Apple Shelves Ambitious Display Upgrades for Anniversary iPhone
Apple has delayed the introduction of two display technologies for its upcoming 20th anniversary iPhone due to cost pressures. The company will still use a four-sided bending display, but Color Filter on Encapsulation (COE) and Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Silicon Oxide Plus (LTPO+) have been pushed back.
The delay is attributed to the underlying materials and process technology for COE and LTPO+ not maturing as quickly as Apple wanted. Rising memory prices are also inflating iPhone production costs, making it difficult for Apple to adopt new display technologies.
Samsung Display and LG Display had already committed significant capital to produce these displays, including a combined 1.26 trillion won investment in the Paju panel line and Vietnam module line. The delay means that panel makers will miss out on higher-margin sales, which is unwelcome given their existing investments.