According to various rumors, the two Pro models of the iPhone 2021 series will have a power-saving LTPO display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Now there are more details.
The two “Pro” models of the next iPhone generation will be equipped with a power-saving LTPO display that will enable the iPhones to have a 120Hz refresh rate. This is now also reported by the Taiwanese news site DigiTimesAccording to the paid report, Apple suppliers Samsung and LG Display are in the process of converting parts of their production capacity to produce LTPO OLED panels for Apple's upcoming iPhones. The complete switchover of production from LTPS displays to LTPO is expected to be completed in the first half of 2021. Even if the transition to LTPO production is completed in the first half of the year, capacity will be lower than before due to additional steps in the development process. The article states:
iPhone 2021: ProMotion was originally said to be available on the iPhone 12 Pro
Samsung Display and LG Display, which now offer LTPS OLED displays for iPhones, are continuing capacity conversion to LTPO on their Apple-dedicated 6G OLED lines, with the conversion likely to be completed in the first half of 2021, the sources said, adding that production capacity will decrease due to the additional oxide step in the conversion from LTPS to LTPO.
In addition to Samsung and LG Displays, Apple is also looking to add Chinese display maker BOE to its list of LTPO display suppliers, despite the company's repeated failures in quality control tests. BOE is reportedly testing LTPO panels in a new Apple-dedicated department at one of its factories in China. The report notes that BOE "got the green light from Apple to deliver OLED panels in December 2020." Last year, it was widely expected that Apple would use LTPO displays in its 2020 iPhones to enable them to run the 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate.
iPhone 2021: Up to 20% more energy efficient
Despite an avalanche of reports, display analyst Ross Young accurately predicted in July last year that the technology would not debut until the 2021 iPhone. One plausible hurdle Apple could face is the increased power consumption that a higher refresh rate brings. In this regard, DigiTimes reports that the iPhone 2021 Pro models will have 15-20% reduced power consumption, even with the newer displays. Although not mentioned in the report, the improved power efficiency is likely due to the upcoming A15 chip that will power the new devices. Apple first introduced ProMotion in the 2017 iPad Pro. But so far, the iPhone has come up empty-handed. The higher refresh rate of 120Hz compared to the current 60Hz offers a smoother experience when scrolling and gaming. (Photo by Denys Prykhodov / Bigstockphoto)
