New Samsung display tech could let Apple launch a revolutionary new iPhone by 2030

Some of the most important changes to smartphones have been related to advances in display technology, and that may repeat in the coming years. Following the larger displays with variable refresh rates and the wide foldable smartphone trend, Apple and Samsung may be working on a holographic display.

The first “spatial” iPhone may launch by 2030

Samsung is reportedly working on a new technology that would allow phones to have holographic displays. Dubbed MH1 or H1, the display integrates a “nano-structured holographic layer,” enabling 3D-like depth effects without the need for glasses.

The new technology, reported by leaker Schrödinger on Twitter, also relies on eye-tracking and diffractive beam-steering. That last technique uses microscopic structures inside the display layer that bend and redirect light toward the user’s eyes at specific angles.

This rumor pairs with a reported “Spatial iPhone,” which is allegedly in development by Apple. The new technology is at the first R&D phase of development, but it could end up in smartphones by 2030, according to a follow-up post by the leaker.

Next-generation depth effects

With the new technology, the new display will be capable of showing images that give the perception of depth without using additional glasses. Those effects will make it feel like the image floats above the glass surface of the device.

Samsung has reportedly developed a patented algorithm that would allow users to tilt their phones and view around objects in a given video. That ability is described as “360-degree rotation.”

Despite the new abilities, the display will be capable of maintaining full 4K fidelity for standard 2D content. The new holographic depth effect will only activate for specific content.

If those claims are true, Samsung will be able to keep the clarity of the image unchanged, which would be the most impressive achievement of the technology. Current technologies that provide similar effects, like lenticular lens-based 3D screens, generally come with an image quality tradeoff.

Apple’s spatial ambitions could finally get rewarded

Through the years, Apple has shown interest in various types of 3D display and spatial technologies through patent applications. The company has also been adding spatial audio, photos, and video features to the iPhone over the last few years.



While Apple’s previous efforts were mostly connected to the Apple Vision Pro and the company’s general interest in AR and VR tech, they could give it a head start with a new display technology. If a phone like the potential iPhone 22 Pro launches in 2030 with a holographic display, users will have years of content that would pop out of their phones.

Of course, that’s an unconfirmed rumor about a technology at a very early stage of development. Even with the impressive track record of the source, many things could change before we see whether this project bears any useful fruit.

Is this the next smartphone revolution?

Apple’s future CEO John Ternus recently said in an interview that mixing the digital and physical world is an “inevitability” and the company is working on products he described as “pretty cool.” An actual “holographic” iPhone could fit both those descriptions and make everyone feel like it’s a revolutionary product.

I won’t get too excited about such a smartphone because of one very personal reason. I have a specific health condition that limits the vision of one of my eyes and renders practically every 3D technology useless for me. While many people describe things popping out of the screen when they watch 3D movies, the most I get are some blurry effects and glasses marks on my nose.

On top of the more obvious technological issues, Apple and Samsung should also figure out how to make such technology work even for people with vision limitations. If they manage to do it, that could be their chance to open a new chapter in consumer technology, once again because of displays and not stuff like AI.

Get Visible as low as $20/mo for 1 year. Limited time offer with code: FRESHSTART

$20 /mo

$25

$5 off (20%)

Offer Ends 6.1.2026 at 11.59pm ET. New members get $5/mo off the $25/mg Visible plan, $35/mo Visible+ plan, or $45/mo Visible+ Pro plan for the first 12 months. Promo code FRESHSTART required at checkout.

Buy at Visible