It is said that Apple will introduce major improvements for its iPhone starting with the 2017 release. Speculations suggest that one change is a new OLED display for the iPhone 8.

According to the Nikkei Asian Review, Sharp president Tai Jeng-wu has alluded to the next iPhone as using OLED technology for its display when it rolls out next year. This is reportedly a part of a major revamp by the Cupertino-based tech giant, particularly for the iPhone lineup that will celebrate its tenth year in 2017.

"The iPhone has been evolving and now it is switching from LTPS (low-temperature polysilicon) to OLED panels," Tai stated.

Tai added that the switch to LED technology will be one of the innovations for Apple's iPhone. This is a huge upgrade over the current lineup, as Apple introduced the current-generation iPhone 7 with an LCD panel. "We don't know whether Apple's OLED iPhones will be a hit, but if Apple doesn't walk down this path and transform itself, there will be no innovation. It is a crisis but it is also an opportunity," the Sharp executive said.

Meanwhile, should the switch happen, industry followers say that the iPhone 8 may launch as a full lineup, with an iPhone 8 Plus that will sport higher contrast and brightness levels, as well as a dual-curved edge display. This is certainly possible since OLED technology for the screens allows other flagship series, the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy Note 7, to come out with dual-curved edge screens.

Apart from a switch in display tech, the iPhone 8 is also said to incorporate an entirely new, revolutionary design for its form factor. Speculations suggest that the next iPhone may include an all-glass body, and will be a sandwiched, closed-off iteration without physical buttons and embedded Touch ID feature, as well as ditching the standard 3.5mm audio jack, making it a true waterproof device.