Analysts: the iPhone 13 phones will feature LTPO AMOLED panels from Samsung Display

Last year Apple had a choice – a high refresh rate screen or 5G? It chose to support the next generation networks, so the iPhone 12 family was left with 60Hz displays. This will change for at least two of the iPhone 13 models, according to analysts.

The Elec quotes UBI Research that Samsung Display’s A3 factory line, which was dedicated to supplying Apple with LTPS OLED panels, will be converted to produce LTPO panels instead.

LTPO was originally developed for the Apple Watch as it allows precise control of the frame rate (unlike LTPS) and uses less power to boot. The downside is that these new panels are harder to manufacture.

That is why the capacity of the A3 line will fall from 105,000 panels per month (as it was last year) to 70,000 per month, after the conversion is finished in the first half of this year.

This report from the analyst doesn’t cover specifics on the refresh rates for the iPhone 13 series. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, however, the Pro and Pro Max will get 120 Hz displays, the vanilla 12 and the 12 mini will likely have to stick with 60 Hz for another year. Also, the Pro models may have punch holes instead of notches.

When can we expect the iPhone 13 series? According to Wedbush analyst Dan Ives, Apple will return to its usual September launch schedule after the pandemic pushed back the unveiling last year to October.

Nothing is set in stone, however. Apple may adjust the timing as it puts the finishing touches on the new models and as the supply chain starts to ramp up production. So, there’s still the possibility that the the launch event will be pushed from the third week of September to early October.

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