There are reports in the market that Apple has contacted LG for the supply of foldable screens. It is not hidden that Apple used the recent OLED screens in iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X provided by Samsung. Samsung Electronics is the only provider of high definition or OLED screens in the smartphone market, having its monopoly over the intellectual and intangible assets related to iPhone displays.
The rumors are that Apple contacted LG at the inception of this month and by 11th October, LG made a task force with the agenda of developing a high-quality foldable screen for the upcoming iPhones. These foldable displays will be OLED screens but the element of flexibility would be the distinguishing factor this time. While the LG has been given the responsibility of making foldable OLED displays, LG Innotek and Apple have come on board to develop a flexible circuit board that would power these displays in the upcoming iPhones. These circuit boards have been termed as RFPCB.
Reports have stated that the panel production could start from 2020, which that the Apple’s foldable phone will come after the Samsung first foldable phone, which will be debuted next year. Apple usually starts the production and other product-related projects a year before the launch.LG which has been the supplier of LCD panel for Apple iPhones have reportedly completed its own foldable OLED panel two to three years ago and has been working on the further development and durability of the panels. LG has already started the production of the OLED screen for phones at its E5 plant. The first batch of the production will be shipped to LG Electronics and some Chinese handset makers.the production for the iPhones foldable OLED panels will start from as early as 2019 when its new plant E6 is completed. Some rumours have also emerged that apple is considering to invest in the E6 plant to increase the production of OLED panels. However no official statements have been made about these rumours.
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