There are more hints Apple is changing up its display tech for the iPhone 8

Now that we've got all of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus excitement out of the way, it's time to turn our attention to the iPhone 8 (or whatever it is Apple decides to call it). These phones are planned a long way ahead of time, and we're already hearing rumours about what's in store for 2017.

The particular rumour we're interested in here concerns display technology: Tai Jeng-wu, president of electronics giant Sharp, has told an audience of students that the iPhone 8 will use OLED display technology, something we've already heard whispers about.

Pay attention at the back - Sharp has just been bought out by Foxconn, Apple's main manufacturing partner in Asia, and the word on the Cupertino grapevine is that Apple wants to start making screens in-house with the help of Sharp and Foxconn. Sharp already makes some of the displays used in the current generation of iPhones.

That display tech in full

Today's iPhones use LTPS (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Silicon) LCD technology and are of course already great to look at, but the switch to OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) displays (similar to those used in Samsung Galaxy phones) would mean better colour contrast and an easier path to making curved screens. The Apple Watch already uses an OLED display.

Perhaps not the most interesting of iPhone rumours to the average consumer, but you're going to be spending a long time staring at the screen, so it's important to understand the technology behind it. It's also a clue that Apple may one day add a curved screen to its iconic smartphone handset.

We're also hearing that next year's iPhone will have a glass back and there might even be a third size and form factor to celebrate 10 years of iPhones. If you want to get in early with all the iPhone 8 speculation, we've got a complete round-up here.

Via 9to5Mac

TOPICS
David Nield
Freelance Contributor

Dave is a freelance tech journalist who has been writing about gadgets, apps and the web for more than two decades. Based out of Stockport, England, on TechRadar you'll find him covering news, features and reviews, particularly for phones, tablets and wearables. Working to ensure our breaking news coverage is the best in the business over weekends, David also has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci and a few other places besides, as well as being many years editing the likes of PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook.

Latest in iPhone
iPhone 16 Pro Desert Titanium in hand
I think the rumored iPhone 17 Pro redesign looks great – but is it Apple enough?
Apple iPhone 16 Review
New iPhone 17 report lends weight to rumors of major display and camera upgrades, and a pricey Apple foldable
Apple iPhone 16 Review
The latest iPhone 18 leak hints at a major chipset upgrade for all four models
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold main display opened
Apple is rumored to be prioritizing battery life on the foldable iPhone – which could also feature a liquid metal hinge for added durability
The home screen on an iPhone 16e smartphone
I think the iPhone 16e is too expensive – and as it turns out, so does nearly everybody else
Apple iPhone 16 on orange background with big savings text overlay
You can get a free iPhone 16 Pro Max without a trade at Verizon right now - with one minor catch
Latest in News
Girl wearing Meta Quest 3 headset interacting with a jungle playset
Latest Meta Quest 3 software beta teases a major design overhaul and VR screen sharing – and I need these updates now
Microsoft
"Another pair of eyes" - Microsoft launches all-new Security Copilot Agents to give security teams the upper hand
Hatch Restore 3 in Putty
You can finally start your day with The Office theme song, and I couldn't be more excited
Cassian Andor looking nervously over his shoulder in Andor season 2
New Andor season 2 trailer has got Star Wars fans asking the same question – and it includes an ominous call back to Rogue One's official teaser
Ncuti Gatwa as The Fifteenth Doctor in Doctor Who
Disney+ drops new trailer for Doctor Who season 2 that promises an epic adventure across time and space
23andMe
23andMe is bankrupt and about to sell your DNA, here's how to stop that from happening