Potential use of microlenses in Apple's OLED displays for the next iPhone 16 models: enhancing brightness and energy efficiency

Article Summary

• Apple is contemplating the use of microlens technology in their OLED displays for the forthcoming iPhone 16 models to conserve brightness while reducing energy consumption.
• The microlens arrays (MLA) have pros and cons, which Apple is still assessing.
• Apple's decision is expected to depend on whether OLED material efficiency can be enhanced by the mass production of the iPhone 16 in the second half of 2024.

There is a chance that the OLED displays for the next iPhone 16 models will boast microlens technology. This technology, currently proposed by Samsung and LG, could help boost brightness and lower energy consumption than traditional OLED panels at the same luminosity, by changing the path of the light reflected backward from the inside of the panel to the screen.

But the MLA also has its downsides. Although it increases the front brightness, it also lessens the side brightness, which can limit the display's field of view from the user's perspective. Moreover, the cost of producing the OLED panels would rise with the application of MLA.

Another complicating factor is that the material sets developed by the two suppliers are distinct and neither meets Apple's standards yet. Reportedly, Apple has not given a definitive answer to the MLA application proposal from the Korean firms.

For this reason, Apple's decision is expected to hinge on whether OLED material efficiency can be improved by the time the iPhone 16 hits mass production in the second half of 2024.

Samsung, according to reports, has more experience applying MLA to OLED panels and has already implemented the technology in some of its own Galaxy S Ultra models. LG, on the other hand, has applied MLA to some of its larger OLED Smart TVs but lacks experience applying it to small and medium-sized panels.

In a Nutshell

The potential use of microlenses in Apple's OLED displays is an intriguing proposal to enhance efficiency and reduce power consumption. Nevertheless, there are several hurdles to overcome, including balancing increased front brightness with decreased side brightness, as well as the need to boost the efficiency of the OLED material. It remains to be seen what decision Apple will make, and how it will impact the future production of the iPhone 16.

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