Samsung Set to Manufacture Cutting-Edge Displays for iPhone 18 Pro
Samsung is the world’s largest and most experienced maker of OLED display panels and has been supplying these screens to Apple for many years. According to recent reports, the company is preparing to make its most advanced OLED screens yet for Apple’s future devices including the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and the expected foldable iPhone.
ETNews reports that Samsung Display will provide LTPO+ OLED panels for Apple’s next generation of high end iPhones such as the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and the foldable iPhone. These advanced panels use oxide technology in the display’s driver unit which helps improve power efficiency and reduce battery consumption. They also allow Apple to place an infrared camera underneath the display.
With the use of LTPO+ OLED panels future iPhones are expected to deliver better power efficiency while still supporting a variable refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz. Samsung Display is also expected to be the only company supplying the foldable OLED panel for the iPhone Fold which will feature a more refined, crease free build.
Apple’s Face ID system is made up of three main parts: a flood illuminator, an infrared camera and a laser dot projector. At present, all of these sensors are placed inside a pill shaped cutout on the display which Apple calls the Dynamic Island. According to reports, the use of LTPO+ OLED panels in future devices like the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and the iPhone Fold could allow Apple to move the Face ID sensors under the display rather than keeping them in a cutout.
Apple has been exploring ways to diversify its display supply chain by collaborating with Chinese OLED panel companies such as BOE. However, companies such as Samsung Display and LG Display still remain ahead in terms of OLED technology, display quality and large scale production capabilities. As a result, BOE has been left out of supplying displays for Apple’s high end iPhones.
Samsung’s Galaxy S and Galaxy Z series smartphones already feature LTPO OLED panels. It is hoped that starting next year, Samsung will introduce LTPO+ OLED technology in its devices. This upgrade could help Galaxy phones achieve better power efficiency and allow them to compete more effectively with iPhones in terms of battery performance.
