Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge: Apple will continue to lag Samsung in crucial curved display tech, says IHS... [+]
Apple will continue to trail Samsung in OLED display technology but by 2019 will have a pair of "foldable" iPhones that can convert into an iPad, according to a report from Nikkei.
The core message in the report is that Apple will continue to lag Samsung in organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display technology. That technology is crucial for delivering curved displays and, in the future, foldable devices.
"Apple will only get a limited number of OLED panels next year as Samsung Electronics will not be able to deliver enough," the August 23 Nikkei report said, citing David Hsieh, director of analysis & research at the IHS Markit group, a marketing research firm. Both Nikkei and Hsieh have a good track record with iPhone predictions.
Though Apple will offer only one curved OLED iPhone in 2017, by 2018, more curved display iPhones will arrive and, by 2019, two foldable iPhones, according to the report from Nikkei dated Tuesday.
"Apple may be able to come up with more cutting-edge designs for iPhones in 2018, when South Korea's LG Display and Japan Display begin to catch up on the technology and can supply OLED panels to the U.S. consumer electronics company," the report said, citing Hsieh. "The iPhone may come with curved edges on all four sides in 2018, and the home button will be gone," according to Hsieh.
Then two foldable iPhones in 2019. "There will be a 4.7-inch phone that can be turned into an iPad mini. Another model would be a 5.5-inch handset that can become a full-sized iPad when unfolded," Hsieh told Nikkei.
Apple did not respond to a request for comment.
