The iPhone SE series is Apple’s budget-friendly option, traditionally sourcing screens exclusively from the Chinese manufacturer BOE. However, a report from Korean media outlet The Elec indicated that Apple is expected to use LG Display (LGD) as the second supplier for the OLED screens of next year’s iPhone SE 4, while BOE remains the primary supplier for the iPhone SE 4 screens.

The iPhone SE series typically uses parts from older models but is unique in pairing them with the latest processors, ensuring superior performance compared to competitors in the same price range. Notably, Apple releases the iPhone SE series in emerging markets like India.

Per the same report from The Elec, the iPhone SE 4 is expected to use the OLED display from the iPhone 13, making it easier for display manufacturers to produce.

Apple has historically supported BOE as an iPhone OLED screen supplier to reduce the influence of South Korean companies like Samsung Display and LGD. However, BOE is said to have faced difficulties in securing large iPhone orders due to challenges in meeting Apple’s perforated screen technology requirements, as seen with the iPhone 15.

Moreover, BOE is reportedly encountering challenges in producing OLED screens for the iPhone 16 as well, resulting in lower output compared to its Korean competitors.

Earlier in May this year, both LG Display and Samsung Display secured orders for OLED panels for Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro, according to a previous report from “The Elec.” Subsequently, LG Display also has acquired orders for iPhone 16 Pro Max panels, which could be the first time ever for LG Display to be ahead of Samsung display.

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(Photo credit: Apple)

From May 14th to 16th, the international display industry’s leading event, SID Display Week 2024, was held in San Jose, USA. Major panel manufacturers such as BOE, TCL CSOT, Tianma, Visionox, Innolux, AUO, Samsung Display, and LG Display showcased a variety of new technological products. TrendForce will review and summarize the development focuses of various panel manufacturers from a technical perspective.

• 3D Display Makes a Comeback, Focusing on Glasses-Free Immersive Experience

3D visual perception is currently the most intuitive way humans perceive the world. Compared to AR/VR, which requires additional wearable devices, glasses-free 3D technology allows users to enjoy a lifelike visual experience without the need for glasses or headsets.

With significant improvements in display quality and user experience, this technology can now be applied to museum exhibits, outdoor advertising, medical education, and more. It has the potential to compete with emerging head-mounted devices in the future.

At the exhibition, in addition to 2D/3D switching, there were light-field displays that enhanced monocular resolution to retinal levels. Coupled with facial tracking and active human-machine interaction systems, these displays expanded the viewing range and 3D viewing angles, delivering an immersive and impressive desktop 3D display experience.

BOE: 110”16K 3D Display & 32”Light Field Display

LGD: Micro OLED+ Light Field Display

• Performance – Enhancing Efficiency to Meet AI Era Demands for Improved Image Quality and Reduced Power Consumption

Addressing the power consumption issues brought about by enhanced image quality can be achieved through various technological advancements such as pixel design, tandem architecture, AI intelligence, micro-lens arrays, oxide backplanes, and dynamic refresh rates. These innovations aim to improve image quality while simultaneously reducing power consumption.

For instance, oxide backplanes have significantly lower leakage currents compared to LTPS backplanes. Combined with new circuit designs, they can maintain voltage for extended periods, keeping flicker within a certain frequency during low-frequency refreshes. Dynamic refresh rates allow the screen’s refresh rate to adapt based on the content displayed, aligning refresh rates with display signals in real-time to provide longer battery life.

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, AI technologies are being leveraged to enhance image quality while reducing screen power consumption (AI low-power image enhancement technology). The deep integration of AI with screens enables real-time image processing at high resolutions and refresh rates, reducing the power consumption of panel modules and achieving an optimal balance between reduced power consumption and improved image quality.

BOE: AIoT + OLED AI Power Reduction Technology

• Folding – Diversified Folding Designs Expanding Application Scenarios

At the exhibition, panel manufacturers showcased the durability of foldable screens through tests involving robots randomly striking the displays, demonstrating that foldable screens can now meet the demands of most usage scenarios.

In addition to the conventional inward and outward folding screens already available on the market, the exhibition also featured G/Z-shaped tri-fold phones and new foldable plus extendable display panels, allowing users to switch between different screen sizes based on application needs.

The introduction of various flexible display forms includes innovations such as the removal of polarizers, simplified hinges, and stress-designed screens, preparing for a variety of user experiences and interaction modes with the new foldable display panels. These complex module designs are expected to drive technological innovation within the supply chain.

SDC: Foldable OLED Reliability Test

SDC: Flex Note Extendable (Folding+ Sliding) Display Size: 13.8” -> 17.3”

SDC: Flex S Multi Foldable Display (Z-Shaped)

• Transparent Displays – Enhanced Transparency Technology for Better Integration with Environments

Once a futuristic display technology with a sci-fi aura, transparent displays are now being gradually applied in commercial, automotive, and everyday scenarios by various brands. Transparent displays transform glass from a mere transparent material into a display product with vast imaginative potential and rich content.

The key to enhancing screen transparency lies not only in the transparency of the substrate but also in effectively increasing the pixel aperture ratio to maintain image quality. Historically, Micro LED screens have achieved transparency rates of over 60%, while OLED screens have been around 40%. With recent technological improvements, the OLED screens showcased at this exhibition have now reached a 60% transparency level, matching that of Micro LED screens.

The future of transparent displays will be shaped by continued advancements in transparency, image quality, brightness, price, and product positioning. Higher transparency levels will enable seamless integration with environments, facilitating broader application and adoption of this innovative display technology.

Visionox: 10” Transparent OLED (Transparency: 60%)

AUO: 60” Transparent Micro-LED Display (Transparency: 60%)

• New Applications and Technological Breakthroughs

At the exhibition, notable breakthroughs in new applications and technologies included innovative automotive display designs, QDEL displays produced through printing processes, and high-brightness RGB OLEDos. Samsung Display and TCL CSOT both showcased QDEL-related technologies, employing printing methods to add quantum dots that directly convert light into colored images.

In traditional QLED technology, the light source is blue backlight that passes through quantum dots for color conversion. In contrast, the QDEL displays exhibited by Samsung Display and TCL CSOT apply current directly to the quantum dots to generate light. As a result, QDEL pixels can emit light and switch off independently, offering the same deep blacks and rich contrast as OLEDs.

Looking ahead, as the lifespan of the quantum dot light-emitting layer improves, QDEL is poised to become a competitive choice for consumer displays due to its lower cost and superior image quality.

Samsung: 18.2” QD-LED

BOE: P0.3 Micro LED Transformer Display Cluster <-> Center Information Display (CID)  Co-Driver Display (CDD)

TIMANA: 12.3”InvisiVue Display With Textured, Mini-LED

Visionox: Rollable OLED Surface Display

• Green Low-Carbon Technology Industry Development Trends

It is noteworthy that LG Display has focused on developing new technologies under the theme of a better future. BOE, in particular, has set up a green low-carbon zone at the center of their booth, highlighting green manufacturing, green product technology, and green supply chains.

They continue to lead the display industry with technological innovation and green development, promoting the healthy and sustainable growth of the global display industry.

BOE: Green for Future

Following its success in the LCD panel market, China’s BOE Technology Group has now been actively narrowing the technology gap with Korean giants in the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panel domain. Citing industry experts, Business Korea reported that BOE has reduced the technological gap with Korea regarding the high-growth mid-sized OLED sector to one to one and a half years.

The Chinese display industry is rapidly expanding its presence in the OLED market, driven by robust governmental support as well as competitive pricing, while high domestic consumption also fuels sales growth.

BOE, top Chinese display maker, has gradually become a crucial part of the global supply chain for tech giants. In late 2023, Apple finally approved BOE as an iPhone 15 AMOLED supplier. Though the delivery time was delayed due to quality issues, making it falling behind Samsung and LG, BOE is said to supply 2 million panels to Apple, about 3% of its total OLED supply in 2023.

However, BOE has introduced a series of latest OLED panels at SID2024 in mid-May to showcase its progress. According to Business Korea, it disclosed a 31.6-inch slidable OLED panel, which can extend sideways when needed, concealing the screen while not in use. It is also noteworthy that BOE showcased 15-inch and 17-inch foldable panels, targeting the automotive OLED market.

According to an earlier report from Japanese media outlet Nikkei News, BOE plans to boost its OLED panel production capacity by more than 50% compared to the current level within the next three years, demonstrating its ambition in the field.

Reportedly, BOE’s new OLED panel plant “B16” in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, began construction in late March. The goal is to complete the plant building by 2024, install manufacturing equipment by September 2025, and start mass production in 2026, producing 8.6-generation OLED panels. BOE’s competitor, Samsung Electronics, is also said to be looking for mass production of 8.6-generation OLED panels in 2026 by upgrading its existing plants.

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• [News] BOE Looking to Become OLED Panel Leader, Rumored to Have a 50% Capacity Expansion

(Photo credit: BOE)

Following its success in the LCD panel market, China’s BOE Technology Group plans to lead in the OLED panel sector as well. According to a report from Japanese media outlet Nikkei News on May 27th, BOE, China’s largest panel manufacturer, plans to boost its OLED panel production capacity by more than a half compared to the current level within the next three years.

As per the same report from Nikkei News, BOE has established a series of LCD plants with support from the Chinese government. In the OLED panel sector, BOE is also said to be eyeing on becoming the market leader by expanding production and catching up with South Korean companies like Samsung Electronics.

Reportedly, BOE’s new OLED panel plant “B16” in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, began construction in late March. The goal is to complete the plant building by 2024, install manufacturing equipment by September 2025, and start mass production in 2026, producing 8.6-generation OLED panels. BOE’s competitor, Samsung Electronics, is also said to be looking for mass production of 8.6-generation OLED panels in 2026 by upgrading its existing plants.

The same report further indicates that BOE is actively hiring talented professionals from Japan and South Korea and leveraging global suppliers. Thus, BOE’s OLED panel technology has reportedly gained recognition, successfully entering Apple’s iPhone OLED panel supply chain, serving as a catalyst for its growth.

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• Shipments of OLED Monitors Hit 200,000 Units in 1Q24, Annual Forecast to Reach 1.34 Million, Says TrendForce[News] NVIDIA’s H100 Chip Heat Declines, CoWoS Capacity Eases

(Photo credit: BOE)

In the past few years, the rapid growth of the Mini LED backlight market has been closely tied to the support from consumer electronics giant Apple. Apple pioneered the integration of Mini LED backlight technology into tablet products, sparking increased demand for Mini LED technology in the consumer market. However, it seems that Apple is now steering away from the Mini LED backlight technology path.

Recently, well-known Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo released a 2024 forecast report for the new iPad models. The upcoming iPad Pro is expected to replace the current Mini LED backlight panel with an OLED panel.

Additionally, the 12.9-inch version of the iPad Air model will feature an Oxide backplane, similar to the one used in Mini LED backlight panels, to enhance display performance.

From Apple’s strategic shift in abandoning Mini LED in favor of OLED for iPad Pro, it appears that the primary consideration is cost.

While the manufacturing process for Mini LED has matured in recent years, resulting in continuous cost reductions, the current cost of Mini LED remains higher compared to the more established and mature OLED technology.

In contrast, OLED’s cost performance is noteworthy. According to observations from TrendForce, OLED manufacturers have committed to investing in 8.5th generation OLED for laptops and tablets this year, indicating a potential further decrease in OLED costs.

Furthermore, OLED offers features such as slim design, low power consumption, quick response, high clarity, and flexibility, similar to Mini LED backlight technology.

This not only enhances the display performance of iPad Pro but also optimizes aspects like thickness, weight, and energy consumption, aligning with the characteristics of portable tablet products.

Apple’s Planned Shift from Mini LED to OLED

Looking back at the development of Mini LED in recent years, Apple’s utilization of this technology has not been extensive, and it has typically been reserved for Apple’s most high-end products, such as the 2019 Pro Display XDR. Subsequent releases, including the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro, also adopted the same technology.

While Apple successfully integrated Mini LED backlight technology into the highest-end versions of displays, tablets, and laptops, some releases and production of Apple’s Mini LED backlight products were delayed during this period. This includes rumored products like the iMac Pro featuring Mini LED backlight screens and the second generation of the 27-inch display Apple Studio Display.

While Apple has been incorporating Mini LED backlight technology into high-end products, the company is also exploring the expansion of OLED technology beyond iPhones to include more devices.

Last year, it was reported that BOE is constructing an 8.6th generation OLED display production line to fulfill orders for Apple’s future iPad and MacBook models featuring OLED screens, expected to be operational by the end of 2024.

As for the upcoming iPad Pro tablet set to be launched as early as next year, there are indications that Samsung and LG will provide dual-layer OLED panels. This promises a doubling of screen brightness, an extended lifespan, and lower power consumption compared to Mini LED backlight technology.

Mini LED Backlight Demand Continues to Grow

TrendForce analysis indicates that, influenced by the Apple brand effect, Mini LED backlight has officially entered the application markets of laptops and tablets. However, due to high costs, Apple has notably slowed down the pace of introducing Mini LED backlight to laptops and tablets.

While the change in Apple’s display technology roadmap has had a certain impact on the Mini LED backlight market, especially in tablets and laptops where Apple holds a larger share, TrendForce’s report points out that the applications of Mini LED in TVs, displays, and automotive displays are still on a growth path.

It is worth noting that the main applications in TVs and displays continue to show a growth trend, while future potential applications like automotive displays provide more possibilities for the growth of the Mini LED backlight market.

With ongoing optimization of technology and costs, the overall Mini LED backlight market is expected to maintain a growth trend.

According to data from TrendForce’s report “2024 New Mini LED BLU Display Trend Analysis“, after a brief decline in shipments in 2023, applications with Mini LED backlight technology are expected to return to growth in 2024, with an estimated shipment volume of 13.79 million units.

With the trend of Mini LED terminal products becoming more affordable, the shipment volume is expected to continue growing, reaching an estimated 31.45 million units by 2027, with a CAGR of approximately 23.9% from 2023 to 2027.

(Photo credit: Apple)