Apple Eyes Tandem OLED for Future iPhones to Boost Battery Life [Report]

Apple may be looking to bring the tandem OLED display tech from its latest iPad Pro to a future iPhone, a move that could seriously cut down on power consumption, according to a new report from The Elec. A more advanced version of the technology, which stacks multiple light-emitting layers for better efficiency, recently debuted on the latest iPad Pro.

The idea reportedly came from LG Display, which pitched a "simplified tandem" structure to Apple late last year. That prompted Apple to check in with Samsung Display about its own capabilities. It's a move that fits with Apple's broader goal of improving battery life and power efficiency in its premium devices.

Unlike the "two-tandem" displays in the latest iPad Pro, which stack all red, green, and blue sub-pixels, this simplified version would only stack the blue sub-pixels. Even that partial step would boost efficiency, leading to lower power draw and better battery life. That's a key consideration for future devices, especially with models like the iPhone 17 Air getting so thin that battery life is a real concern. Current iPhones use a standard "single stack" design.


LG Display is said to be pushing the technology, confident it has a lead from its work on automotive displays and the OLED iPad. Apple, however, typically avoids relying on a single supplier for key components. Its inquiries with Samsung suggest it's gauging the readiness of its entire supply chain before making a final decision.

Don't expect this new screen tech anytime soon. The report suggests that even if Apple moves forward, its lengthy two-year development cycle means we wouldn't see a tandem OLED iPhone until 2028 at the earliest. That would put the upgrade after the rumored 20th-anniversary iPhone in 2027, which is already expected to feature a bezel-free design and new silicon anode battery technology.

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