Input 2021.02.02 10:50 | Revision 2021.02.02 12:43
Changed from LTPS to LTPO, a process suitable for high refresh rate
LG Display, which supplies OLED, prepares to introduce LTPO
Samsung Display already commercialized LTPO… Monopoly status
BOE of China, contracted to supply replacement products to pursue Korean display
In particular, LG Display, which started supplying P-OLED (plastic OLED) to Apple with the iPhone 12 series as the starting point, has invested in increasing its market share in the iPhone. Samsung Display has a policy of continuing the super gap with latecomers based on the technology that has already been commercialized. China’s BOE, which has won the iPhone 12’s refurbished display contract, is also aiming to supply new products by raising the technology level.
According to the industry on the 2nd, Apple is planning to adopt a low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) thin film transistor (TFT) in the high-end (tentatively named iPhone 13 Pro 13 Max) display of the next-generation iPhone.
This is not irrelevant to the increase in the refresh rate of the next-generation iPhone display from the current 60Hz to 120Hz. The refresh rate is the number of frames displayed on the display per second, and a high refresh rate can smoothly express a dynamic screen. It is possible to enjoy a blockbuster movie or game with a fast screen change more clearly and naturally.
However, the scanning rate cannot be increased as intended. In particular, it may not be suitable for a 5G mobile communication (5G) smartphone that requires a lot of power even if it consumes a lot of diesel power with a high refresh rate. Currently, Apple is using low temperature polysilicon (LTPS) TFT for iPhone 12, and LTPS TFT is advantageous in producing high-definition, but its manufacturing cost is high.
For this reason, Apple decided to adopt LTPO TFT, which has a low manufacturing cost while improving image quality. In addition, LTPO TFT is considered to be suitable for 5G smartphones because its power consumption is lower than that of LTPS. LTPO TFT is a technology that Apple has original patent, and it is a change from LTPS to silicon to oxide. Apple applied for a patent related to LTPO TFT to the U.S. Patent Office in 2014, and applied it to the Apple Watch for the first time in 2018.
In addition, LG Display is reviewing a plan to change part of the E5 production line in Gumi, Gyeongbuk to iPhone only. Currently, the line is producing automobile and wearable P-OLED panels, but it is planning to respond to demand by making a line with a lower utilization rate as a dedicated line for iPhone display, which is expected to increase in supply. Currently, LG Display is known to be waiting for final approval by passing this plan to Apple.
Kim So-won, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, said, “The quantity of P-OLEDs supplied to North American customers (Apple) has increased to three digits, which is higher than expected, compared to the quarter.” The transformation of the person stands out.”
However, the industry judges that LG Display’s LTPO technology is less complete than Samsung Electronics. Therefore, LG Display’s LTPO TFT OLED supply is expected to begin with the iPhone 14 (tentative name).
In addition, Samsung Display recently developed the organic element M11 of a new OLED to consume power. It is a new device to reduce power consumption and is known to consume 16% less power than the previous one. Currently, it is applied only to Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy S21 Ultra, but it is also possible to apply this device to the iPhone 13.
Lee Chang-min, a researcher at KB Securities, said, “In 2021, LG Display’s supply volume is expected to increase and BOE’s supply is expected, but Samsung Display’s oligopoly position will be maintained due to the expansion of touch-integrated panels and the introduction of LTPO displays. As Apple is expected to actively adopt LTPO displays starting with next year’s model, Samsung Display is expected to benefit from the only successful LTPO display mass production for smartphones.”
Among them, BOE of China is working to close the gap between Samsung Display and LG Display. BOE was selected as the iPhone display supplier in 2019, but it did not reach a final supply contract because it did not produce satisfactory results in terms of yield. Then, at the end of last year, BOE signed a contract with Apple to supply the iPhone 12 series refurbished (replaceable) display.
Meanwhile, worldwide shipments of iPhones equipped with OLED are expected to increase by about 80% from this year. In particular, after the release of the iPhone 12 series, all products have been converted to OLED, and this year’s OLED iPhone shipments such as iPhone 12 and 13 are expected to reach 180 million units.