Massive 6.46-inch OLED Display ‘in Development’ for iPhone 9

Apple and Samsung have already begun “earlier than usual” development of OLED display panels destined for 2018’s iPhone models, which will feature massive 5.85- and 6.46-inch OLED displays, according to a report published Thursday by Korea’s The Investor (via the Korea Herald).

“The development schedule has been advanced considering diverse factors such as funding, facility investment and production plans,” one source familiar with the proceedings told ET News, via the Korea Herald. “Work for this year’s iPhone started in April, also earlier than usual.”

The report goes on to allege that Apple was at one point entertaining screen sizes of just 5.28-inches and 6.46-inches; however, due to a number of factors including consideration of the heightened demand for larger-screen phones and recent advancements in the technology and manufacturing industries, the company has decided to move ahead with the larger, 5.85-inch and 6.46-inch panels instead. The displays will reportedly be developed exclusively by Samsung Display Co., the display-making subsidiary of Samsung Electronics who’s already building the 5.8-inch OLED panel for Apple’s iPhone 8 model due out in a few weeks.

Of course, while this wouldn’t be the first report we’ve come across about the prospect of Apple launching a huge, 6.46-inch iPhone in 2018, worth noting is that the 5.85-inch model supposedly joining it will feature the same (or a very, very similar) form-factor to this year’s iPhone 8 flagship, which will ironically enough feature a 5.8-inch OLED display, too, the Korea Herald notes, meaning it would be fundamentally simpler for Apple to carry-over the same design of the iPhone 8. It will definitely be exciting to see what Apple has in store for the iPhone next year, if that’s the case; and especially in years to come.

Of course, let’s not get too ahead of ourselves and forget that it’s still 2017, and we’re still weeks away from Apple’s September 12th event, However if you’re an iPhone fan, through-and-through, there’s no doubt this is an exciting time to be one. After years of giving us relatively little in the way of innovation or design advancements, Apple is apparently starting to turn the tables in its own favor for a change — and all the other large-screen phone-makers out there should be very concerned.

[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.]