In a groundbreaking development set to revolutionize the iPhone experience, Apple is poised to equip all models of its upcoming iPhone 17 series with low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) thin-film transistor (TFT) organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screens. This move marks a significant departure from previous models, signaling Apple’s relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence in smartphone technology.
The LTPO TFT method, renowned for its superior power efficiency achieved through leakage current reduction, represents the pinnacle of display technology, overshadowing the conventional low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) TFT approach utilized in earlier iPhone iterations.
Industry insiders initially speculated that Apple might retain LTPS TFT for select lower-tier models within the iPhone 17 lineup due to supply constraints from BOE, a key display supplier lacking LTPO technology. However, prevailing sentiment suggests that Apple remains steadfast in its commitment to differentiation, opting to incorporate LTPO TFT across all four variants of the iPhone 17 series.
While BOE has successfully supplied LTPO-type smartphone OLEDs to other manufacturers like Huawei, its offerings have yet to meet Apple’s exacting standards. Efforts to bridge this technological gap have seen BOE providing LTPO-type iPhone OLED samples to Apple, albeit late last year, hindering their inclusion in the imminent iPhone 16 series but paving the way for potential adoption in the iPhone 17 lineup.
Anticipating the need to bolster BOE’s LTPO capabilities, Apple is expected to engage in collaborative initiatives aimed at enhancing the supplier’s technological prowess. Despite uncertainties surrounding BOE’s ability to meet Apple’s stringent requirements, industry analysts remain optimistic about the eventual integration of LTPO-type OLED across all iPhone 17 models.
Acknowledging Apple’s typical two-year development cycle for commercial products, industry observers underscore the challenge of altering the trajectory of ongoing product development projects with the iPhone 17 series looming on the horizon.
In a strategic maneuver to optimize OLED supply dynamics, speculation mounts regarding Apple’s decision to allocate OLED resources to entry-level offerings like the iPhone SE4 and legacy models slated for release next year. This strategic realignment could potentially bolster overall OLED shipments, notwithstanding BOE’s exclusion from LTPO-equipped models.
The possibility of repurposing existing OLED models, such as the 6.1-inch display featured in the 2022 iPhone 14, for the forthcoming iPhone SE4 underscores Apple’s resourcefulness in leveraging existing technologies to meet evolving market demands.
Against the backdrop of Samsung Display’s dominance in mass-producing OLED displays for flagship iPhone models and LG Display’s specialization in LTPO-type OLED production, BOE stands poised to play a pivotal role in expanding OLED volume for mid-tier offerings like the iPhone SE4 and legacy models.
Notably, Apple’s recent forays into LTPO TFT adoption, beginning with the iPhone 13 Pro series and extending to the introduction of the always-on screen display (AOD) functionality with the iPhone 14 Pro lineup in 2022, underscore its unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation in smartphone display technology.