Apple is reportedly testing over 10 prototypes for its iPhone 8, which could be released to the market in 2017.
Some of these prototypes are expected to have curved screen with the use of the OLED technology, Business Insider reported. OLED, which stands for Organic light-emitting displays, is a newer type of display that features deeper blacks and is more power efficient.
Suppliers of Apple said they are asked by the company to provide more OLED and prototypes that are thinner with better resolutions compared to Samsung phones, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Apple will be needing tens of millions of OLED screens to produce its iPhone 8 products set for release next year. This means it will set a competition among screen makers like, Japan Display, Foxconn's Sharp LG Display, and Samsung.
Samsung is confirmed to be supplying most of the initial screens for Apple. But Apple is encouraging the rest of the suppliers to prepare for the massive demand to provide for the iPhone screens come 2018.
That would mean a huge amount of capital is needed. Sharp alone would need more than $5 billion dollars to make enough screens to provide for Apple.
Sharp head Tai Jeng-wu said last month that he is not sure if Apple's OLED iPhones will sell as much as expected, but with no transformation from Apple, no innovations will happen. He considers this an challenge and an opportunity at the same time.
Innovation is definitely needed, especially that reports show that iPhone sales are on a downward curve. If Apple doesn't bring something fresh in 2017, that line will continue to go down.
The new iPhone models are expected to have glass casing, edge-to-edge screen design, and wireless charging, with the latest technologies and chips.
According to Barclays analyst, the reports on iPhone 8 designs aren't concrete yet, but the bezel-less design, larger screen, and curved edges are features to expect from the new model.
KGI Securities analyst said there will be three new iPhone models to expect in 2017. These are the 5.1-5.2" with the OLED screen, 4-7" TFT-LCD, and the 5.5" TFT-LCD.
