Rumors: iPhone With Curved OLED Screen; iPad Without Home Button

According to a report published by the Wall Street Journal, next year’s iPhone model could feature a curved organic light emitting diode (OLED) display screen. What exactly is the basis for this? Well, apparently Asian suppliers of the iPhone maker have been requested to boost their production of OLED displays.

As noted by the Wall Street Journal report, Apple is said to be deliberating between over 10 prototypes for its next iPhone offering, and one of them happens to sport an OLED display screen. Obviously, nothing is final yet, and if the tech giant ever decides on a final prototype that does not feature an OLED screen, its request to suppliers in Asia to build more OLED screens may just be a one time request.

Still, there is no denying that an iPhone that has an OLED display screen for the first time could definitely get Apple’s fans excited again. Not that they are not excited already -- 2017 happens to be the 10th year that the iPhone has existed, and Apple is sure to be introducing a new iPhone model that, in more ways than one, is special. Moreover, in light of its recent sales struggles, the company needs next year’s iPhone to be a monster hit. And an OLED display screen might just help do the trick. 

In today’s global smartphone market, LED screens are used by most devices. But just like what is happening to TV sets, OLED screens on smartphones are increasing in popularity, as evidenced by Google’s recent Pixel devices. If ever Apple decides to go OLED next year, there is a good chance that OLED screens will become the dominant choice for phone makers.

Meanwhile, a recent report published by Japanese Mac blog Macotakara suggests the possibility that Apple will be getting rid of the home button for its new iPad offerings. Moreover, the upcoming iPads next year may come with no bezels. According to Macotakara’s undisclosed source, there might be three new iPads coming this spring -- a 9.7 inch model, a 10.9 inch variant, and a 12.9 inch version. There is talk that the 10.9 inch iPad will be 7.5 millimeters thick (like the iPad Air or the iPad Mini 2), while the 12.9 inch iPad will be 7.2 millimeters thick.

With regards to availability, Macotakara’s report says that the new iPad devices will be released some time in March of next year. If this proves to be true, then Apple’s fans can expect to see new iPads well before they catch a glimpse of the new iPhone (iPhones are usually unveiled in the later part of the year).