Get ready for some big changes in the world of iPhones. Apple is rumoured to launch the fourth-generation iPhone SE early next year, and it’s bringing something new and shiny to the table—an OLED display. This will mark the first time the budget-friendly SE model ditches the old-school LCD for a brighter, more vibrant OLED screen, officially completing Apple’s transition to OLED across all iPhone models.
But this tech upgrade comes with a twist. According to Nikkei Asia, the shift to OLED means that two longtime Japanese panel makers, Japan Display (JDI) and Sharp, will no longer be part of Apple’s iPhone supply chain. This is a big deal, considering these companies were once the go-to suppliers for Apple’s LCD screens. In fact, back in 2015, JDI and Sharp pumped out a whopping 200 million LCD panels annually for iPhones. Fast forward to 2023, and that number has plunged to just around 20 million, with the iPhone SE being their last major gig.
As Apple phases out LCDs, JDI is now pivoting to focus on making LCDs for cars, while Sharp is dialling back its LCD business altogether, moving away from TV panels. Meanwhile, Apple has reportedly started placing orders for OLED displays for the upcoming iPhone SE from China’s BOE Technology Group and South Korea’s LG Display.
So, what can we expect from the new iPhone SE? Rumour has it the design will echo the iPhone 14, with a larger 6.06-inch screen, Face ID, a USB-C port, and even an Action button. The device is also likely to pack some serious power with an Apple-designed A18 processor, along with 8GB of RAM—double what we saw in the 2022 model.
Production is expected to kick off this October, with a potential release date either around the Lunar New Year in January 2025 or in March, sticking with the tradition of previous SE launches.
