Apple supplier LG is reportedly planning to convert its production line for OLED displays, which are used in the iPad Pro, among other things. In the future, in addition to panels for tablets and computers, displays for the iPhone will also be manufactured there. South Korean electronic magazine The Elec reports Quoting informed sources.
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Apple’s first iPad with an OLED display, the iPad Pro, was launched in May 2024. The fact that demand is falling does not seem unusual. Of course, it’s unclear whether Apple and LG expected this development — or whether internal sales expectations were high, especially for the thinner new iPad with the higher-contrast screen.
Windows on ARM: cheap notebooks with new entry-level SnapdragonThe conversion is quite cheap for LG
From LG’s perspective, the change is a cost-efficiency measure, The Elec reports. This means the company can increase production of its iPhone displays without building an entirely new production line. Its cost is estimated at approximately two trillion won, which is equivalent to approximately 1.3 billion euros. However, the existing line can be converted with comparatively less effort.
According to the report, the technical differences between the display types are mainly in the substrate and emission layers: iPad displays use glass substrate with two emission layers, while iPhone displays use polyimide substrate with only one layer. To make changes, you simply have to skip a few process steps and install additional touch components.
Apple still has to agree
LG Display plans to produce about 70 million iPhone OLED panels this year — a significant increase from 60 million last year. However, the conversion still requires Apple’s approval, which should take place by February.
However, from LG’s plans it can be seen that Apple clearly sees no further use for tandem displays in the short term. This would be in line with rumors that the introduction of OLED displays in MacBooks has been postponed.
(MKI)
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