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According to an analyst, Apple will introduce the Always-on Display technology LTPO across the entire iPhone lineup with the iPhone 17.
Variable refresh rates enable features such as Always-on Display or ProMotion, which Apple has previously reserved for the iPhone Pro models. Analyst opinions on Tuesday now suggest that this could change. According to David Naranjo of Display Supply Chain Consultants, LTPO penetration [in smartphones] will increase from 10 percent in 2021 to 23 percent in 2022. explained Naranjo:
The rise of LTPO is the result of strong demand for higher refresh rates and always-on displays with lower power consumption. Apple launched its first LTPO smartphones in 2021 with the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max. In 2025, the DSCC expects all of Apple's iPhone 17 models to use LTPO panels as LTPO capacity continues to increase and costs fall.
What is LTPO?
Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide (LTPO) is a backplane technology that allows a display to change its refresh rate dramatically and dynamically. This does not require any additional hardware between the graphics controller and the GPU. The lack of additional hardware means that the display has fewer components, which reduces power consumption and extends the battery life of the hardware. This technology is used for Apple's ProMotion Display System, which can achieve a refresh rate of 10 Hz to 120 Hz when in use, or 1 Hz for the iPhone 14 Pro's always-on display. This is also the reason why the Apple Watch has a refresh rate of just 1 Hz starting with the Apple Watch Series 5. A low refresh rate can be used when nothing is changing on the display to minimize power consumption. When drawing with a pen or playing games, on the other hand, a 120 Hz refresh rate might be more beneficial for users.
The iPhone 17 is expected to be released in 2025
LTPO technology was introduced to the iPhone to enable the ProMotion feature in the iPhone 13 Pro and later enabled the lower refresh rate required for the Always-on Display. The introduction of LTPO technology in non-Pro iPhones is no guarantee that ProMotion will be used in those devices as well. But it does mean that Apple will likely include the Always-on Display feature in all models. So far, Apple has reserved ProMotion for Pro devices like the iPad Pro, MacBook Pro, and iPhone Pro.
It is unlikely that ProMotion will also find its way into cheaper devices. In addition to the always-on display, there are other possible uses for LTPO. For example, users can enjoy videos recorded at 24 Hz at their native frame rate. The Display Supply Chain Consultants, led by Ross Young, has a very good reputation when it comes to not only extracting data from Apple's supply chain but also recognizing the company's plans and schedules. This forecast can therefore be taken seriously. (Photo by Unsplash / Thujey Ngetup)
