Japan Display has developed a new technology that will make it cheaper to produce OLED panels. It is expected to supply OLED panels to Apple soon.
It is apparent that Samsung is the real winner if Apple manages to ship millions of Iphone X units this November. Samsung will get $110 from sale of each iPhone X and stands to gain as much as $4 billion from the sale of iPhone X during this year.
According to Reuters, a group firm of Japan Display Inc is looking to raise $900 million to mass produce OLED panels. A source familiar with the development claims JDI is working on a new technology that will bring down the cost of OLED panels. Samsung Display is the sole supplier of OLED panels for the iPhone X but it is expected to face competition from Japan Display.
With Apple adopting OLED panels for its iPhone lineup, display makers are looking at ways to mass produce OLED screens with lower cost and Japan Display believes that it has the technology to catch up with its South Korean rival. JDI, however, is not alone. Previously there were reports that Apple is planning to invest $2.7 billion in LG Display's OLED plant in order to get first dibs at the supply.
Display makers currently use evaporation method, which requires a specialised equipment made by Canon Tokki. With the new printing method, the cost of manufacturing should come down significantly. JOLED, an affiliate of Japan Display, has reportedly approached investors including Sony Corp and Canon Inc for funding. The firm is majority owned by state-backed fund and is planning to mass produce OLED displays in late 2018 or early 2019.
Source: digit