A recent report suggests Apple is planning a significant display upgrade for its budget-friendly iPhone 'e' series by 2028.
This news comes right after the launch of the iPhone 17e, which uses an older LTPS display technology. Reviews quickly pointed out its 60 Hz refresh rate, which feels less smooth compared to the 120 Hz LTPO screens on premium models. This created a very visible gap in user experience, giving Apple a clear reason to consider bringing its more advanced display technology to the entire lineup.
But there's more to this story than just features. It's also about managing the supply chain. First, Apple has been facing quality and yield issues with BOE, a key supplier of the LTPS panels used in budget models. These problems forced Apple to shift orders to Korean suppliers like Samsung Display, who are leaders in the more complex LTPO technology. This situation naturally makes Apple lean towards standardizing on LTPO, as it relies on more stable and technologically advanced partners.
Second, this potential move fits perfectly into Apple's broader technology roadmap. The company already made LTPO standard on its mainline iPhone 17 models in 2025. Now, it's developing even more advanced technologies, like 'LTPO+' and COE, for its future high-end phones. This strategy allows the current high-end LTPO technology to 'trickle down' to the budget iPhone 19e in 2028. By then, the premium models will have moved on to something even better, allowing Apple to maintain clear product tiers while still raising the quality floor for all its customers.
In short, this isn't just a simple component upgrade. It's a strategic decision influenced by recent product feedback, supply chain risks, and a well-defined long-term technology plan. Apple seems to be setting the stage to make smoother, more power-efficient displays a standard feature across all iPhones, a move that would also solidify the dominance of its Korean display partners.
- Glossary
- LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide): An advanced display backplane technology that allows for a variable refresh rate (e.g., 1-120 Hz). This results in smoother scrolling and animations while saving significant battery life.
- LTPS (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Silicon): An older display technology that typically supports a fixed refresh rate (e.g., 60 Hz). It is less power-efficient than LTPO.
- COE (Color filter on Encapsulation): A display manufacturing technique that removes the polarizer layer, making the screen thinner, brighter, and more power-efficient.