Apple plans to launch the iPhone 17 series in 2025, featuring low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) OLED panels across all models. LTPO is a low-power panel technology currently supplied to Apple by Samsung Display (SDC) and LG Display (LGD).
According to industry sources, all panels for the iPhone 17 series will be supplied by SDC, while LGD will provide panels for the Slim and Pro models. Given that Chinese panel manufacturers lack experience in supplying LTPO panels, industry insiders in South Korea predict that all panel orders for the iPhone 17 series will likely be divided between these two South Korean companies.
ET News cited industry sources indicating that Apple will equip all four models of the iPhone 17 series with LTPO panels. In contrast, only the high-end models of the 2024 iPhone 16 series featured LTPO panels, suggesting that Apple aims to extend LTPO panel usage to include standard ones as well.
Furthermore, Apple will reportedly make minor adjustments to the iPhone 17 product line in 2025. The iPhone 16 series primarily consists of two standard models (iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus) and two high-end models (iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max). However, the iPhone 17 series may introduce a "Slim" model focused on being lightweight, replacing the previous Plus model.
Consequently, Apple is expected to release four models in 2025: the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Slim (or Air), iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, all equipped with LTPO panels.
Over the past three years, Apple has only used LTPO OLED panels in its Pro and Pro Max models, while the two standard models utilize lower-performing low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) OLED panels. This expansion to LTPO panels in standard models indicates Apple's intention to upgrade smartphone performance.
If rumors hold true and all models in the iPhone 17 series adopt LTPO OLED panels, SDC and LGD are expected to benefit significantly as the only suppliers currently capable of providing LTPO OLED panels. Due to the complexity of LTPO technology, this presents a significant barrier for Chinese manufacturers who entered the OLED market later.
Although Apple also procures OLED panels from Chinese manufacturers, this is limited to LTPS OLED. An industry insider in South Korea stated that the likelihood of Chinese manufacturers supplying LTPO panels in 2025 is nearly zero.
Meanwhile, the iPhone SE 4, set to launch in 1H25, may use panels produced by Chinese manufacturers. However, recent reports indicate that the supply of panels for the iPhone SE 4 was originally to be shared between Boe and LGD. Now, SDC is also expected to join the supply chain.
