Samsung Display has been making OLED panels for all iPhones since the iPhone X was released. All high-end iPhone models use Samsung's OLED panels, which will continue to happen next year. In fact, it is being reported that Samsung Display will make a new type of OLED screen for the iPhone 16 series.
According to a report from The Elec, Apple is weighing on using OLED panels with MLA (Micro Lens Array) technology for the iPhone 16 lineup. OLED panels with MLA offer higher brightness and improved power efficiency, and such a screen has already been used in LG's latest flagship OLED TVs. Both LG Display and Samsung Display have offered to make OLED panels with MLA, but Apple hasn't made the final decision yet.
MLA panels use a layer of billions of lenses on top of the screen to reduce internal reflections and focus the direction of the light output toward the screen. This efficiently uses the existing light output and improves perceived brightness without increasing power consumption. It then leads to improved power efficiency. However, this technology can also sometimes reduce light luminance towards the sides (when looking at the screen from the sides), resulting in narrowed viewing angles.
OLED panels with MLA are also costlier, so Apple needs to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of such panels before making the final decision. Samsung has already used an MLA layer to improve the brightness of the OLED panels and supplied such panels to some Chinese smartphone brands. Apple is trying to develop and manufacture its own Micro LED screens for future iPhones to reduce its reliance on Samsung Display and LG Display.
