It was expected that the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus would have a display upgrade from LCD to sapphire glass, which did not materialize. Now, new reports from Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, via ValueWalk, claims that the next generation iPhone -- dubbed as the iPhone 7 -- will sport an OLED display.
It was recently reported by Bloomberg that Foxconn Technology is developing a $2.6 billion display manufacturing facility in Taiwan that will be solely for developing OLED displays for Apple products, recalled 9to5mac.
Foxconn is said to have been hired by the Tim Cook-led firm to build the OLED screens for both the iPhone and the soon-to-be-released Apple Watch. Production is pegged to begin late this year making it unclear if the next iPhone or the one following that will sport the upgraded display technology.
OLED is said to be a thinner and more power-efficient display option that will offer better color quality. However, it will be more expensive to produce.
OLED Then Flexible Displays?
In related news, ValueWalk also noted that Apple filed for a was granted a patent for Flexible Electronic Devices. Crediting six Apple employees as the inventors of the technology, it is concerned with effective folding or flexing of a smartphone without damaging its internal hardware.
iPhone 6S/ iPhone 7
Apple wowed the market with its larger iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus released last year. After ringing in the new year, many are asking what's next for tech giant's flagship smartphone.
A number of sources claim that Apple will be launching two devices this year, but separately. The iPhone 6S is rumored to launch late first quarter or early in the second quarter, alongside the confirmed Apple Watch. The iPhone 7, however, will be slated for a later release, most probably during the company's usual Sept. Slot, reported Stabley Times.
Should Apple stick to its Sept. timeline, it's possible that the OLED rumor is correct; with a late 2015 production of OLED screens, the iPhone 6S could be released in 2015 with the enhanced displays out in time for the iPhone 7 in 2016.
Next-Gen Specs
Since the flexible and OLED displays have yet to be confirmed but possibly in the horizon, other features of the next iPhone, whatever it may be called, will likely include the same 4.7-inch/ 5.5-inch display, a slim rounded aluminum chassis, Touch ID, 2 GB of RAM, and a faster A9 processor that's believed to already be in production.
