In order to improve the display’s visibility, polarizers are normally included in OLED panels. However, The Elec claims that Apple is working on OLED panels without them because they are more energy efficient.
Polarizer films have a downside in that they tend to diminish the brightness of the panel and hence the panel’s luminance efficiency. Manufacturers typically raise the amount of electricity sent to the panel in order to compensate for this, but this can shorten their lifespan.
According to a report citing supply chain sources, Apple will be able to considerably reduce the thickness of the panels, making them more suitable for foldable screens. As an alternative to polarizers, Apple might use a different technology that has an effect similar to polarization but does not have the aforementioned drawbacks.
For the Galaxy Z Fold 3, The Elec reports that Samsung used OLED screens without polarizers, including their “Eco Square” technology, which boosts light transmittance while reducing battery usage.
It was reported last month that LG and Apple announced that they were working together on the development of an ultra-thin cover glass for a foldable OLED display for future iPad and MacBook models. However, the website said that in that case, the panel used would incorporate an ultra-thin cover glass instead of polyimide, which is currently used in most other foldable displays.
According to display researcher Ross Young’s most recent report, Apple is looking at all-screen foldable notebooks with displays around the size of 20 inches or larger. With the ability to fold into a notebook and have a full-size on-screen keyboard when closed, Young sees these gadgets creating an entirely new product category for Apple, as well as a dual-purpose monitor that can be used with an external keyboard when opened.
It’s also possible that Apple is working on a 9-inch foldable OLED panel with a PPI midway between the iPhone and the iPad, according to Ming-Chi Kuo. Apple’s foldable product development, according to Kuo, will initially concentrate on medium-sized devices, followed by devices with larger displays, before finally moving to small devices such as the iPhone.