What you need to know
- A new report says Samsung will be the sole supplier of LTPO OLED displays for the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max.
- That means that the 2 'Pro' models of iPhone 13 will come with 120Hz technology.
- "All iPhones" will reportedly get the technology in 2022.
A new report from the Korean outlet TheElec says Samsung will be the sole supplier of LTPO OLED displays for the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max in 2021.
According to the report:
Samsung Display will be the exclusive supplier used by Apple for organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels used in the two highest tier models of its next iPhone, TheElec has learned.Both models of iPhone 13 will use low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) thin-film transistors (TFT) OLED panels made by Samsung Display.Apple's iPhone 13 will have four models and all of them will use OLED panels. The top two models will use LTPO OLED that can support 120Hz refresh rate.
As noted, that means that the 'Pro' variant of the iPhone 13 will indeed get 120Hz displays, whilst the regular iPhone 13 will not. According to the report, LG will join the fray in 2022, and Apple plans to use LTPO OLED displays for "all its iPhone models" next year.
LTPO technology is currently used in Apple Watch to enable its 'always-on' display and variable refresh rate, a vital update to the iPhone which could enable not only 120Hz but the same 'always-on' technology without compromising on the iPhone's battery life.
The report notes that LG "had requested" to help supply LTPO for iPhone 13, which Apple had accepted. However, TheElec now indicates LG won't supply LTPO OLED this year and is instead aiming to increase its capacity in 2021 with a view to supplying LTPO displays next year instead. The report further notes that LTPO production takes about two weeks longer compared to conventional OLED displays and that it would be beneficial if Apple could reduce its reliance on Samsung for the tech in the future.
TheElec also reports that all iPhone 13 models will get on-cell OLED panels, currently only used in the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Apple is expected to debut the iPhone 13 in September with a lineup that closely resembles the 'four phones in three sizes' model just like the iPhone 12.
