iPhone 8: evidence mounts of an OLED display

If you were disappointed by the incremental updates in the iPhone 7, you now have more reason to wait for the next iPhone. A new report says Apple is allegedly in negotiations with Sharp to manufacture OLED displays for the iPhone 8.

An anonymous source told Bloomberg today that Apple is in negotiations with Sharp to secure OLED displays for Apple's next generation iPhone.

This news comes after Sharp announced today that it will spend $570 million (approximately £440 million, AU$744 million) in OLED production. Sharp aims to start production of the mobile displays by June 2018 according to Bloomberg.

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Why OLED?

OLED, or organic light emitting diode, is a display technology that doesn't require backlighting like traditional liquid crystal displays (LCD). Instead, each pixel is filled with an organic compound that emits light when an electrical current is passed through it.

OLED displays allows companies like Samsung to create curved displays found on the Galaxy S7 edge and Galaxy Note 7. Since OLED doesn't require a backlight, devices can be made thinner as well. For small electronics like smartwatches, OLED makes complete sense, which is why the Apple Watch 2 already has an OLED display.

Galaxy Note 7 display

While the LCD display on the iPhone 7 was rated as "the best mobile LCD display" by display analysis company DisplayMate, it isn't the best mobile phone screen. That honor goes to the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, which features an OLED display that offers better contrast, brightness and colors.

Apple may be working with additional partners on securing a supply of OLED screens for its next iPhone, according to Ubergizmo. Apple could theoretically obtain OLED displays from companies like LG, Japan Display or even Samsung.

The iPhone 8 might not be the only future Apple device getting an OLED display upgrade. There are rumors that Apple's preparing to refresh its line of MacBook Pro laptops with OLED touch screens.