Following on news that Verizon is having trouble keeping the Droid Incredible in stock due to supply issues that smartphone maker HTC is having with the Samsung-sourced AMOLED displays, we’re now hearing that Apple passed up the the chance to use AMOLED on its next-generation iPhone HD (4G) because of concerns over component supply. The report says that Apple considered using the brighter, power-saving display technology but decided to go with an IPS LCD display in order to save on component costs and, more importantly, meet demand for Apple’s upcoming iPhone.
Apple reportedly talked to Samsung to potentially provide the superior display for the 4th-generation iPhone. Had those talks panned out, the new iPhone 4 might have been blessed with one of Samsung’s Super AMOLED displays. Unfortunately, Samsung couldn’t meet demand. Word has it that, even if Samsung devoted its entire AMOLED production ramp to the iPhone, they’d only be able to meet about 50-60% of Apple’s demand. That obviously wouldn’t fly with the iPhone maker.
If Samsung is having trouble keeping up with demand for the HTC Incredible, there’s no way they’d be able to ramp up production to supply enough panels to keep Apple stocked with new iPhones.
Interestingly, this same report mentions that a CDMA iPhone is still under development at Apple. But, before you get too excited about seeing a Verizon iPhone, just know that this CDMA iPhone is still in early-stage development and probably won’t be ready for prime-time until 2011. Even then, this could just be the China-bound iPhone.
All eyes are now on Apple and their WWDC conference early next month. We’ll know more about the iPhone HD then. Stay tuned!
[Via: Electronista]