Apple is talking with Sharp to secure a supply of organic LED displays for the iPhone maker’s next-generation of devices. Apple is pushing to increase the number of suppliers for OLED screens.
Sharp announced it will invest 57.4 billion yen (US$566 million) for the development of OLED production facilities, with the goal of starting output by June 2018.
The funds will be used for equipment in Sharp’s factories in Mie and Osaka, and to deliver sample products to customers, the company said in a statement.
“Apple has unofficially or as a nod encouraged Sharp to go into it,” said Amir Anvarzadeh, Singapore-based head of Japanese equity sales at BGC Partners.
“Apple’s general strategy is to increase the competition on the supply side, and dilute the risk exposure to one company.”
