Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro series is expected to feature a high-refresh-rate OLED panel using LTPO+ (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide-plus) technology. This upgrade is anticipated to provide two key benefits: improved power efficiency for longer battery life and more responsive adjustments, particularly in low-light environments.
Overview
The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are expected to retain the same 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch sizes as their predecessors. However, the new report from The Elec indicates that the displays will be upgraded with LTPO+ technology, which is an advancement over the standard LTPO used in the iPhone 17 Pro.
What it does
LTPO+ technology extends the use of oxide materials to driving thin-film transistors (TFTs), in addition to the switching TFTs used in conventional LTPO. This enables finer current control for OLED light emission, allowing the displays to optimize their operation based on the surrounding conditions and user environments. The two expected benefits of this upgrade are:
- Improved power efficiency for longer battery life
- More responsive adjustments, especially in low-light environments, which could help reduce flickering or grainy appearances.
The report also mentions that the iPhone 18 Pro panels are expected to be produced primarily by Samsung and LG, as BOE was unable to secure Apple's approval due to its lower LTPO+ technology capability and panel quality.
Tradeoffs
While the upgrade to LTPO+ technology is expected to bring significant benefits, it is unclear whether the iPhone Ultra will also feature this new technology. Additionally, the report highlights the setback for BOE, which was a key partner on iPhone 17 Pro panels, in not being able to secure approval for the iPhone 18 Pro.
In conclusion, the iPhone 18 Pro's display upgrade to LTPO+ technology is expected to provide improved power efficiency and more responsive adjustments, making it a notable enhancement over its predecessor. As more details are revealed, it will be interesting to see how this upgrade affects the overall user experience and whether other iPhone models will also feature this technology.