A fresh report out of ETNews, citing supply chain insiders, suggests Apple is gearing up to introduce a more advanced display technology with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. The company is reportedly planning to use new LTPO+ OLED panels on its high-end models.
LTPO+ OLED panels
These upgraded LTPO+ displays are said to be more power-efficient than current LTPO solutions, potentially extending battery life or allowing Apple to push higher brightness and refresh rates with less impact on endurance. More importantly, the new panels could enable Apple to hide more of the front-facing sensors beneath the screen.
According to the report, the IR scanner used for Face ID will be placed under the display, marking a significant design shift from the current Dynamic Island cutout. Some sources familiar with the matter also believe Apple may move the selfie camera below the screen, aiming to retain image quality while eliminating visible holes or notches. If successful, this would bring the iPhone 18 Pro series much closer to a truly full-screen front design.
This change in display tech could also shake up Apple’s supply chain. The article notes that only Samsung Display and LG Display are currently capable of producing LTPO+ OLED panels that meet Apple’s standards. As a result, Chinese manufacturer BOE is expected to be sidelined from supplying screens for the Pro models, although it may still provide panels for the non-Pro iPhone 18 variants.
The new LTPO+ technology might not be limited to iPhones either. The report further claims that Apple intends to bring these panels to its next-generation MacBook Pro lineup, particularly the redesigned M6 MacBook Pro. That would mark a significant step toward unifying Apple’s premium display strategy across both mobile devices and laptops.
If these rumors pan out, the iPhone 18 Pro series could deliver not just a cleaner, more modern look by hiding Face ID hardware and possibly the selfie camera under the display, but also improved efficiency and potentially better overall screen performance.
