LG Display Developing Five-Layer OLED Panel to Combat Burn-In for Future iMac

LG Display is reportedly developing a five-layer OLED panel for Apple's future OLED iMac. The design adds a third blue emitting layer to improve panel lifespan and reduce the risk of screen burn-in, according to a report from The Elec.

The company has not confirmed the development, with a spokesperson declining to comment on customer-related details. The information is based on industry sources.



Today's high-resolution OLED monitors from the Korean display maker rely on a four-stack setup consisting of blue, green, blue, and red emitting layers. The proposed five-stack version adds a third blue layer, creating a blue-green-blue-red-blue arrangement. Spreading the electrical load across more emitters is especially important for an iMac, which often displays static interface elements such as menu bars and application toolbars for extended periods.


Last year, Apple reportedly sent requests for information to Samsung Display and LG Display outlining its requirements for a future OLED iMac, including a 24-inch panel capable of 600 nits at 218 pixels per inch. The current 24-inch iMac's LCD reaches 500 nits. LG Display has also demonstrated a 27-inch 5K OLED panel at 220 PPI using an RGB stripe subpixel layout. While that panel is not expected to ship in an iMac, it is viewed as a vehicle for validating high-density RGB stripe OLED technology and volume production.

Maintaining high brightness becomes more difficult as pixel density increases because the light-emitting area within each pixel shrinks. Adding a third blue layer distributes the electrical load across more emitters, improving luminance, panel lifespan, and resistance to image retention. The tradeoff is higher material costs and a more complex deposition process, meaning LG Display must also meet Apple's brightness, lifespan, and manufacturing yield targets.

At the same time, Samsung Display is reportedly developing a QD-OLED panel for Apple's future OLED iMac. Both suppliers are targeting 2028 to complete OLED panel development, with the finished desktop not expected to launch before 2029.