Report: Apple to help AU Optronics become an AMOLED supplier for future iPhones

A report out of Taiwan that was published today, suggests that Apple will make an investment in AU Optronics to help the panel producer manufacture AMOLED displays for future iPhone models. Back in November, there was speculation that Samsung was going to be supplying Apple with AMOLED panels. LG's Display arm was also reportedly involved in similar talks as well.

AU Optronics would require an investment from Apple to help it develop the kind of infrastructure needed to deliver large numbers of AMOLED screens. While AU Optronics already ships AMOLED screens to Chinese smartphone manufacturers like Huawei, producing the displays for Apple would require a huge jump in production.

To make sure that it has enough components in case of an unforeseen event, Apple usually resorts to using multiple suppliers for key iPhone parts. For example, the tech titan relies on both Samsung and TSMC to produce the A9 chipset employed on the Apple iPhone 6s and Apple iPhone 6s Plus. AU Optronics could end up delivering AMOLED screens along with Samsung and LG Display.

While some expect iPhones to sport AMOLED screens by 2018, connected KGI Secuities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects this to take place in 2019. AU Optronics declined to comment about today's report.

source: FocusTaiwan via AppleInsider