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iPhone 18 Pro display is so advanced that Apple may break a tradition

The iPhone 18 Pro may be the first smartphone to use a new display tech.

By Anam Hamid

Published: May 08, 2026, 9:11 AM

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iPhone 18 Pro renders | Image by MacRumors

Samsung usually leads the charge on display technologies, but Apple might beat it to the punch this year, though not without help from the South Korean giant. The iPhone 18 Pro will feature a novel display tech, per a new report from the South Korean publication The Elec.

LTPO+ iPhone 18 Pro

2021's iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max were Apple's first handsets to feature the Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide (LTPO) backplane technology. It allowed for a variable refresh rate, boosting power efficiency.

For the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple is expected to level up to the LTPO+ tech, a higher-spec version.

Traditional AMOLED displays use Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Silicon (LTPS) for all of the thin-film transistors (TFTs) that make up the screen's backplane.

Standard LTPO displays use Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide (IGZO) in the switching TFTs.

LTPO+ goes a step further by using oxide for the driving TFTs as well. This provides granular control over the current sent to the OLED to emit light. This keeps the panel running optimally depending the environment, enabling energy conservation.

Samsung and LG save the day

Samsung and LG Display have been tasked with providing these high-end OLED panels for the iPhone 18 Pro. China's BOE reportedly missed the cut due to quality and yield issues.

Samsung's production volume also jumped by 10 to 15% over last year, which is another reason why BOE was sidelined.

What is going to make the iPhone 18 Pro stand out?

Another reason to look forward to the iPhone 18 Pro

The iPhone 18 Pro could be the first Apple smartphone in four years to have a smaller notch. According to an earlier report, another thing complicating the iPhone 18's OLED production is the under-display infrared tech, which will help Apple shrink the notch. Once again, BOE isn't quite up to that technical challenge.

The bargaining chip

Apple traditionally likes to diversify its supply chain so that it can pit suppliers against each other and negotiate lower prices. That's why it's unlikely to cut BOE completely out of the equation. The Chinese company may supply panels for the standard iPhone 18 models.

Logistics aside, the LTPO+ tech will give an edge, however temporary, to the iPhone 18 Pro. Exactly how much this will extend battery life is an open question.

Since BOE has price competitiveness, it is difficult for Apple to easily exclude it, and even if it cannot secure large volumes, remaining as a partner could serve as a bargaining chip for Apple in price negotiations.

Industry insider, May 2026

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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.

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