The iPhone 11 Might Use the Same Stunning Display as the Samsung Galaxy Note 10

Just weeks ahead of Apple’s September iPhone event, a new report suggests that the so-called iPhone 11 lineup could use the same OLED screen materials as recent Samsung flagships.

That’s according to a South Korean supply chain report. But it may not mean exactly what you think. Here’s what you should know.

The Report

• Apple’s two 2019 OLED iPhones will use the same OLED panel materials as the recent Samsung Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10, according to sources cited by Korea-based outlet TheElec.
• Those sources say that the upcoming OLED iPhones will use an OLED display material known as “M9” within Samsung Display.
• Previously, Samsung Display was using a different material set called “LT2,” which was custom-made for Apple’s products and ended up in the iPhone X, XS and XS Max.

The move is an interesting one because Apple has historically used a custom material in its past OLED iPhones. That may suggest that the standard OLED materials Samsung has used in its recent flagships are up to Apple’s stringent standards.

There’s also a good chance that the switch could be a result of recent trade tensions that’s putting pressure on the OLED production industry in the region.

What This Means for Apple and Samsung

Using the same display materials for Apple could simplify the supply and production process for Samsung Display, reducing logistical constraints and costs. This may be one of the possible moves that Apple discussed with Samsung Display earlier this year.

It’s also worth noting that Samsung recently fined Apple for not being able to meet OLED screen order targets. That could also be a contributing factor in this decision.

Of course, this is all speculation unless Apple or Samsung reveal the actual reason behind the switch down the road.

What This Means for You

Before you get too excited, this doesn’t mean that the iPhone 11 lineup will actually have the exact same display resolution or size as Samsung’s recent handsets.

Still, there’s a good chance that the use of shared materials will result in similar performance across the two flagship lineups. Go check out the screen performance on a Galaxy S10 or Note 10 and you may just get a glimpse as how the displays on the iPhone 11 will behave.

While it’s too early to place any bets, the use of Samsung’s own material could also have an impact on the cost of production for the upcoming iPhones. They may not be cheaper, but a price cut is within the realm of possibility.

The 2019 iPhones

Apple is largely expected to debut a trio of new iPhones at a media event on Tuesday, Sept. 10. Those devices will be direct successors to last year’s iPhones and could feature upgraded cameras, two-way wireless charging and larger batteries, among other features.