M4 MacBook Pro display uses quantum dot film for more vibrant color & motion performance

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AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in Current Mac Hardware edited November 2024

A display analyst shared that Apple has shifted from traditional red KSF phosphor film to quantum dot film in the latest MacBook Pro models with M4.

A slim laptop partially open, glowing with blue, purple, and red light against a black background.
M4 MacBook Pro. Image source: Apple



Quantum dot technology isn't new, in fact, Apple has been investigating its use in displays since at least 2014. By replacing the layer of phosphor film with nanocrystals made from semiconductor material called quantum dots, displays can display brighter and more vibrant colors.

According to DSCC analyst Ross Young in a post on X, Apple didn't previously use quantum dot film because of its use of the toxic material cadmium. However, that has changed with the release of the MacBook Pro with M4.

The latest cadmium-free quantum dot films have reportedly shown improved color and motion performance -- even surpassing previous films with cadmium. This has allowed Apple to shift to the superior film from red KSF phosphor.

Big Apple display news, they have adopted quantum dots for the first time. The latest MacBook Pro's (M4) use a quantum dot (QD) film rather than a red KSF phosphor film.

In the past, Apple went with the KSF solution due to better efficiency and lack of cadmium (Cd), but the pic.twitter.com/5olq9lEHs9

-- Ross Young (@DSCCRoss)



Generally speaking, users may not notice the difference unless viewing very specific examples meant to emphasize the effect. However, the technology does make the display better overall.

Quantum dots are man-made nanocrystals that exhibit quantum mechanical characteristics. They emit light isotropically after being excited by the backlight.

The effect brings the LED display closer to the color range and performance of OLED. However, that doesn't mean MacBook Pro wouldn't benefit from shifting to OLED in a future model.

What it does mean is that Apple may want to continue to use the mini-LED backlit panels for a while longer while OLED panel prices continue to drop. Previous rumors suggest 2026 for Apple's first OLED MacBook Pro.



Read on AppleInsider

Alex1N
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 22
    apple4thewinapple4thewin Posts: 459member
    Strange they didn’t mention that change considering they sometimes talk about the smallest updates as the biggest change ever
    libertyandfreedk49Alex1Nwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 2 of 22
    namethesprucenamethespruce Posts: 17member
    It's honestly insane to me how these displays just keep getting better. I remember when I got my first "Retina" MBP in 2014, I was completely floored. Then the "Liquid Retina XDR" MBP in 2021 blew my mind again. And I'm sure this isn't a mind-blowing innovation on its own, but it all adds up. 
    jas99macguiwilliamlondonAlex1Nwatto_cobra
     5Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 3 of 22
    JinTechjintech Posts: 1,102member
    Don’t innovate anymore my ass. 
    danoxjas99williamlondonAlex1Nwatto_cobra
     5Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 4 of 22
    jagnutjagnut Posts: 29member
    I wonder what effect this has with the optional Nano Texture display.    I just received my new M4 Max MacBook Pro.  I ordered it with the Nano Texture display to avoid reflections on the screen and it definitely stops reflections.   However, I am wondering whether I have made a mistake as it does seem kind of flat.  I mostly use it for photo editing in Lightroom and Photoshop.  I guess time will tell as I use it but I was wondering also what other folks experience is with the Nano Texture display .
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 5 of 22
    mikethemartianmikethemartian Posts: 1,688member
    JinTech said:
    Don’t innovate anymore my ass. 
    TVs using quantum dots in the displays have been sold at Best Buy for several years now.
    dewmewilliamlondonAlex1N
     0Likes 0Dislikes 3Informatives
  • Reply 6 of 22
    JinTechjintech Posts: 1,102member
    mikethemartian said:
    JinTech said:
    Don’t innovate anymore my ass. 
    TVs using quantum dots in the displays have been sold at Best Buy for several years now.
    When was the first time we had this in a laptop?
    jas99macguiwilliamlondonAlex1Nwatto_cobra
     5Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 7 of 22
    nubusnubus Posts: 863member
    JinTech said:
    mikethemartian said:
    JinTech said:
    Don’t innovate anymore my ass. 
    TVs using quantum dots in the displays have been sold at Best Buy for several years now.
    When was the first time we had this in a laptop?
    2019 - Samsung launched the first Quantum Dot notebook 5 years ago.
    dewmeJinTechwilliamlondonAlex1N
     0Likes 0Dislikes 4Informatives
  • Reply 8 of 22
    netroxnetrox Posts: 1,571member
    Kinda like what Apple did with hidden Thread radio and sensors. They didn't talk about them. 

    Also same with Apple's new watch with oxygen sensor although it no longer claims its existence. 
    apple4thewinAlex1Nwatto_cobra
     2Likes 0Dislikes 1Informative
  • Reply 9 of 22
    Xedxed Posts: 3,202member
    JinTech said:
    Don’t innovate anymore my ass. 
    TVs using quantum dots in the displays have been sold at Best Buy for several years now.
    With cadmium.
    jas99appleinsideruserdanoxwilliamlondonAlex1Nwatto_cobra
     6Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 10 of 22
    cpsrocpsro Posts: 3,281member
    jagnut said:
    I just received my new M4 Max MacBook Pro.  I ordered it with the Nano Texture display to avoid reflections on the screen and it definitely stops reflections.   However, I am wondering whether I have made a mistake as it does seem kind of flat.
    I recommend visiting a local Apple Store if you have one, to see nano for yourself and compare nano vs. glossy (with its anti-reflective coating) side-by-side. The bright lights of the store present a good challenge. Colors pop a lot more and text is definitely sharper with glossy. On the other hand, with nano I feel my brain relax and focus on the work at hand, as it needn't simultaneously struggle to separate content from reflections--it's rather like looking at a printed page.
    Xedjas99appleinsideruserAlex1Nwatto_cobra
     4Likes 0Dislikes 1Informative
  • Reply 11 of 22
    Xedxed Posts: 3,202member
    cpsro said:
    jagnut said:
    I just received my new M4 Max MacBook Pro.  I ordered it with the Nano Texture display to avoid reflections on the screen and it definitely stops reflections.   However, I am wondering whether I have made a mistake as it does seem kind of flat.
    I recommend visiting a local Apple Store if you have one, to see nano for yourself and compare nano vs. glossy (with its anti-reflective coating) side-by-side. The bright lights of the store present a good challenge. Colors pop a lot more and text is definitely sharper with glossy. On the other hand, with nano I feel my brain relax and focus on the work at hand, as it needn't simultaneously struggle to separate content from reflections--it's rather like looking at a printed page.
    I second this. 👆
    jas99Alex1Nwatto_cobra
     3Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 12 of 22
    john-uselessjohn-useless Posts: 76member
    JinTech said:
    Don’t innovate anymore my ass. 
    The quote was "Can't innovate any more, my ass!" — but yes, it's definitely apt here.

    Here's the original, from the Mac Pro 2013 introduction: https://youtu.be/KWkUab6IAts?si=nN459EsUs2BDUnrZ&t=148
    JinTechwatto_cobra
     2Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 13 of 22
    john-uselessjohn-useless Posts: 76member
    JinTech said:
    Don’t innovate anymore my ass. 
    The quote was "Can't innovate any more, my ass!" — but yes, it's definitely apt here.

    Here's the original, from the Mac Pro 2013 introduction: https://youtu.be/KWkUab6IAts?si=nN459EsUs2BDUnrZ&t=148
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 14 of 22
    john-uselessjohn-useless Posts: 76member
    Strange they didn’t mention that change considering they sometimes talk about the smallest updates as the biggest change ever
    I often wonder how they pick certain tiny innovations to promote as huge advances while others are kind of glossed over (if you'll pardon the pun).
    apple4thewinwatto_cobra
     2Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 15 of 22
    jagnutjagnut Posts: 29member
    cpsro said:
    jagnut said:
    I just received my new M4 Max MacBook Pro.  I ordered it with the Nano Texture display to avoid reflections on the screen and it definitely stops reflections.   However, I am wondering whether I have made a mistake as it does seem kind of flat.
    I recommend visiting a local Apple Store if you have one, to see nano for yourself and compare nano vs. glossy (with its anti-reflective coating) side-by-side. The bright lights of the store present a good challenge. Colors pop a lot more and text is definitely sharper with glossy. On the other hand, with nano I feel my brain relax and focus on the work at hand, as it needn't simultaneously struggle to separate content from reflections--it's rather like looking at a printed page.
    Thanks for the suggestion.  I’ll go ahead and do that while I still have time to go ahead and return it to swap it out if needed.
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 16 of 22
    dope_ahminedope_ahmine Posts: 270member
    AppleInsider said:

    … nanocrystals made from semiconductor material called quantum dots …

    A quantum dot is actually not a semiconductor material but a nanocrystal (ie a specially shaped particle) typically made of materials such as CdSe or InP.
    Alex1Nwatto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 1Informative
  • Reply 17 of 22
    JinTechjintech Posts: 1,102member
    nubus said:
    JinTech said:
    mikethemartian said:
    JinTech said:
    Don’t innovate anymore my ass. 
    TVs using quantum dots in the displays have been sold at Best Buy for several years now.
    When was the first time we had this in a laptop?
    2019 - Samsung launched the first Quantum Dot notebook 5 years ago.
    Wonder if they still use these displays?
    watto_cobra
     1Like 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 18 of 22
    JinTechjintech Posts: 1,102member
    john-useless said:
    JinTech said:
    Don’t innovate anymore my ass. 
    The quote was "Can't innovate any more, my ass!" — but yes, it's definitely apt here.

    Here's the original, from the Mac Pro 2013 introduction: https://youtu.be/KWkUab6IAts?si=nN459EsUs2BDUnrZ&t=148
    I was wondering if I had the quote right or not lol
    john-uselesswatto_cobra
     2Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 19 of 22
    danoxdanox Posts: 3,811member
    nubus said:
    JinTech said:
    mikethemartian said:
    JinTech said:
    Don’t innovate anymore my ass. 
    TVs using quantum dots in the displays have been sold at Best Buy for several years now.
    When was the first time we had this in a laptop?
    2019 - Samsung launched the first Quantum Dot notebook 5 years ago.
    A cancerous solution on their part…..
    Alex1Nwatto_cobra
     2Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
  • Reply 20 of 22
    JinTechjintech Posts: 1,102member
    danox said:
    nubus said:
    JinTech said:
    mikethemartian said:
    JinTech said:
    Don’t innovate anymore my ass. 
    TVs using quantum dots in the displays have been sold at Best Buy for several years now.
    When was the first time we had this in a laptop?
    2019 - Samsung launched the first Quantum Dot notebook 5 years ago.
    A cancerous solution on their part…..
    How so?
    muthuk_vanalingamwatto_cobra
     2Likes 0Dislikes 0Informatives
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