The forthcoming iPhone 16, anticipated for release next year, may incorporate an enhanced display with increased power efficiency. This development stems from the purported creation of a novel OLED material set by Samsung, specifically tailored for Apple.

A material set encompasses various elements essential for OLED screens, such as capping layers (CPL) responsible for adjusting the optical attributes of the screen. Each constituent is manufactured by specialized producers and then delivered to Samsung for the assembly of the final OLED panel.

The combination of materials within the set can influence characteristics of the OLED panel, including its lifespan, brightness, color accuracy, and manufacturing efficiency.

Reports from April indicated that Samsung utilized the “M12” material set for the current iPhone 15 models and concurrently worked on a new set, named “M14,” dedicated to Apple’s 2024 iPhones. While the exact purpose behind this development was initially unclear, a recent report suggests a potential focus on enhancing the energy efficiency of the OLED panel.

According to insights from Korean Ubi Research analyst Daejeong Yoon, Samsung’s OLED development roadmap is emphasizing the replacement of blue fluorescent materials with blue phosphorescence, aiming to reduce overall power consumption in OLED panels. Initially intended for various foldable phones in 2024, this power-efficient material might instead be reserved for Apple’s M14 material set due to the challenges in its development.

Yoon stated, “Following the iPhone 16 next year, M14 will be applied to the iPhone 17 in 2025, and the application period for the Apple iPhone OLED material set will increase to two years.”

Anticipated changes in the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max include larger display sizes, with the former having a 6.27-inch display (rounded to 6.3 inches) and the latter featuring a 6.85-inch display (rounded to 6.9 inches).

Earlier reports in September hinted at the potential use of micro-lens technology in iPhone 16 OLED panels to maintain or increase brightness while potentially reducing power consumption. Meanwhile, a May report suggested Apple’s plans to mass-produce more advanced microLED displays, aiming to decrease reliance on Samsung and exert greater control over the supply chain, aligning with the goal of introducing next-generation technology to iPhones.