According to a new report from the Korean Herald, Samsung and Apple have reached a deal in which Samsung will supply around 100 million OLED display units to Apple beginning in 2017. The report comes as several other sources have stated that Apple plans to make the switch to OLED panels beginning next year.
As far as details go, the agreement between Apple and Samsung is reportedly worth around $2.59 billion and the two companies are expected to maintain the agreement for at least three years. Furthermore, the agreement is for 100 million 5.5-inch OLED displays. The report makes no mention of Samsung providing any 4.7-inch panels.
Samsung Display declined to confirm the deal, citing its privacy policy.
Today’s report comes as rumors regarding Apple’s future display plans have been picking up steam. A report last month stated that Apple would switch to OLED panels in the 5.5-inch iPhone next. While other reports have claimed Apple was aiming to use OLED technology by 2018 or 2019. With today’s report on a deal between Apple and Samsung, however, it’s looking more and more likely that we’ll see the first OLED iPhones in 2017, although nothing is for certain until Apple officially makes an announcement.
Last month, KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple would entirely revamp its iPhone lineup in 2017. Kuo said that Apple would switch to a device with a “completely new form factor design” with more narrow bezels and a “more comfortably grip” and an all-glass design like the iPhone 4/4s. The report also noted that Apple was considering a 5.8-inch model, as well as wireless charging.
The Apple Watch features an OLED display, which allows for much deeper blacks and improved viewing in bright sunlight conditions.
