Two deals struck by Apple sparked speculation as to the company’s plans for future iPhone components, specifically in the areas of screens and processors.

According to Bloomberg, Apple has opened a “secret laboratory in Taiwan” to work on displays, although the presence of a Bloomberg report does stretch the definition of secrecy.

The facility was previously owned by Qualcomm in order to drive its own Mirasol screen technology, and the iPhone maker is now reported to have taken on staff from Qualcomm and local display maker AU Optronics.

It was suggested that the intention is to enable products that are “thinner, lighter, brighter and more energy efficient”. It would also be able to reduce its reliance on suppliers such as Samsung, LG Electronics, Sharp and Japan Display, with it instead creating its own products and then outsourcing manufacturing – as it does with chips.

Separately, it was reported that Apple had bought a “small” silicon manufacturing facility in California, which apparently would be suited to low-volume manufacturing and process development.

According to Apple Insider, the facility does not support the most modern process technology, meaning a costly upgrade may be needed to support advanced efforts.