Apple Mulls $1.7 Billion Plant Partnership With JDI [Rumor]

When it comes to displays for their products, Apple has several sources, such as Sharp, LG, and JDI which is actually a merger of Sony, Hitachi, and Toshiba’s display divisions. While JDI has provided displays to Apple in the past, a report from Japan’s Nikkan Kogyo (via AppleInsider) claims that the Cupertino company is thinking of making a rather sizable investment in JDI to the tune of $1.68 billion.

This investment would basically see the creation of a new LCD manufacturing facility that will be built in Ishikawa, Japan next year where low temperature polysilicon displays will be made. These displays are currently used by Apple in their new iPhone 6 models and with rumored investment, it would certainly seem that Apple has plans on using these displays for a while to come.

However what’s interesting about this potential partnership is the fact that back in 2013, JDI announced a 12.1-inch 4K LCD display for tablets. Now we have heard rumors that Apple is planning a 12-inch tablet and one of the earlier rumors suggested 4K as a possible resolution for the upcoming tablet, although more recent rumors have contradicted those claims by suggesting a 2K resolution instead.

Neither Apple nor JDI have confirmed the deal, although a statement obtained by Reuters quoted the company as saying, “No formal decision has been made regarding any matter that we need to disclose.”

Tyler Lee
Categories: Apple, Cellphones, Rumors, Tablets
Tags: JDI