Analysts claim that Apple would use flat screens on the most anticipated handset of the year, the iPhone 8. This is contrary to rumors that the 5.8-inch phone will have an edge-to-edge OLED display.
On Friday, a supply chain researcher and analyst named Wayne Lam of IHS Markit spoke with MacRumors about the iPhone 8. According to him, Apple will adopt flat screen OLED displays on the new iPhone similar to its predecessor's 2.5D glass design.
Lam likened the iPhone 8 to the recently launched LG G6 which has a 5.7-inch LCD, just a tad bit smaller than the upcoming Apple phone. "We anticipate a touchscreen with a new longer aspect ratio design to take advantage of the higher coverage area of the iPhone in its entirety. This new design language is expected to become the trend for 2017, as we all anticipate Samsung's reveal later this month," Lam said.
The LG G6 has an aspect ratio of 2:1 meaning the screen's length is double the size of its width while iPhones have a 16:9 aspect ratio. Lam noted that the longer aspect ratio of the iPhone 8 would enable Apple to use a Touch Bar-like functionality.
Notably, leaked pictures of the Samsung's Galaxy S8 also reveal a longer display without the home button. Apple has since announced plans to ditch the home button on the iPhone 8 to pave the way for new mobile payments features.
But there is a divide between what analysts expect and media outlets have reported. The latter have claimed that iPhone 8 will come with curved OLED displays like the Galaxy S7 Edge. In fact, Apple's suppliers have allegedly confirmed the Cupertino giant has ordered sufficient components to enable mass production. The iPhone 8 will clearly have an OLED display but whether it is of flat or curved remains to be seen.