Apple’s iPhone 16 Explores Micro-Lens Technology for Enhanced OLED Displays

Apple is considering the adoption of micro-lens technology to maintain or even enhance the brightness of OLED displays in its upcoming iPhone 16 models while potentially reducing power consumption, as per reports from The Elec.

The Micro-Lens Technology for iPhone 16

According to the Korean publication, Apple’s display suppliers, Samsung and LG, have proposed incorporating micro-lens arrays (MLA) into the OLED panels. However, Apple is evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of this technology.

MLA functions by using a uniform pattern of numerous tiny lenses within the panel to mitigate internal reflections. These lenses redirect the path of light that reflects back from inside the panel towards the screen. This can either boost perceived brightness while keeping power consumption unchanged or maintain brightness levels while consuming less power compared to traditional OLED panels with the same luminance.

Nevertheless, MLA has its challenges. While it can enhance frontal luminance by straightening the path of light, it may, in certain scenarios, decrease side luminance, which could limit the display’s viewing angle from the user’s perspective. Additionally, incorporating MLA into OLED panels would increase manufacturing costs.

Another complexity is that both suppliers are working with different material sets, both of which reportedly fall short of Apple’s standards. According to the report, Apple has not yet provided a final response to the MLA proposal from these Korean companies.

Apple’s decision seems contingent on whether the efficiency of the OLED material set can be improved between now and when mass production of the iPhone 16 commences in the second half of 2024. If it becomes possible to maintain at least the same level of light sent to the front of the panel while reducing power consumption and avoiding a narrowing of the viewing angle, then implementing MLA may be deemed worthwhile. However, this depends on the performance of the OLED material set, which differs between the two domestic panel companies.

Samsung has more experience with applying MLA to OLED panels, having used it in some of its own Galaxy S Ultra models and supplied MLA-applied OLED panels to Chinese mobile vendors like Vivo. On the other hand, LG has applied MLA to larger OLED smart TVs but lacks significant experience with small and medium-sized panels, where the direction of light is adjusted differently.

In a broader perspective, an earlier report in May suggested that Apple plans to scale up production of more advanced microLED displays. This move aims to reduce reliance on Samsung and enhance its control over the supply chain, ultimately paving the way for the introduction of microLED technology in iPhones.