TrendForce -- iPhone 8 Will Avoid Flexible Display

February 28, 2017
 
A recent press release from TrendForce shows that the 2017 iPhone 8 (iPhone X) will only come in two storage options: 64GB and 256GB. In addition, it will have 3GB of mobile DRAM, an AMOLED display of 5.8 inches and a resolution of 2K. The report also confirmed that no curved screen will be present on Apple’s flagship phone this year, because of “production yield and drop test results.” The "iPhone 8" will instead use the same "2.5D" glass found on devices like the iPhone 7, TrendForce said. In that case, the display should be largely flat except for rounded edges.  TrendForce also mentioned 3D sensing technology, essentially referring to the facial recognition capability on iPhone 8. It also alludes to certain features connected to augmented reality, which Apple could use to create a virtually transparent iPhone 8. We’ve also reported earlier that the new iPhone could cost in excess of $1,000, and that’s been validated by TrendForce as well. In terms of expected sales, about 100 million units of all new iPhones are expected to be produced this year, of which the AMOLED variant will make up the biggest share. Including existing models, production volume is expected at 230 million units, up 6% from 2016. That could mean Apple doesn’t foresee any major spike in iPhone sales in 2017. Mac Otakara recently reported that a new red color variant of iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus could be released as early as March 2017, and a 128GB variant of iPhone SE is also expected to hit store shelves next month.
 
Somebody needs to tell Samsung about the change
 
While Trendforce has been a reasonable reporter in the smartphone space, the idea that Apple will somehow use a rigid display (meaning glass) that also curves at the edges is ridiculous. First, the radius of the curve is too tight for glass, second the Gen 6 supplying Apple uses a polyimide substrate. Moreover, if Apple was so unhappy , why did they increase their order by 60m units. This sounded so off that I checked with Samsung in Korea and they hadn’t heard anything about such a change.    
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