Apple allegedly in talks with Sharp to provide OLED displays on future iPhones
Recent reports indicate that Apple is in negotiations with Japanese consumer electronics maker, Sharp, to supply OLED displays for a future iPhones. Sharp is considered to be just one of the potential supplier for Apple displays. After the potential negotiations, Sharp announced they are prepared to spend $570 million on OLED panel production. The company hopes to start production “by June 2018.”
“Apple has unofficially or as a nod encouraged Sharp to go into it,” said Amir Anvarzadeh, Singapore-based head of Japanese equity sales at BGC Partners Inc. Apple’s general strategy is to increase the competition on the supply side, and dilute the risk exposure to one company.”
Earlier this year popular Apple supplier, Foxconn, acquired the Japanese electronics maker in a $6.2 billion deal. Apple reportedly accounts for 27 percent of Sharp’s revenue. As reported earlier this year, Apple’s next “iPhone 8” is expected to feature an OLED display. In addition to the new display, next year’s iPhone is expected to feature an all-glass body, edge-to-edge display, and an integrated Home button. Of course Sharp’s targeted production date would mean that they would miss out on the iPhone 8 if Apple sticks to it’s usual timing.