Apple may be planning on implementing a new type of touch-integrated display in some of its iPhones this year, according to a pair of supply chain reports. While likely motivated at least partly by supply chain diversity, the new display panels could also have some real, tangible benefits for consumers.<\/p>\n
The Reports<\/h2>\n
LG Display is said to be looking into upgrading its production facilities to produce a new type of touch-integrated display panels for Apple, Korea-based The Elec<\/em> reported on Friday.<\/p>\n Sources confirmed that the panels will likely be an Apple-exclusive, and added that new iPhones could also adopt LTPO backplane technology.<\/p>\n A touch-integrated display allows touchscreen circuitry to be installed directly on an OLED panel without the need to add a second layer. It\u2019s worth noting that a past report from ETNews<\/em> also echoed the potential adoption of a touch-integrated display.<\/p>\n LTPO, or low-temperature polycrystalline oxide, is a backplane technology that uses up to 15 percent less power than the current solution in Apple\u2019s iPhones today. Notably, LTPO backplanes are already used in Apple Watch Series 4 and Series 5 models.<\/p>\n But while the touch-integrated display panels are said to be on-time for Apple\u2019s 2020 iPhones, it isn\u2019t clear if LG will be able to produce iPhone-specific LTPO backplanes in time for the fall lineup.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also worth noting that Samsung was previously rumored to be Apple\u2019s sole supplier of specific OLED display panels for the 2020 iPhones. By tapping LG, Apple is obviously looking to lessen its reliance on Samsung as its only display provider.<\/p>\n As mentioned earlier, the new display tech could bring some real benefits to the iPhone 12 lineup.<\/p>\n Since touch-integrated displays wouldn\u2019t need a separate layer, it could mean less production cost and an overall thinner display.<\/p>\n That could allow Apple to keep some of its battery gains this year while returning to a slightly slimmer and lighter iPhone footprint. The lower production costs could also allow Apple to reduce the price on its iPhones, or incorporate other new features without raising it.<\/p>\n The use of LTPO backplanes, while not confirmed for 2020, could also result in more power-efficient displays.<\/p>\n It isn\u2019t clear, at this point, which models will adopt the new display tech, however \u2014 especially since Apple is largely expected to debut four new iPhones with OLED displays in the fall of this year.<\/p>\n ETNews<\/em> previously reported that a lower-cost model, presumably one of the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 devices, will retain a standard display. With that in mind, it could suggest that Apple\u2019s rumored 5.4-inch OLED display could also keep past technology. That would leave the rumored \u201cPro\u201d 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch devices.<\/p>\n In addition to new displays, this year\u2019s iPhones are largely expected to feature 5G compatibility, 3D time-of-flight cameras, and a new A14 chipset.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nWhat This Means for You<\/h2>\n