IPhone 13 Pro models to use Samsung LTPO technology for 120 Hz screen

Samsung will be the exclusive supplier of OLED LTPO screens for the “Pro” models of Apple’s iPhone 13 lineup later this year, according to TheElec.

Apple’s alleged adoption of LTPO display technology would allow it to implement a 120 Hz refresh rate on the most advanced next-generation iPhones, as today’s report notes:

The Samsung monitor will be the exclusive supplier used by Apple for organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels used in the two top-tier models of its next iPhone, TheElec found.

Both models of the iPhone 13 will use OLED panels of thin film transistors (TFT) of low temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) made by Samsung Display.

Apple’s iPhone 13 will have four models and all will use OLED panels. The two main models will use LTPO OLED which can support 120Hz refresh rate.

An earlier report indicated that both LG and Samsung would supply the technology to Apple for the iPhone 13. According to the latest report, however, LG will focus on increasing its capacity this year to start supplying next year, with Apple planning to use LTPO OLED Views for “all its iPhone models” in 2022.

Other reports have suggested that the technology will reach at least two PiPhone‌ models in 2021, while display analyst Ross Young expects the “most important development” in the ‌iPhone 13‌ Pro models to be the adoption of 120 Hz ProMotion screens and update variables, something that has only appeared on the iPad Pro until now.

Several rumors before the launch of the ‌iPhone 12‌ line suggested that the high-end models of the iPhone 12 Pro could feature 120 Hz ProMotion screens, but later in the rumor cycle, it became clear that this feature was delayed until 2021 due to concerns about battery life.

Using LTPO technology would allow Apple to provide a much more energy-efficient rear panel, which is responsible for turning individual pixels on and off the screen. Depending on how Apple decides to do things, the technology could pave the way for longer battery life or always-on screen elements.

The Apple Watch Series 5 and Series 6 models already use LTPO monitors, which allows them to have the same battery life of up to 18 hours as previous Apple Watch models, despite having an always-on monitor.