2017 marks the tenth anniversary of the iPhone and Apple could celebrate it with great news. One of them is the introduction of OLED displays on the supposed iPhone 8 however, this might not be available on all models.
The possible iPhone 8, and presumably the iPhone 8 Plus as well, could feature different displays. This is what is claimed by analyst Hendi Susanto, from the firm Gabelli & Co., a research analyst (through Barrons).
The iPhone 8 could be more different from each other
In less than a month, Apple will launch the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. The expectation is maximum, however, the news will be minimal. It seems that the company will just make a few improvements, as if it were an "S" generation, saving the best for next year. In 2017 the iPhone turns a decade and Apple plans to celebrate it in style, with a possible iPhone 8 completely renewed, both outside and inside.
Among the many novelties that are expected by then, the introduction of OLED technology in the terminal screens is one of the most outstanding. Nevertheless, the inability of some suppliers of this type of screen could lead Apple to make one of its terminals "special", precisely the model that includes an OLED screen.
OLED yes, but not for everyone
Hindi Susanto, an analyst at Gabelli & Co., agrees that 2017 will be the year Apple introduces OLED displays to the iPhone. But on the other hand, he also warns that this move will be a "partial adoption" of OLED technology. He predicts that the company's suppliers may not be able to meet the high demand. In consecuense, Apple could not display OLED screens in all models of the iPhone 8 generation.
A "special" iPhone 8
This situation invites us to think that there will be a superior version of the iPhone from 2017, probably the iPhone 8 Plus or another equivalent model. Be the XNUMXth anniversary iPhone 'special edition' and will include an OLED display as the factor differentiator regarding the rest of versions.
Speculation regarding the possible adoption of OLED displays by Apple continues to dominate major discussions with investors. Current speculation envisions Apple's adoption of OLED displays on its iPhone in 2017 or 2018. We believe that Apple may adopt OLED displays sooner rather than later by applying partial adoption and incorporating it into a special edition of a new version of iPhone.
This will alleviate supply needs and the enormous ability to accelerate OLED screen adoption. On the other hand, Apple could choose to wait and eventually adopt OLED displays for all new iPhone versions. We remain with opportunistic caution. We think it's a question of when [it will], not whether [it will].
If the predictions made by Hindi Susanto come true, we would find that the rest of the versions of the iPhone 8 would have the traditional LCD screen technology. This is the screen that the current iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus have. And also the one expected in the next iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.
Towards differentiation
Since the launch of the iPhone 6 in September 2014, Apple has introduced subtle differences between the 4,7-inch models and the 5,5-inch models. Beyond the size of the screen, we are talking about a larger battery, the landscape mode or the stabilizer of the camera in the Plus model. Thus, this difference is expected to be accentuated with the arrival of the iPhone 7 Plus and its dual-lens camera.
The alternative
The alternative option, as Susanto points out, is for Apple to simply choose to wait to adopt the OLED displays when the supply chain is in a position to address production "for all new iPhone versions." This could take us into 2018, or even later.
Obviously, let's not lose sight that this is all pure speculation but still, it seems to be going in the right direction.
Should Apple Wait Or Release A Special iPhone 8 With OLED Screen?