TheElec learned that Samsung will become the exclusive supplier of LTPO OLED displays for the ‘Pro’ models in the Apple iPhone 13 series later this year.
According to reports, the Apple iPhone 13 will have four models, all using OLED panels. Among them, the two models of Apple iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max will use low-temperature polysilicon (LTPO) thin-film transistor (TFT) OLED panels produced by Samsung Display and support 120Hz refresh rate.
LG Display cannot supply Apple with its LTPO OLED for iPhone this year. But it is under development and strives to supply it in 2022.
Samsung Display supplied LTPO OLEDs for Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Note20 Ultra for the first time last year. Samsung calls this technology adaptive frequency or mixed oxide and polysilicon (HOP).
Also, Samsung Display is seeking to transfer part of its A3 production line in Asan for the production of LTPO TFT. The monthly production capacity of this production line is 105,000 pieces, of which about 60,000 pieces will be transferred to LTPO TFT.
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The source also said that Apple plans to use LTPO OLED in all iPhone models launched by the end of 2022.
LG Display Will Provide LPTO OLED Screens Too
LG Display has asked it to participate in the LTPO of iPhone 13. And Apple has accepted this request. For Apple, it is advantageous for LG Display to obtain LTPO OLED technology. We mean it can reduce its dependence on Samsung Display.
LG Display is currently building a LTPO TFT production line with a monthly output of 5000 sheets at the E6 production line in Pazhou. The company will invest 10,000 pieces of equipment per month in the first half of 2021 and another 10,000 pieces of equipment per month in the second half of 2021. The company’s goal is to ensure a monthly production capacity of 25,000 pieces by the end of 2021.
Compared with traditional OLED panel production, the production time of LTPO TFT takes about 2 weeks. On the basis of the previous low-temperature polysilicon (LTPS) process, LTPO TFT adds an oxide process to TFT production.
Last year, Samsung Display was the only supplier of on-cell OLED panels for the iPhone 12 series. The 5.1-inch iPhone 12 Mini and the 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max used this method. All models of iPhone 13 will use on-cell OLED.
The Apple Watch Series 5 and Series 6 models have already used LTPO display. And the main reason behind this is that it consumes less power.
