Apple logo is seen inside the Apple Store in Palo Alto
Apple logo is seen inside the Apple Store in Palo AltoREUTERS/Stephen Lam

Apple's upcoming flagship smartphone dubbed as the iPhone 7 is still months away before being launched, but talks about its successor, the iPhone 7s, has started. It has now emerged that Apple may switch from LCD to OLED panel for the device.

According to Japanese newspaper Nikkei (via Phone Arena), the Cupertino giant will introduce OLED screen in the iPhone 7s, which is expected to be released in the third quarter of 2017. 

It may be noted that Forbes had reported that Apple was trying to strike a deal with Samsung to provide OLED screen for its future devices. However, a note by KGI Securities (via 9to5mac) has claimed that Foxconn, which has been a major supplier of Apple devices, is investing in $4bn LTPS TFT-LCD plant for iPhone that will start mass production in 2018. It has given a hint that Apple may not move away from LCD screens for a while. 

However, it will be a good move if Apple shifts from LCD screens to OLED, as the latter is superior in quality and will help the company produce a thinner handset.

Meanwhile, Apple appears to be preparing for the launch of its next-smartphone device, the iPhone 7, at the moment. It is expected to be released in September by the time its predecessor completes a year cycle in the market.

The upcoming device is expected to sport a 4.7-inch display and measure between 6.0 mm and 6.5 mm in thickness, compared to 7.1 mm seen in iPhone 6s. It is expected to be powered by an A10 chip, come packed with a 2GB/3GB RAM and house a camera that is capable of taking pictures of DSLR quality.