Samsung to Produce LTPO TFT OLED Display Panels for New iPhone

Samsung is planning to convert its Apple dedicated OLED line to one that can produce low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) thin-film transistor (TFT) panels within the first half of 2021, according to a new report from UBI Research.

The A3 factory line has been manufacturing low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) TFT OLED panels. To support a 120Hz refresh rate, Apple will purportedly move to LTPO TFT which consumes less power than LTPS. Samsung has already used the technology in its Galaxy Note20 Ultra smartphone.

It’s believed that Apple will use the LTPO TFT OLED panels for its higher-tier iPhone models launching later this year. Samsung will be the exclusive supplier for these display panels while LG will continue providing LTPS TFT OLED panels.

Switching to LTPO reduces produces production capacity due to the added oxide process step. Once Samsung has completed its conversion to LTPO TFT, the line is said to have a production capacity of 70,000 substrates per month, down from 105,000.

Finally, UBI says BOE got approved as an OLED supplier last December and is putting in an Apple dedicated line at its B12 plant in Chongqing. Production could begin at that plant in November.

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