It looks increasingly likely that the iPhone 8 will have a curved screen, with Apple planning a large order with manufacturer Samsung for OLED curved-screen panels, according to multiple reports.
This means that at least one of the new iPhone models will have a curved display.
The Nikkei Asian Review reported: "A supply chain source familiar with iPhone designs revealed the size of the order, which was in line with an estimate by David Hsieh, senior director at research company IHS Markit. It will be the first time Apple adopts a curved OLED screen for its iPhones, marking a major overhaul and generating high expectations for the model.
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"'Apple has ordered 70 million units of OLED panels from Samsung this year, while Samsung is preparing to churn out as many as 95 million for Apple in 2017, in case demand exceeds expectations."
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It is not clear whether the screens would be curved to support new functions - as is the case with its competitor, Samsung, and its Galaxy devices - or whether the screen curve would simply be a cosmetic upgrade.
The Wall Street Journal reported back in in 2016 that Apple was considering a curved screen, however, recent rumours have suggested that the company would stick with its traditional flat design.
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Apple is expected to unveil three devices later this year, which marks the 10th anniversary of the iPhone launch.
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A new large-format device is expected to be launched, along with two smaller devices that will follow on from iPhone 7. The two smaller devices are expected to have flat screens.
Apple is rumoured to be planning to call its next smartphone the iPhone X in a break from naming tradition. It would be likely that would be the name given to the bigger device with the smaller legacy devices continuing the numerical name.
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Although, to be fair, these rumours aren't always to be trusted as, according to Japanese tech blog Macotakara, Apple was going to release a new iPhone in March. Needless to say, that never materialised.
For anyone still clinging on to hope of a headphone jack returning, It doesn't look likely. In fact there's likely to be even more changes, with the physical home button expected to disappear as the whole face will be a screen.
Topics: Apple