018 iPhone flagships contradicts KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo previously said that Apple is planning to release two OLED-based iPhones this year: a 6.5-inch and 5.8-inch model. Kuo also said that there would only be one LCD-based model with a 6.1-inch display.

Lin also said that the four prototypes that Apple is currently working on all support wireless charging and 3D-sensing capabilities. DigiTimes has a mixed track record when it comes to reporting Apple’s plans for its future products, but its sources have proven to be reliable in the past, as pointed out by MacRumors.

iPhone SE 2 Release Date

Lin also briefly mentioned that Apple is working on an entry-level smartphone that’s “similar to the iPhone SE.” The analyst says that the new iPhone SE 2 will support wireless charging but won’t have any 3D-sensing features. The Analyst also says that the iPhone SE 2 will begin mass production sometime during the second quarter of 2018 and it could launch in May or June.

Rumors of an iPhone SE 2 have been brewing since late last year. However, earlier reports claimed that it would be released in March 2018. Earlier this month, the alleged back covers of the device was also leaked online showing that it will have dual cameras on its glass back. The glass back suggests that the device will indeed support QI wireless charging.