Apple Could Bring Tandem OLED to iPhone by 2028

Apple may soon borrow another display breakthrough from the iPad Pro and bring it to the iPhone. According to a new report from Dealsite, LG Display is pushing Apple to adopt tandem OLED technology in a future iPhone, with a target launch as early as 2028.

What Is Tandem OLED?

Unlike traditional OLED screens, tandem OLED stacks multiple light-emitting layers on top of each other. This design has a few big benefits:

• Brighter displays without drawing more power.

• Longer lifespan, since the stacked layers share the load.

• Better efficiency, which means more battery life for users.

The latest iPad Pro (11-inch and 13-inch) is already using tandem OLED, and LG Display supplied most of those panels.

LG’s Push to Win iPhone Orders

LG Display is leading the charge here:

• First to commercialize tandem OLED back in 2019 (for cars).

• Held about 65% share of shipments for the iPad Pro displays.

• Holds 348 U.S. patents in the field, giving it an edge over rivals like Samsung and BOE.

While Samsung Display has also ramped up tandem OLED for cars and tablets, LG wants to lock in the iPhone business early.

Why It Matters for the iPhone

Apple has been on a mission to squeeze more efficiency and battery life out of its devices—especially as designs like the rumored iPhone 17 Air get thinner, leaving less room for bigger batteries.

A tandem OLED iPhone could:

• Last longer on a single charge.

• Run brighter without burning through the battery.

• Be more durable, making it perfect for Apple’s premium flagship lineup.

The Timeline: After the 20th Anniversary iPhone

Don’t expect tandem OLED right away. Reports suggest 2028 is the earliest we’ll see it on an iPhone. That means:

• 2027: Apple’s 20th-anniversary iPhone, expected to feature a bezel-free design and new silicon anode battery tech.

• 2028: Tandem OLED finally arrives to take efficiency to the next level.

The Competitive Race

• LG Display: Leading in patents and iPad Pro supply.

• Samsung Display: Pushing its own tandem OLED panels.

• BOE: Already shipped tandem OLED in Honor’s Magic6 Porsche phone (2023).

Apple, as always, is weighing suppliers carefully before committing.

Final Thoughts

If the reports are true, tandem OLED could be one of Apple’s biggest iPhone display upgrades in years—not flashy like a folding screen, but a practical change users will notice every day in brightness and battery life.

The wait might be long, but if history is any guide, Apple will make sure the technology is polished before it hits the iPhone.