Apple Planning 2 iPhone X Models With OLED Displays in 2018: KGI's Ming-Chi Kuo

Apple is reportedly planning to launch two iPhone models with OLED panels which could be seen as successors to the iPhone X. KGI Securities' analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has claimed that the Cupertino-based giant is working on two iPhones with upgraded stainless steel frames as well as OLED screens.

Kuo predicts (via 9to5mac) that Apple may use more parts of stainless steel around the case of the handset, and adds that Apple currently uses four stainless steel bands on the iPhone X. This may mean that Apple will make slight visual changes to the successor to the iPhone X.

For those unaware, Apple currently uses OLED screen on its top-end iPhone X model while the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus utilise LCD panels. Kuo adds that the second model with OLED panel could be the 'Plus' variant of the iPhone X series. Further, Kuo says that the new iPhones will see specifications upgrades, but not on the rear TrueDepth Camera - something he's said before. It's worth noting that these are early predictions, though the analyst has a decent track record with Apple rumours. At the moment, it's unclear whether the alleged updated stainless steel frame will help in improving data transmission quality on the new iPhone models.

Kuo earlier predicted that Apple may not include the Touch ID fingerprint scanner in any of the iPhone models launching next year. Kuo had also hinted that all the iPhone models launched in 2018 will have a full-screen design with minimal bezels. If this may turn out true then the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus will be the last handsets to carry the company's iconic design. In a separate note recently, Kuo had also said he expected the next year's iPad Pro models to have Face ID as well.

Another report said that Apple has been designing iPhones and iPads for 2018 that would drop chips supplied by Qualcomm, citing people familiar with the matter. The decision to drop Qualcomm modems may affect iPhone models released in the fall of 2018. Separately, Apple's senior vice president of hardware engineering at Apple Dan Riccio recently revealed that the iPhone X launch was originally planned for 2018 - not 2017.