Apple Suppliers Reportedly Developing OLED Displays With Low-Power LTPO Tech for 2021 iPhones

[MacRumors]

Apple's supply chain partners are already developing OLED displays using LTPO backplane technology for 2021 iPhones, according to DigiTimes.

A paywalled preview of the report reads as follows:

iPhone OLED screens may adopt LTPO backplanes in 2021, say sources
Apple has yet to introduce its 5G iPhones for 2020, but its supply chain is already developing OLED screens using LTPO backplane technology for next year's premium iPhone models, according industry sources.

LTPO technology would result in a more power efficient backplane, which is responsible for turning individual pixels on and off on the display. This could pave the way for longer battery life and/or new features like ProMotion or an always-on display.

While leakers Max Weinbach and Jon Prosser have claimed that ProMotion is a possibility on some 2020 iPhones, display analyst Ross Young believes that LTPO is essential if Apple plans to support ProMotion on the iPhone, as it would allow for a variable refresh as low as 1Hz when the device is inactive in order to optimize battery life.

The full report should be released by tomorrow, so we will update our coverage at that time if there are additional details.


Article Link: Apple Suppliers Reportedly Developing OLED Displays With Low-Power LTPO Tech for 2021 iPhones

 

[Mr. Dee]

At this rate, I might as well wait for the 2030 iPhone so I can get the best bang for my bucks.

 

[Skeith]

Great. I shall wait another year and get the 16" refresh this year.

 

[Baymowe335]

At this rate, I might as well wait for the 2030 iPhone so I can get the best bang for my bucks.

The 2031 iPhones are rumored to adopt “lowest power” LTPO, so you might want to wait for that unless you’re interested in “no power” LTPO that comes out in 2032.

Im waiting for 2032.

 

[Ronald Reagan]

Sounds like ProMotion is on this year’s models is dubious at best.

 

[EvilEvil]

At this rate, I might as well wait for the 2030 iPhone so I can get the best bang for my bucks.

I'm still rocking my 8+. I'm waiting for Apple to get rid of the notch as well as add on-screen touch ID.

 

[itsmilo]

If true I will keep my Xs Max another year. There really is not a reason to upgrade, always end up using the same old apps anyway.

Unless the redesign and new material is going to blow my mind haha

 

[now i see it]

Any time I hear "Apple" and "OLED" I tune out. They're like water and oil

 

[th1nk]

I am seriously thinking about rocking my iPhoneX another year. I really want notchless design and ProMotion...

 

[fbr$]

I want an iPhone capable of charging an Apple Watch via cable or via reverse wireless charging.

 

[nph]

Ok, stupid question, what is "promotion" on iphones?

 

[BornAgainMac]

Waiting for the iPhone you can dock to your Pro Display XDR and run as a Mac Pro when docked. One device that is your Mac, Phone, and Internet Communication device in 2035.

 

[Kylo83]

promotion 120hz isn't gonna come this year bummer

 

[recoil80]

I am seriously thinking about rocking my iPhoneX another year. I really want notchless design and ProMotion...

I may stick with my Xs for another year, I don't care about 5G but ProMotion would be a compelling reason to upgrade, love it on the iPad and having it on the OLED iPhone would be great

 

[Nozuka]

Any time I hear "Apple" and "OLED" I tune out. They're like water and oil

very happy with the screens on my watch and X 🤷‍♂️

 

[imnotthewalrus]

I'm still rocking my 8+. I'm waiting for Apple to get rid of the notch as well as on-screen touch ID.

I respect your choice. With that said, I recently decided to upgrade from my 8 Plus to an iPhone 11. I was on the fence for several months. The notch. The lack of a home button. But, and again I am speaking for myself, in less than an hour i really didn’t notice the notch and quickly got used to no home button. Also, the footprint of the phone is smaller though the screen is larger. Just my (unsolicited) two cents. BTW I got over $400 for the 8 Plus (256GB) on eBay.

 

[Mdracer]

This may be the tech they are seeking for an always on display.

 

[orbital~debris]

This sounds like further optimisation of an already-great technology.

The iPhone X and iPhone 11 Pro are wonderful computers with gorgeous displays – I love how rich the colours are on the OLED, how deep the black is and how bright they can be.

The one disappointment with Apple OLED is my Series 4 Watch because it's display doesn't seem as nice as my Series 0 model (although I do wonder if that's partly because of the sapphire crystal on the latter and the Ion-X Glass on the former).

 

[imnotthewalrus]

Any time I hear "Apple" and "OLED" I tune out. They're like water and oil

Same. As a lifelong “cluster” migraine sufferer, it’s a hard pass for me, let alone the other down sides.

 

[orbital~debris]

Waiting for the iPhone you can dock to your Pro Display XDR and run as a Mac Pro when docked. One device that is your Mac, Phone, and Internet Communication device in 2035.

Now that would be worth a re-make of the famous Steve Jobs moment. Love the allusion.

 

[macfan90]

Apple is always behind the curve with basic things, why not use OLED already or AMOLED. Then they announce features in such a way of excitement & brand new when really competitors had for a year or more. Apple is funny.

 

[dlewis23]

promotion 120hz isn't gonna come this year bummer

LTPO is not required for ProMotion to work, it just allows for 1 - 120 Hz in 1 Hz increments. Apple could still easily do a 30, 60, 120 Hz approach.

 

[BornAgainApple]

I respect your choice. With that said, I recently decided to upgrade from my 8 Plus to an iPhone 11. I was on the fence for several months. The notch. The lack of a home button. But, and again I am speaking for myself, in less than an hour i really didn’t notice the notch and quickly got used to no home button. Also, the footprint of the phone is smaller though the screen is larger. Just my (unsolicited) two cents. BTW I got over $400 for the 8 Plus (256GB) on eBay.

Same here, went from the 8+ to the 11. Only thing I miss is the 2x optical zoom, really came in handy for my line of work. I also warmed up to FaceID, much easier for me with the secure apps I use.

 

[xxray]

Ok, stupid question, what is "promotion" on iphones?

It’s the same ProMotion technology as on the iPad Pros. Basically, the screen refreshes faster so that when you’re scrolling or have large amounts of movements on a screen, things move more quickly and fluidly whereas they lag more without ProMotion. The screen is more responsive and the device feels faster and smoother.

This website demonstrates it in a really clear way. See how 60fps is really smooth? That’s a similar effect to what ProMotion creates, whereas 30fps and 15fps are more laggy and jittery.

 

[Populus]

Now what I’m really interested on, is if this screens are only for the Pro models, or the little 5,4” iPhone from 2021 will benefit from this low power panel as well. If so, maybe I could wait and buy the first port-less iPhone (not that I’m a huge fan of not being able to DFU restore your device).

If this screens are only for Pro models, then I’ll probably buy the last iPhone with a physical connector, the 2020 5,4” iPhone.