We’ve been hearing for some time that the iPhone 12 could feature a big upgrade in display technology, and now the rumor has just been turned up another notch. Korean news media reported which companies will likely supply the OLED panels for next year’s iPhones, but tech blogs were quick to pick up other clues. Specifically, it sounds like the iPhone 12 Pro could have a much thinner display. The report also appears to confirm something else we heard, which is that Apple could release a smaller Pro model next year.
Smaller iPhone 12 Pro predicted
ETNews reports that Samsung Display and LG Display will likely be Apple’s sole suppliers of OLED panels next year. The news outlet reports that next year’s iPhone will be available in three sizes: 5.4 inches, 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches. This matches what we have heard elsewhere from well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, according to Phone Arena.
While some would expect the smallest model to be the one with the fewest features, similar to the iPhone 11, Kuo actually expects it to be a Pro model. In fact, the analyst predicts that all three models could be iPhone 12 Pros, with the largest one possibly being called the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The 6.1-inch model could end up being the less expensive model with the fewest features.
New display technology expected
What makes ETNews’ report especially interesting is that Samsung Display is expected to provide the displays for the 5.4-inch and 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro. LG Display will likely split production with Samsung for the 6.1-inch panels for what is believed to be the entry-level predecessor to the iPhone 11.
Samsung’s iPhone 12 Pro displays will reportedly be an on-cell touch flexible OLED panels. This means the display will supposedly have the touch function built right into it. Traditionally, the touch function has required an additional layer of film. Since Samsung’s display technology integrates the touch function into a single panel without the extra film layer, the display can be thinner, and the production cost should be less.
For the 6.1-inch displays, LG and Samsung are said to be using a traditional OLED panel with the extra touch layer, which suggests that the 6.1-inch model could be the entry-level iPhone next year. LG’s display technology reportedly comes up a bit short of Samsung’s, which is why LG’s displays probably won’t be used for the iPhone 12 Pro models.
