2019 iPhones Might Be Thinner and Lighter (Thanks to Samsung)
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Apple has a penchant for engineering thinner and lighter devices with most new generations — as best exemplified by its latest 2018 iPad Pros, which boast seemingly impossibly thin 5.9 mm shells.
For its next feat, a new supply-chain report out this week suggests Apple will employ a new form of display technology which will reportedly render at least one of its 2019 iPhone models thinner and lighter than ever before.
Citing industry sources, Korea’s ET News notes the new technology (developed exclusively by Samsung Display Co.) is based on touch-integrated flexible OLED display panels, which have a different construction than current iPhone displays.
Whereas current iPhone displays are constructed of a separate touch-sensitive layer placed atop the display, Samsung’s upcoming technology (dubbed Y-OCTA) will reportedly integrate the touch-sensitivity layer directly into the display, allowing the device to be “somewhat thinner and lighter,” notes 9to5mac.
“According to industry sources today, Apple decided to apply touch-integrated flexible OLED panels to the new iPhone and commissioned the development and manufacturing from Samsung Display,” the report continues, noting that Samsung recently signed agreements with “related companies” who will develop parts and materials to build Y-OCTA displays for Apple.
Sources ultimately noted the technology should be ready for deployment as early as next year, although initial supplies will be limited, they cautioned, possibly hinting that Y-COTA displays will be reserved exclusively for just one [likely high-end] 2019 iPhone model (until the following year, at least).
Samsung Display (who’s currently Apple’s exclusive OLED supplier for iPhone X and XS screens) reportedly showcased its Y-OCTA technology to the company earlier this year, in what was clearly a bid to retain its future monopoly of OLED orders despite Apple’s ongoing efforts to diversify and bring other display-makers like LG aboard its bandwagon.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]