When The iPhone 8 Comes Out With OLED Display, It May Not Be The Only Apple Device With One

Apple is expected to release the iPhone 8 with an edge-to-edge OLED screen, and it is looking to do the same for future devices. The Cupertino company will launch three OLED display iPhones in 2018, industry sources told Nikkei.

Apple reportedly is planning to use OLED panels on all new models released from the second half of 2018. The company has already started designing next year's iPhones, but plans may be altered along the way.

Read: Leak Claims Apple Shipping 'Huge Influx' Of iPhone 8's With Backside Touch ID

The report said the 10th anniversary iPhone will feature an OLED display and no Touch ID button. Previous reports have pointed to an iPhone 7S and iPhone 7S plus release alongside the iPhone 8 this year. Nikkei says the 7S models, which will feature LCD displays, will be sold into early 2019.

Sources in the OLED production equipment industry are skeptical about panel makers producing enough to meet Apple’s demand, if it decides to use OLED screens in all new iPhones next year, the report said.

In May it was reported Apple signed a deal with Samsung for OLED panels for next year’s iPhone 9. The device will reportedly come in two OLED models, a 5.28-inch version and a 6.46-inch model. Apple is expected to use OLED display screens for all iPhone models by 2019.

Read: iPhone 8 News: Samsung Building World's Biggest OLED Production Facility For Apple Display Orders

In April, it was reported that Apple signed a two-year deal worth $9 billion with Samsung for OLED panels. Samsung is set to deliver 80 million OLED panels to Apple for the iPhone 8. The Korean company is scheduled to deliver the display screens at the end of this year, while the remaining supply will be given to other smartphone clients and will be kept for Samsung itself. Samsung is also keeping some flexibility in case Apple places more orders.

To keep up with the demand, Samsung is building new plants for OLED panels. Samsung will reportedly invest up to $21 billion to build the world’s largest OLED production plant. The facilities will be in Cheonin and Asan, South Korea. Samsung’s latest move is due to anticipated demand from smartphone companies, and mass-production of foldable displays measuring 9 to 10 inches.

Meanwhile, The Korea Herald reported this week that Apple is in talks with LG Display for a possible investment of about 2 to 3 trillion won (US$1.75-2.62 billion) into the Korean company’s new OLED production lines exclusively dedicated to Apple orders. Apple’s move means it’s looking to diversify its supply chain for OLED screens.

Samsung is expected to be the exclusive OLED panel supplier for the iPhone 8, which could also be called the iPhone X, iPhone Pro or iPhone Edition.

The iPhone 8 is rumored to come with an embedded Touch ID, vertical dual-camera system and a 3D-sensing front camera. The iPhone 8 could cost more than $1,000. The iPhone 8 release day is expected in September but quantities may be limited.