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Future iPhones Could Adopt Superior Tandem OLED Display Tech

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Apple is planning to bring tandem-structure OLED panels to its iPhone lineup in the coming years, which would bring over some of the display improvements currently exclusive to Apple's M4 iPad Pro models.

iphone-16-pro-models-1.jpg

The Elec reports that Apple has set a two-year production plan for the superior OLED technology to be adapted for iPhone models. However, Apple has yet to decide whether to develop the panels in partnership with Samsung Display or LG Display, suggesting iPhones with tandem OLED won't arrive until sometime after 2028.

The tandem OLED displays used in Apple's iPad Pro models have two RGB organic light-emitting layers stacked together for increased brightness, improved power efficiency, and longer longevity compared to single-layer OLED displays. Currently, iPhone OLEDs use a single-stack method.

However, according to the report, the tandem OLED Apple is reviewing for iPhones involves stacking two layers for the blue sub-pixel only, while keeping red and green on a single layer. This method is apparently known in the industry as "simplified tandem."

LG Display is said to have proposed simplified tandem OLED to Apple based on confidence in its technology, and had already suggested tandem OLED for iPhones several years ago.

Apple is reportedly showing interest in LG's proposal, since Samsung is behind LG Display in developing this particular type of tandem OLED technology. Notably, LG's OLED panel shipments to Apple for iPad Pro models have exceeded those of Samsung, while its automotive OLEDs are also already built using a two-stack tandem method. By comparison, Samsung has mainly used a single-stack structure for automotive OLEDs.

Ultimately, Apple is likely to rely on multiple suppliers for the technology to ensure production capacity and maintain price competitiveness. That suggests China's BOE may also be called upon. As with all rumors running this far into the future, Apple's plans could of course change.

Article Link: Future iPhones Could Adopt Superior Tandem OLED Display Tech
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/08/04/future-iphones-tandem-oled-display-tech/
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I wonder if LG's simplified tandem will use the new phosphorescent blue emitters in the second layer (I believe that a tandem phosphorescent / fluorescent blue is believed to be needed for the first commercially viable phos blue emitters).
 
I love how OLED was written off for so long because microLED was on the horizon... Now look at how much OLED has improved in the last 10 years. Crazy peak brightness, virtually no burn-in concerns for end consumers, and now (thanks to tandem) we're even getting the full-screen brightness that has eluded the TV panels for years. These displays are so incredibly beautiful from any angle, it's a shame that we can't have them in cheaper iPads and MacBooks yet.
 
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BNBMS said:
By the display tech, Apple is leading the industry and there are no competitions. Even then, Apple is still trying to improve it such as OLED MBP in 2026.
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In phones, there absolutely is competition. The 25 Ultra, Pro XL 9, OnePlus. They have all have amazing screens, and are comparable or even better than Apple's in some respects.
 
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On my iPad Pro 13 I’ve noticed the new display isn’t as durable. I’ve had to replace it once so far. The old iPad display was like a tank.
 
Apple needs to bring the Samsung M14 display to the base iPhone 17 models with the exception of the iPhone Air!
 
BNBMS said:
By the display tech, Apple is leading the industry and there are no competitions.
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No, Apple doesn’t make screens. LG and Samsung, amount others, do. Apple is completely at their mercy.

If it made financial sense for them, Samsung or LG could cut off Apple completely leading to significantly inferior display tech in every device Apple sells.
 
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TechRunner said:
If LG has been talking to Apple about this technology for years, and Apple is considering using LG for these displays, why would it take until 2028 to implement them? Is the testing procedure that lengthy/rigorous?
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Apple just likes to milk the ever loving F out of existing technologies, especially in this part of the cost curve.

They make absolute bank by continuing to ship displays that are "fine", as the costs continue to drop for them, and they naturally never adjust phone prices anywhere but up.
 
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Jay Tee said:
Would this affect individuals with PWD sensitivities?

I’m still using my iPhone 11.
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I've not had issues with any apple display until I bought one of the iPads with one. I ended up returning it because it caused horrible eye strain and headaches. So probably yes if I never had issues with other OLEDs or miniLED displays and those did give me trouble.
 
turbineseaplane said:
Apple just likes to milk the ever loving F out of existing technologies, especially in this part of the cost curve.

They make absolute bank by continuing to ship displays that are "fine", as the costs continue to drop for them, and they naturally never adjust phone prices anywhere but up.
Click to expand...
I'd hate to think that's the driving force behind the wait, but I wouldn't feel comfortable disagreeing with you!
 
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TechRunner said:
I'd hate to think that's the driving force behind the wait, but I wouldn't feel comfortable disagreeing with you!
Click to expand...

Modern capitalist practices take full advantage of our human instinct to not expect or want to believe the worst behaviors.

Corporate structures and their somewhat perverse incentives combined with detachment from the actual subjects of the results = Behaviors that normal healthy cooperative and good natured humans wouldn't expect or actually want.

In a similar vein -- I have a very close friend who's in Private Equity and makes a phenomenal living ... and he's got all kinds of brain games and justifications he uses to make it "ok" to do the gutting they do ... the detachment from being on the front lines of the result of their action is a big part of it.
 
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Well I was expected iPhone with tandem OLED From last year When there was limited edition phone with tandem OLED display in 2023 and Huawei Mate 70 RS Ultimate Design with tandem OLED display in 2024.

I was also expecting display resolution upgrade has Android phones got 1440 (width) × 3120 (height) resolution but current iPhone 16 pro max has 2868 (height) × 1320 (width) resolution and the gap is getting wider with every new phone that come out.

This news is welcome change but I was expecting it for 20th anniversary edition iPhone not late 2028 or 2029 iPhone which is a bit disappointing by the time it come out I expect every flagship phone to have tandem OLED with better display resolution or someone will surprise me with QDEL (Quantum Dot Electroluminescent) Display in phone (which is expect to come out in tv and desktop monitor by 2027).

If this news is true It seem it is Apple will be years behind in technology for foreseeable future. which is disappointing considering Apple used to be first to bring new technology to iPhone gone are the old days. I am bit surprise How times have changed.
 
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Oh I hope so. Give me this and a screen with no notch or island, and I’ll have a reason to buy a new iPhone. I have been hoping for a truly all screen display since the iPhone X.
 
It would be great for the iPhone Pro Max to support the Apple Pencil.
 
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