Sharp In Negotiations With Apple For The 2017 iPhone’s Display

It seems that it has been less than a month since the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus have been released, but there is already a lot of talk and interest generated around the 2017 iPhone, which last we heard could be known as the iPhone 8. Now one of the rumors is that the iPhone 8 is expected to feature OLED displays, and it seems that Sharp is a potential supplier.

According to a report from Bloomberg, word on the street is that Apple and Sharp are currently in negotiations for the latter to manufacture OLED panels for 2017’s iPhone. However the report does state whether or not Sharp will be the main supplier. Apple typically goes with more than one supplier when possible, so it is unclear if Sharp will be producing the bulk of the OLED screens, or if Apple could also source from other companies such as Samsung, LG, or Japan Display.

Assuming that the rumors are true and Apple does switch to OLED, 2017’s iPhone will mark the first time Apple will use OLED in their iPhones. As it stands, the Apple Watch is the only Apple product to sport an OLED screen, but there are rumors suggesting that an OLED touch panel could find its way into this year’s MacBook Pro refresh.

In any case take it with a grain of salt, but if anything it does sound like the iPhone 8 is shaping up to be more exciting, at least design-wise, compared to this year’s iPhone. We’re hearing rumors about a glass chassis and steel edges, and also the physical removal of the home button which will be replaced by a virtual one.

Tyler Lee
Categories: Apple, Cellphones, Rumors
Tags: iPhone, Sharp