What They Say
We reported a few days ago that The Elec had said that Apple and Samsung had ‘parted their ways’ on a project to introduce OLEDs for iPads. Now the blog has reported that LG Display is developing a 12.9″ OLED for an iPad that does include a tandem structure – previously reported as a desired architecture by Apple. The backplane would be LTPO. However, the panel is not likely to be in production until 2023 or 2024.
The 10.86″ version that was being developed for an iPad Air model, the Elec reported, and the LG panel might also go into an Air product as this would allow higher pricing and limit likely volumes.
What We Think
Apple and LG Display have a long relatiionship. LGD is bound to want Apple as a customer, and Apple to want to continue with LGD as a supplier, especially as LG Electronics is no longer in smartphones, so is less of a competitor than Samsung. LGD already has tandem structure OLEDs for automotive applications, so really, this article is not, exactly a surprise. The product would be two to three years away and a lot could happen between here and there.
Samsung has LTPO capacity at 6G but is working on moving to G8.5 for IT use OLEDs and that is going to need a lot of work if LTPO is to be supported.
I have had a Samsung OLED-based tablet for a good number of years and haven’t seen any issues with degradation of the OLED, but I don’t use it much. I bought one with less memory than I should and although the hardware is fine, I seem to spend too much time managing the storage to make it attractive to pick up. It seems to me that tablets are one of the best potential markets for OLEDs in the longer term, as volume and weight are important, but media consumption is a major use case.
Just looking around for desirable OLED tablets, I just spotted the Lenovo Tab P12 Pro, which I missed when it was announced in early September and has a 12.6″ 1600 x 2560 AMOLED with Dolby Vision and 600cd/m² of output. I had been thinking about getting an iPad, just to use for music creation, as there are so many accessories and apps. However, that Lenovo spec looks good and very good value at around €500/$600. Hmmmm…. (BR)
The Lenovo Tab P12 Pro Looks Good Value for an OLED tablet
