Don't expect your next iPhone to feature an AMOLED display
According to one prominent analyst, Apple’s line of iPhone handsets isn’t expected to receive an AMOLED display in at least the next three years. Though the display technology is used in Cupertino’s Apple Watch, Apple reportedly isn’t planning on porting an AMOLED display over to either of its iPhone handsets.
The AMOLED display is far, far more costly than the TFT-LCD display used in the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus handsets; at the same time, however, AMOLED is more flexible, it’s significantly thinner, and it’s a lot lighter, too. As such, it’s a perfect fit for the Apple Watch, yet if KGI Securities’ oft-reliable Ming-Chi Kuo is to be believed, AMOLED certainly isn’t iPhone-bound.
Based on recent comments by Minebea, one of the main iPhone backlight unit suppliers, we believe AMOLED will not penetrate iPhone for the next three years. Moreover, Hon Hai is preparing to invest in Gen-6 LTPS TFT-LCD production lines in Zhengzhou, China for mass production in 2018, suggesting the iPhone line will likely stick with TFT-LCD technology in 2018 and thereafter.
TFT-LCD share loss therefore isn’t expected, Kuo added (via MacRumors), even though Samsung’s Galaxy line of smartphones do offer users AMOLED displays.
Does Apple’s iPhone line need AMOLED, however? We don’t think so. In addition, though previous rumors had indicated that a sapphire-coated display could be coming to the iPhone soon, it seems the increased shatter risk sapphire glass carries makes Apple’s own ion-strengthened glass displays a more attractive option. Though sapphire is far more scratch resistant, the material is prone to shattering when dropped (something many longtime iPhone owners out there will be guilty of having done — myself included).
If course, it’ll be some time before Apple introduces its next iPhone handset to the world. With the launch of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus having just passed, we’ve got some 10 months until the next-generation smartphones are unveiled.
