iPad display tech will make iPhones brighter and more power efficient
Apple is thinking about bringing its iPad Tandem OLED tech to the iPhone to increase the brightness and potentially prolong the battery life of future models.
Tandem OLED uses multiple OLED layers - Image Credit: Apple
When Apple introduced the OLED iPad Pro in 2024, it did so with Tandem OLED panels. Now, it is seriously considering using the same technology on a future iPhone upgrade.
According to sources of The Elec, LG Display had talked to Apple about a Simplified Tandem OLED panel in 2024. Apple then talked to Samsung Display, its other main OLED partner, about the technology.
Apple has yet to actually decide on whether to progress with a Tandem OLED iPhone, with it still reportedly in talks with LG and Samsung over the tech. Apple has apparently expressed an interest in LG's tech, but it is thought that it needs other display partners to be on board before implementing it fully.
With Apple typically operating on a two-year schedule for development and mass production of its products, the report speculates that the first iPhone models using it could appear after 2028.
seems to have good sources regarding Apple's supply chain, though its accuracy in predicting future plans is still questionable.
Double display benefits
A Tandem OLED display is, at its simplest, two layers of OLED laid on top of each other and used together. OLED is a self-illuminating display tech that doesn't require backlighting, and stacking the panels means more light is emitted with minimal wastage.
The Simplified Tandem OLED modifies the concept to be a lot more efficient by not doubling up on all subpixels.
OLED uses red, green, and blue subpixels to create each individual pixel. A typical Tandem OLED will double up on the count, since there are two identical layers being used, so six subpixels are used per pixel.
The Simplified Tandem OLED technique still uses two layers, but the second layer only includes the blue subpixels, with gaps left open for the green and red pixels.
While both offer brighter displays with potential power savings versus standard OLED panels, the Simplified Tandem OLED should be simpler and cheaper to produce.
This is seemingly not the first time Apple has considered using Tandem OLED in its products, following the introduction of the iPad Pro using the tech.
In July 2024, it was reported that Samsung and LG Display were working on a version of the technology for micro OLED panels. The product, which again would provide a brighter display, has the potential of being included in an upgraded Apple Vision Pro.
Rumor Score: Possible
Read on AppleInsider