In spite of past feuds and squabbles, Apple and Samsung realize there’s money to be made. As such, Apple is reportedly considering the possibility of adding flexible OLED displays to its MacBook Pro and iPad lines, complete with Samsung as the supplier for these components. Samsung, in turn, would use a slightly modified production technique for its display technology.
Rumors and speculation have pointed to Apple possibly using OLED panels in its newest products,following its success in the iPhone X and later iPhone models. The technology boasts higher contrast and a more vivid display compared to the existing LCD display systems that currently power Apple’s Mac lineup.
Apple has also been tipped to introduce a 16-inch MacBook Pro with an OLED display, while its 11-inch iPad Pro could switch from LCD to OLED.
Samsung has been tipped as a supplier of the OLED panels, but it is apparently negotiating supply of the components using a Thin Film Encapsulation (TFE) method of production, one that offers a number of benefits.
TFE, specifically, uses a thin film layer instead of a glass substrate to hold the OLED panel, resulting in a thinner panel overall. As such, there’s no need to add a backlight module, as has been required for LCD units, as OLED is self-illuminating, thereby saving even more space.
By creating a thinner panel, this could lead to even thinner versions of the MacBook Pro and iPad Pro, or a similar size but with more space for other components, such as increased battery capacity.
Samsung is keen to become a display supplier to Apple for its folding technology, and has reportedly sent samples for potential use in the 2020 iPhone. The samples were sent in March, long before the withdrawal and delays in the release of the Galaxy Fold, a smartphone that showcases the technology’s flexibility.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via AppleInsider and TheElec