Apple has relied on Samsung's infrastructure practically since the launch of the first iPhone, in fact, the first model was managed by a Samsung processor. The Korean company over the years has become the main and most important chip makers worldwide and currently this division is the one that generates the most income within the Korean company.
But it seems that Apple wants to begin once and for all to reduce Samsung-dependency, and be in the form of memories, manufacture of processors, screens. The first step seems like is oriented to the manufacture of OLED panels, according to the latest leak published by the ET News medium, in which it is stated that Apple is working on an R&D center in Taiwan for the manufacture of this type of panel.
According to this medium, Apple has just acquired all the necessary machinery from the manufacturer Sunic System, to start conducting research tests in this field and to be able at some point in the future, to manufacture their own OLED screens, a move that I personally do not quite understand, since currently Samsung is still the king in this sector and can offer the best prices for quantity for an unquestionable quality in this type of panels
Currently LG Display uses the same machinery for the production of OLED panels, panels found on Xiaomi and Google devices, but it seems that they do not meet the quality expectations required by Apple, while Samsung's OLED panels do more than enough.
In recent years Apple has tried to diversify as much as possible the production of all the components that are part of the iPhone but it seems that for the iPhone 8, the only option available on the market has been that of Samsung Display, which will supply 92 million OLED panels before the end of this year, panels that will go destined for the iPhone 8, iPhone X or whatever the next iPhone model is finally called.