Japanese OLED panel manufacturer Japan Display announced it will be mass producing OLED panels in 2018, which has led many tech media including Engadget and Apple Rumors to speculate Apple might be launching an OLED screened phone in the near future.

According to a Reuters report Japan Display announced it will be mass producing OLED panels in 2018 to catch up with Korean rivals Samsung and LG Display amid market speculations that Apple will be incorporating these screens in future iPhone models.

"We will take advantage of our advanced thin-film transistor technology in developing OLED screens," Reuters quoted Akio Takimoto, chief of Japan Display's research center saying at a press release held last Friday.

Citing industry sources, the report pointed out the announcement was made shortly after Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ), Japan state-backed fund and biggest investor in Japan Display and Sharp would be integrating the latter company’s display business with Japan Display.

An Engadget report has noted the released info coincides with market rumors that Apple will be abandoning LCDs in the same year.

Several media reports have pointed that Apple might be incorporating OLED panels in iPhones as early as 2018, other reports have pointed that Samsung and LG Display might be potential suppliers with an ET Times report earlier this month even claimed Samsung Display is close to sealing an OLED supplier deal with Apple.