Apple are looking to crank up the OLED display on their next generation products a move that could cost Sony, Samsung or LG millions if the exercise goes wrong.
The US smartphone maker wants to increase the specification it wants from its OLED display screens as a result they have requested that suppliers of OLED display screens increase the pixels per inch from 2800 to 3500ppi, sources said.
The primary reason for the new demand on suppliers is the Companies first mixed reality device that will debut next year up against offering from HTC and Meta.
The problem is that mixed reality devices are new and if they go the same way as 3D, it will not be Apple that’s left picking up the bill as Apple has a track record of ditching suppliers when it suites them.
OLEDoS uses silicon instead of glass as the substrate for the panel and is touted as the technology for micro displays that can be used in mixed and virtual reality devices.
Samsung Display and LG Display’s OLEDoS panels aren’t expected to be used by Apple next year for its first mixed reality device.
Japan’s Sony will supply the first batch while Samsung and LG are expected to enter the supply chain in 2024 according to South Korea’s ELAC.
LG Display researched the development of the new OLED standard ahead of Samsung Display however both Companies have left the initial supply to Sony who appear to be willing to take a greater risk on the production of the new OLED standard.
Apple and Meta had requested Samsung Display develop the technology during the last quarter.
The display panel maker had been slow to dip its toe on OLEDoS as it believed it was a small market but the top executives at Samsung had admonished Samsung Display for judging on the technology quickly, sources said.
Samsung Display management told ChannelNews at IFA that OLEDoS have a lower entry barrier than LEDoS and wants to lead on the latter technology over its rivals LG Display and Sony.