New iPhone Model Will Have A Curved OLED Display Like Samsung, Set For Release In 2017?

Several rumors have been going around that Apple will be releasing three new iPhones in 2017 which will reportedly include a curved display similar to those used in Samsung smartphones. Nikkei Technology Online has previously reported that Apple met with LG and Samsung to discuss increasing OLED screen production ahead of September 2017.

According to mirror.co.uk, OLED displays use less power and are much brighter than their LED counterparts. Samsung is reportedly the only manufacturer that uses an OLED display and takes advantage of its flexibility which can be seen with Samsung EDGE series' curved sides starting with Galaxy Note Edge in early 2015 and continued with this year's Galaxy S7 Edge.

A report from the Nikkei Asian Review, their source is someone who is "familiar with Apple's plans." The anonymous tipster told the publication: "There will be a 4.7-inch model, another that will be 5.5-inches and a premium handset that will be either 5.5-inches or larger equipped with a screen bent on the two sides." The Verge noted that the description given was unclear and that it could mean an iPhone will have the curves similar to that of Galaxy S7 Edge, or a much subtle version like the Galaxy Note 7's curve. Nikkei also quoted an analyst claiming that the iPhone maker will use the same supplier (Foxconn) as Samsung for these new displays.

Apple is reportedly hoping that a curved iPhone will increase the demand for the device since it has been reported that the company's sales are falling. This has brought great success to its rival, South Korean tech company giant Samsung in the past years, with Galaxy S7 Edge outselling the flat version of the same hand phone, cultofmac.com reported.

Meanwhile, this isn't the first time reports like these have come out. There have also been reports that Apple is working on a curved glass iPhone for 2017. Back in March, reliable KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo made the same claim, and promised the device would also get a larger 5.8-inch screen. Kuo also thinks that next year's iPhone will offer wireless charging and more biometric recognition, like iris scanning which is also another feature that would be taken from Samsung, which put iris scanning in the new Galaxy Note 7.