Sketchy report again says ‘unnamed’ Korean manufacturer testing 65 inch OLED panels for future Apple ‘iTV’

Concept iTV via AmongTech

The Korea Herald reports that IBK Securities analysts believe Apple has requested sample display panels from a Korean manufacturer for potential use in a future Apple TV.

According to the report, Apple is testing 65-inch OLED panels for mass production of an ‘iTV’ next year. However, it should be noted the report is lacking in detail — only referring to the manufacturer as an ‘unnamed’ local display maker.

“Around 2 million Apple‘s iTVs with 65- and 77-inch liquid crystal displays were expected to hit the market in the second half of this year. However, Apple employees visited this local company in October 2013 to delay the plans to next year,” said a source close to the matter on Saturday. “Following the visit, the display maker’s stock prices plunged.”

It is also questionable whether yield rates are high enough for Apple. OLED televisions are uncommon in the mass market due to both their price and lack of supply. According to the report, Japan Display and Sharp (rumored suppliers of iPhone 6 displays) are still not prepared for mass production of OLED panels.

Reports of Apple’s interest in panels approximately 65-inch in size stretch back several years (such as this report from 2012) , although all plans have later been said to be delayed.

Most recently, 9to5Mac has learned of plans for a new revision of Apple TV, Apple’s current set-top box. The new box is said to feature a focus on apps and games. References to this new iteration have also shown up in iOS 7 source code.