Apple Delays Advanced OLED Screen Technology for iPhones

Apple has reportedly postponed the introduction of advanced OLED screen technology in iPhones by several years, technology that was previously expected to debut on the company's 20th-anniversary phone.

The new technology, known as Color Filter on Encapsulation (CoE) OLED, is distinguished by its elimination of the polarizing layer found in traditional OLED displays. While that layer typically helps reduce blur and unwanted reflections on screen, removing it can unlock a range of benefits related to display quality, power efficiency, and device thinness.

According to a recent report from UBI Research, Apple will not adopt this technology until late 2029, when it is expected to introduce it on the iPhone Pro line.

The delay stands in contrast to Samsung, which has already implemented a version of CoE technology in its Galaxy Z Fold3, launched back in 2021.

While UBI Research did not offer an explanation for Apple's roughly eight-year lag in adopting the technology, a separate report from ET News suggested some possible reasons behind the delay. According to that report, Apple has, until recently, viewed CoE technology as not yet mature enough for widespread deployment across its iPhone lineup.

Apple is expected to transition to CoE OLED displays once the technology reaches a level of practicality suitable for mass production, given the range of advantages it offers — from improved display quality to potential cost savings.