Foxconn to Develop OLED Displays Following Sharp Takeover

iphone_4s_2015-250x300Following multiple reports claiming Apple will release its first OLED-based iPhone as early as 2017, DigiTimes Research says that Apple manufacturer Foxconn will develop AMOLED displays through its recent investment in troubled Japanese electronics maker Sharp.

Sharp will set up one 4.5G and two 6G AMOLED production lines with monthly capacity of 13,000, 11,500 and 34,500 glass substrates respectively, with total monthly capacity of 9.85 million 5.5-inch equivalent panels.

Given its longstanding relationship with Apple, the move could position Foxconn as a frontrunner among AMOLED display suppliers for iPhones. Recent reports said Apple was closing in on deals with Samsung and LG, while AU Optronics and Japan Display are also rumored candidates for orders in 2017 or 2018.

AU Optronics, Japan Display, LG, and Sharp have all supplied Apple with LCD displays for current or previous iPhones.

Last month, oft-reliable KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple is planning an all-new iPhone featuring a curved 5.8-inch AMOLED display for debut in 2017. Kuo noted that, if supplies are sufficient, Apple would launch a 4.7-inch LCD-based iPhone paired with the new 5.8-inch AMOLED iPhone as a Plus-sized model.

galaxys7edge
While some have expressed skepticism about Apple releasing a larger 5.8-inch iPhone, one possibility is that the screen wraps around the sides of the device akin to Samsung's Galaxy S7 Edge. Apple holds patents for wraparound screens, and the design lines up nicely when applied to the height of a 5.5-inch iPhone.

iphonewraparounddisplay-800x511
Rumors suggest that the iPhone 7 series will have iterative designs compared to the current iPhone 6s lineup, meaning that Apple is likely saving its major design change for 2017. Nevertheless, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus will likely have many notable differences, headlined by the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack.

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Top Rated Comments

Amazing Iceman Avatar
121 months ago
I still don't see a real and practical use for wraparound screens as the S7 Edge has.

To me, it's nothing more than looks, and making the display more vulnerable to breakage, scratches, etc.
Does it sense touch on the edges? If yes, how can you hold it by the sides without causing a touch event?

Unless Apple is planning use this technology for something more practical, someone please enlighten me.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
warrior2000 Avatar
121 months ago
Would be great if Apple improved the Shenzhen operations by lifting wages for its offshore workers, reducing their hours, and giving them proper working conditions. Apple is totally dragging its feet. And the issue at hand is OLED vs LCD?? What a joke!

Wages
- The wage of an Apple factory worker inChina is about $310 USD per month. (2000 Chinese Yuan per month, but somewhere between 850 Chinese Yuan per month to 2030 Chinese Yuan.)
- The wage of a factory worker in the USA is about $3900 USD. (Notice the extra zero?)

Hours of work
- The hours of work in Apple’s offshore factories are at least 60 hours with records showing Apple’s offshore factory workers can frequently work up to more than 100 hours in a week.
- The hours of work in the USA is around 40 hours.

Buying an iPhone
- iPhone SE 16GB price in China is $510 USD. (3288 Chinese Yuan.)
- iPhone SE 16GB price in the USA is $399 USD.

China File
https://www.chinafile.com/reporting-opinion/viewpoint/major-china-apple-supplier-pays-workers-less-foxconn

China Labor Watch
http://www.chinalaborwatch.org/report/107

CNET
http://www.cnet.com/au/news/low-wages-and-long-hours-still-persist-at-iphone-factory-claims-labor-group/

Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2015/06/12/if-apples-foxconn-will-move-to-india-then-las-15-minimum-wage-will-cost-jobs/

Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/entry/average-cost-factory-worker_n_1327413.html

Market Watch
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/it-would-take-25-years-of-foxconn-wages-to-afford-10000-apple-watch-2015-03-10
If you care so much why don't you go to China and volunteer your time?

Oh I forgot. You want OTHER people to do charity not yourself.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Roller Avatar
121 months ago
I'm not interested in more screen real estate if it's on the side. I would like a bezel-less display though.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Michaelgtrusa Avatar
121 months ago
Would be great if Apple improved the Shenzhen operations by lifting wages for its offshore workers, reducing their hours, and giving them proper working conditions. Apple is totally dragging its feet. And the issue at hand is OLED vs LCD?? What a joke!

Wages
- The wage of an Apple factory worker inChina is about $310 USD per month. (2000 Chinese Yuan per month, but somewhere between 850 Chinese Yuan per month to 2030 Chinese Yuan.)
- The wage of a factory worker in the USA is about $3900 USD. (Notice the extra zero?)

Hours of work
- The hours of work in Apple’s offshore factories are at least 60 hours with records showing Apple’s offshore factory workers can frequently work up to more than 100 hours in a week.
- The hours of work in the USA is around 40 hours.

Buying an iPhone
- iPhone SE 16GB price in China is $510 USD. (3288 Chinese Yuan.)
- iPhone SE 16GB price in the USA is $399 USD.

China File
https://www.chinafile.com/reporting-opinion/viewpoint/major-china-apple-supplier-pays-workers-less-foxconn

China Labor Watch
http://www.chinalaborwatch.org/report/107

CNET
http://www.cnet.com/au/news/low-wages-and-long-hours-still-persist-at-iphone-factory-claims-labor-group/

Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2015/06/12/if-apples-foxconn-will-move-to-india-then-las-15-minimum-wage-will-cost-jobs/

Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/entry/average-cost-factory-worker_n_1327413.html

Market Watch
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/it-would-take-25-years-of-foxconn-wages-to-afford-10000-apple-watch-2015-03-10
Apple should be focused on jobs with in the Nation that created them.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
uid15 Avatar
121 months ago
Here it is, the yearly implication that Apple are going to use OLED screens in the next model... and we can all guess what happens... they use IPS LCDs, thankfully. OLED is a mess - if OLED were really THAT GOOD, why are they not completely replacing LCDs? It's not as if OLED are new and bleeding edge. Apple are about colour accuracy, especially when you consider their new iPad Pro 9.7". Why would they move one product across to OLED and not the rest - can you say "inconsistent"? I am extremely confident that Apple will skip OLED panels altogether, and that they have something of their own in the pipeline... a little way off yet.

OLED screen: nice gimmick to have if your name is "Samsung".
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannyyankou Avatar
121 months ago
Come on Apple, ramp this up and use AMOLED for the iPhone 7. Give me a reason to upgrade.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)