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'iPhone 13' 120Hz ProMotion display production started by Samsung

Last updated

Samsung Display and LG Display have reportedly started producing OLED panels for the "iPhone 13," with Samsung said to be creating 120Hz ProMotion displays for the Pro models.

Ahead of the fall launch of new iPhone models, members of Apple's supply chain are ramping up production in order to meet the expected high levels of orders within the next few months. In the case of displays, it seems that ramping up has started earlier than first thought.

Samsung Display and LG Display are returning as display panel producers for the "iPhone 13," and have started production of the needed OLED panels, according to The Elec. The timing is approximately one month earlier than Apple's production schedules for the iPhone 12, though schedules at that time were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sources of the report claim Samsung commenced production halfway through May, while LG started its manufacturing of the components later in the month. It is thought Samsung is about a week earlier than LG for the organic material deposition process, while for the finishing module process, Samsung's apparently 10 days ahead of LG.

Of the displays, Samsung is said to be the only supplier of low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) thin-film transistor (TFT) OLED panels to Apple. Rumored to be used in the Pro models, the LPTO displays will support 120Hz refresh rates, enabling the long-rumored ProMotion feature.

For the non-Pro models, Apple will continue to use low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) TFT OLED panels, supplied by LG Display.

In terms of shipment numbers, Samsung is thought to be producing 80 million units of the display for the new iPhone, with between 120 million and 130 million total OLED panels anticipated to ship to Apple in 2021. For LG, it is apparently aiming for 30 million units for the "iPhone 13," and a total of 50 million overall for the year.

On May 26, supply chain reports claimed Apple chip partner TSMC had started its own production for the System-on-Chip that will be used in the next iPhone range, tentatively titled the "A15."

Other rumors about the "iPhone 13" include claims it will be slightly thicker than previous models, use a smaller notch for the TrueDepth camera array at the front, and have a larger rear camera bump.

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13 Comments

h4y3s 9 Years · 85 comments

What’s the latest on the camera? 

I heard sensor shift on all 3, and maybe a diagonal array? 

k2kw 11 Years · 2079 comments

Usually Apple makes a design improvement one year and then performance improvements they next.  So I am expecting this to be the 12S with a slightly bigger battery and the faster display but not the smaller notch.   That will come in 2022.   Hopefully we get touchId option back this year.  The Pandemic will be over in the United States by the fall but not in many countries.

thedba 12 Years · 790 comments


In terms of shipment numbers, Samsung is thought to be producing 80 million units of the display for the new iPhone, with between 120 million and 130 million total OLED panels anticipated to ship to Apple in 2021. For LG, it is apparently aiming for 30 million units for the "iPhone 13," and a total of 50 million overall for the year.

Those numbers are just mind blowing. 
This is one reason why Apple could not put Pro motion in the iPhone 12 Pro. The sheer numbers required by Apple to put into their flagship devices is just staggering.
Before someone says "Yeah, but Samsung sells more phones",  I don't think they sell as many brand new flagship devices as Apple.

CloudTalkin 5 Years · 916 comments

thedba said:

In terms of shipment numbers, Samsung is thought to be producing 80 million units of the display for the new iPhone, with between 120 million and 130 million total OLED panels anticipated to ship to Apple in 2021. For LG, it is apparently aiming for 30 million units for the "iPhone 13," and a total of 50 million overall for the year.

Those numbers are just mind blowing. 
This is one reason why Apple could not put Pro motion in the iPhone 12 Pro. The sheer numbers required by Apple to put into their flagship devices is just staggering.
Before someone says "Yeah, but Samsung sells more phones",  I don't think they sell as many brand new flagship devices as Apple.

The numbers are impressive.  Apple sells a lot of phones.  The volume of phones is not a reason that Apple didn't put high refresh panels in the 12 Pro.  Samsung had the capability to provide the panels for the 12 Pro/Max.  Apple chose not to put the panel in the 12's.  Whatever their reasoning, it wasn't due to lack of capacity.  

Why would anyone mention Samsung selling more phones?  It would be an irrelevant factoid.  Samsung Display makes panels, not phones.  Don't let petty fanboyism color your commentary.

thedba 12 Years · 790 comments

thedba said:

In terms of shipment numbers, Samsung is thought to be producing 80 million units of the display for the new iPhone, with between 120 million and 130 million total OLED panels anticipated to ship to Apple in 2021. For LG, it is apparently aiming for 30 million units for the "iPhone 13," and a total of 50 million overall for the year.

Those numbers are just mind blowing. 
This is one reason why Apple could not put Pro motion in the iPhone 12 Pro. The sheer numbers required by Apple to put into their flagship devices is just staggering.
Before someone says "Yeah, but Samsung sells more phones",  I don't think they sell as many brand new flagship devices as Apple.
The numbers are impressive.  Apple sells a lot of phones.  The volume of phones is not a reason that Apple didn't put high refresh panels in the 12 Pro.  Samsung had the capability to provide the panels for the 12 Pro/Max.  Apple chose not to put the panel in the 12's.  Whatever their reasoning, it wasn't due to lack of capacity.  

Why would anyone mention Samsung selling more phones?  It would be an irrelevant factoid.  Samsung Display makes panels, not phones.  Don't let petty fanboyism color your commentary.

Any links as to why Apple chose not to include pro motion into the iPhone 12? 

As for the irrelevant factoid comment, I disagree when sites like the Verge, amongst many, tell us about the beautiful displays that Samsung (and some others) put on their phones/tablets while Apple is still using boring LCD or more recently boring 60Hz OLED panels.
Fact remains, if Apple cannot secure tens of millions of certain component for their new iPhones, then that technology is simply not going in and will have to wait for at least a year. 
There may be other reasons too and do share if you have them.