Sharp CEO, Dai Jeng-wu, has revealed the company will start mass producing OLED smartphone panels this year – with new smartphones featuring its own OLED display set to launch in June/July 2018.

According to Taiwanese trade publication, DigiTimes, Jeng-wu states Sharp will commence mass production as early as Q1Y18.

The company affirms its is ready for OLED smartphone panel volume production, however, actual shipments will occur in line with clients’ product launch schedules.

The move will reportedly make Sharp the first Japanese-based company to have the capacity to mass produce OLED smartphone displays.

Reports reveal that Sharp intends to enter Apple’s iPhone X supply chain, where Samsung Display is currently the primary supplier of OLED smartphone panels.