Apple wants to build its own OLED displays to reduce reliance on Samsung, says supply chain report

Apple is trying to cut down on its dependance on lone suppliers of critical iPhone components, especially in the case of its reliance on Samsung for OLED displays.

According to a new Digitimes report, Apple is rumored to be building a new facility to better control the production of OLED screens expected to be used in the iPhone 8 and beyond. 

Samsung, one of the Apple's biggest rivals in the industry, has thus far been tapped as the exclusive supplier of the new screens. That exclusivity might not last beyond the next version of the iPhone, expected to be released later this year. 

Digitimes reports that Apple has already bought some chemical vapor deposition (CVD) machines, which are used to build OLED panels. The machines will reportedly be used to set up a new research and development facility in Taiwan, where the company can begin working on its own line of screens. Read more...