TAIPEI -- Apple is likely to release another new iPhone with a liquid crystal display next year, according to a source privy to the company's product designs. The source also said Apple is tentatively planning two new handsets equipped with organic light-emitting diode displays.
If true, the new models will come as welcome news to suppliers across Asia, especially Sharp and Japan Display, which would have lost a significant portion of their LCD business if Apple switched entirely to OLED displays.
"The 6.1-inch LCD model will probably sport a metal back [like older iPhones] available in several colors," said the source, adding that the two OLED handsets will come in two sizes: one about 6.3 inches long and the other 5.8 inches.
OLED offers better color contrast and a brighter display compared with LCD. More importantly, OLED panels can be molded into curved screens and possibly made foldable.
Apple launched three new models this year, with iPhone X being its first model to adopt an OLED display. The company's iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are equipped with LCD screens.
All three handsets sport glass backs with either aluminum or stainless steel frames.
Samsung Display, a unit of Samsung Electronics, is Apple's sole supplier of OLED panels, which is likely why Apple wants to maintain a lineup of LCD-equipped smartphones -- at least until it has another supplier of OLED panels. Retaining the LCD models will also help beef up the iPhone lineup, as they will be available in different colors.
If Apple does use metal backs for the next iPhone, Casetek, a subsidiary of iPhone assembler Pegatron, could become a supplier for the first time. The source said that there was a good chance that Casetek would win orders for the LCD model, as the design may be similar to iPads, for which Casetek is already supplying casings.
Pegatron is a smaller rival to key iPhone assembler Hon Hai Precision Industry, better known as Foxconn Technology Group. Foxconn has monopolized iPhone X orders this year, while Pegatron makes the iPhone 8.
Foxconn and its smaller Taiwanese rival Wistron split production of the iPhone 8 Plus.