This has definitely been a year full of rumors about Apple contemplating a switch to OLED displays for future iPhones and iPads. Thus far we've covered this subject matter in at least six reports (one, two, three, four, five and six) in addition to a recent Apple patent on advancing OLED technology. Today, the rumor mill is in high gear claiming that Apple is now notifying their supply chain that it will switch to OLED displays for future iterations of the iPhone.

Last week we reported that the Nikkei Asian Review had stated that Apple had notified supply chains that it intends to switch to OLED panels for iPhones released in 2017-2018 and is calling on display makers in Korea and Japan to begin expanding production for the technology.

We reported earlier that Apple's supplier LG is investing US8.5 billion on new OLED facilities over the next 2-plus years to produce OLED display technology that will be a 'game-changer' according to LG Display's CEO Han Sang-beom. The Nikkei Asian Review further noted that "Apple is aiming to release iPhones with OLED in 2017 but may be forced to wait until 2018 depending on supply and yield issues.

More specifically, JDI and JOLED are expected to increase cooperation in developing OLED, setting up new research facilities in 2016 in order to begin producing various samples. The makers expect to mass produce OLED by 2018, the report added.

Today the Japanese newspaper Nikkan (via gforgames.com) confirmed such developments at JDI stating that JDI is currently discussing a possible collaboration with Apple in order to secure OLED display orders for the 2018 iPhone lineup.

The Nikkan noted that "Japan Display (JDI), the start of the mass production of smartphones organic EL panel in 2018 spring. In '16 spring put in place a prototype line in Ishikawa Plant (Ishikawa Prefecture Kawakita Town) to establish the technology, then, to build a production line in the country. Apple intends to adopt the organic EL panel to smartphone "iPhone (iPhone)" to launch in '18."

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