Apple could make a major change to its iPhone Pro display technology in the coming years, with the models expected in 2029 being a potential milestone. According to estimates from UBI Research , the company is considering using OLED panels that will be thinner and more energy-efficient , thanks to Color Filter on Encapsulation (CoE) technology.
This particular approach changes the way an OLED panel is manufactured, as it eliminates the traditional polarizer and transfers part of its function to a color filter placed directly on top of the screen's encapsulation layer.
Switching to OLED screens – What changes with the removal of the polarizer
In conventional OLED displays, a polarizer is used to reduce reflections caused by external light. However, this solution has a drawback: it absorbs some of the light produced by the pixels themselves.
CoE technology attempts to address this loss by moving the color filter onto the encapsulation layer and eliminating the separate polarizer. This way, a greater percentage of the light produced by the OLED panel can reach the user's eyes.
In practice, this creates two different possibilities for a smartphone manufacturer. The same display could either offer higher brightness without a corresponding increase in power consumption, or maintain the same brightness levels while consuming less power.
More space for battery and accessories
The benefit isn't limited to energy efficiency. Removing a separate layer from the screen can also reduce the overall thickness of the panel.
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In a modern smartphone, even small reductions in the thickness of internal components can be significant. The space saved could theoretically be used for a larger battery, a different camera arrangement, more complex cooling systems, or other components.
For Apple, this development could be combined with the general effort for thinner devices, without sacrificing autonomy.
Samsung has already tested the technology
CoE is not an entirely new concept. Samsung was one of the first manufacturers to bring it to a commercial device, introducing it under the name Eco² OLED in the Galaxy Z Fold3.
According to measurements published by Samsung for the initial implementation, the technology could increase light transmittance by about 33% and reduce power consumption by up to 25% compared to OLED panels using a conventional polarizer.
These specific performances, however, pertain to Samsung's tests and do not mean that the same percentages will necessarily appear in a future Apple implementation.
The big bet is image quality
Adopting CoE is not without its challenges. The polarizer offers significant help in reducing reflections, and its removal forces manufacturers to use other techniques.
These can include advanced color filters, special layers for managing black pixels, low-reflectivity coatings , and different optical solutions. The goal is to maintain outdoor readability, contrast, viewing angles, and color accuracy.
UBI Research believes that these technical requirements may be one of the reasons why Apple is reportedly considering a more gradual transition.
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The foldable iPhone could be the first step
Of particular interest is the technology's relationship with the foldable iPhone. Before the iPhone Duo, reports had suggested that the device's OLED panel, supplied by Samsung, could use CoE technology.
Apple hasn't publicly confirmed the specific technical details, but according to UBI Research, a foldable model could serve as a testing ground for the technology before it expands to a larger part of the iPhone Pro lineup.
A transition that will affect tens of millions of panels
If Apple does move to polarizer-free OLED in the iPhone Pro, the scale of the change will be particularly large. UBI Research estimates that annual demand for panels destined for the two Pro models could reach around 90 million to 100 million units.
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Samsung Display and LG Display are expected to play a significant role in the initial supply, while BOE could also claim part of the orders if it manages to meet Apple's strict specifications.
2029 could bring significant change
If UBI Research's estimates are confirmed, the move to CoE could affect more than just the appearance of future iPhones. A thinner screen, better power efficiency , and more internal space could directly affect the design of the entire device.
The big question for Apple will be whether it can achieve these benefits without compromising image quality and visibility under bright outdoor lighting. If it can, CoE technology could be one of the most significant advancements in OLED displays for iPhones in the next decade.
