The first iPhone to finally catch up to Android on refresh rates
In the quiet hum of a South Korean factory, a partnership between two of the world's most powerful technology companies deepens — Samsung Display has begun mass-producing 120Hz LTPO OLED panels destined for Apple's forthcoming iPhone 13 Pro lineup, a milestone that brings to Apple's flagship phones a display capability Android rivals have long offered. The arrangement, spanning over 120 million OLED units across multiple suppliers and device generations, reflects not only the industrial scale of modern consumer electronics but also Apple's careful orchestration of its supply chain and its measured, deliberate pace of adopting new technology. Beyond phones, the horizon suggests a broader reckoning for Apple's tablet lineup, as OLED's pixel-perfect light control edges closer to replacing the imperfect glow of LCD and Mini-LED screens.
- Samsung Display has already begun mass production — a month ahead of last year's schedule — signaling that Apple may unveil the iPhone 13 earlier than it launched the iPhone 12.
- For the first time in iPhone history, Pro models will ship with a 120Hz adaptive display, closing a gap that Android flagships have held over Apple for years.
- The battery drain risk of 120Hz is countered by LTPO technology, which drops the refresh rate as low as 10Hz during static content, preserving the all-day battery life iPhone users expect.
- Apple spreads its 120-million-unit OLED order across Samsung, LG Display, and BOE — a deliberate three-way split designed to prevent dangerous dependence on any single manufacturer.
- iPad users who suffered the bloom halo effect on the 2021 Mini-LED iPad Pro may find relief ahead, as Samsung is set to begin producing OLED panels for select iPad models as early as 2022.
Samsung Display has begun mass-producing OLED panels for Apple's upcoming iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max — more than 80 million units featuring 120Hz refresh rates and LTPO adaptive technology. It marks the first time an iPhone will ship with a 120Hz display, a capability Android flagships have offered for years. Production is already underway at Samsung's A3 Line facility in Asan, South Korea, running a month ahead of last year's pace — a detail that hints Apple may announce the new iPhones earlier than it did the iPhone 12.
The scale of the arrangement is considerable. Samsung's total OLED output for Apple in 2021 reaches roughly 120 million units when legacy orders for iPhone 12 and older models are included. Apple is not relying on Samsung alone: LG Display will supply panels for the standard iPhone 13 and mini, contributing around 50 million units across new and older generations, while Chinese manufacturer BOE adds another 9 million. The three-supplier strategy reflects both the enormous volume of iPhone production and Apple's deliberate effort to avoid over-reliance on any single partner.
The 120Hz upgrade comes with a practical challenge — higher refresh rates consume more battery. Apple's answer is LTPO technology, which allows the display to drop to as low as 10Hz when showing static content like text, then ramp back up when motion demands it. The result is smoother performance without the battery penalty users would otherwise notice.
Looking further ahead, Samsung's display relationship with Apple is expected to extend into tablets. Reports suggest Samsung could begin supplying OLED screens for select iPad models in 2022, with more of the lineup following in 2023. The shift matters: the 2021 iPad Pro's Mini-LED display, while impressive, drew complaints about a bloom effect — a halo of light bleeding around bright objects on dark backgrounds. OLED's pixel-level light control would eliminate that flaw entirely, though Apple appears set to make the transition gradually rather than all at once.
Samsung Display has begun mass production of a new generation of screens destined for Apple's most expensive phones. The South Korean company will manufacture more than 80 million OLED panels equipped with 120Hz refresh rates and LTPO technology—adaptive refresh rate circuitry that adjusts the display's speed based on what's being shown—specifically for the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max models launching later in 2021. This marks the first time any iPhone will ship with a 120Hz display, a feature that Android flagships have offered for years.
The scale of Samsung's commitment to Apple is substantial. Beyond the premium Pro models, Samsung will continue supplying OLED screens for the iPhone 12 and earlier generations even after the iPhone 13 lineup arrives. When combined with these legacy orders, Samsung's total output for Apple this year reaches approximately 120 million OLED units. The manufacturing takes place at Samsung Display's A3 Line facility in Asan, South Korea, where production has already begun—a month ahead of last year's schedule, suggesting Apple may unveil the new iPhones earlier than it did with the iPhone 12.
Apple is not relying on Samsung alone. LG Display will supply OLED panels for the standard iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini models, producing 30 million units for the new lineup and 50 million total units including older iPhone generations. Chinese manufacturer BOE will contribute an additional 9 million panels. This three-way split reflects both the massive scale of iPhone production and Apple's strategy to avoid dependence on any single supplier.
The 120Hz refresh rate itself carries practical implications. While the higher refresh rate makes scrolling and animations appear smoother, it also drains battery faster. Apple will likely implement LTPO technology to solve this problem—the display automatically reduces its refresh rate to 10Hz or lower when the content doesn't require the full 120Hz speed, such as when reading static text. This adaptive approach allows Apple to offer the performance benefit without sacrificing the all-day battery life users expect from iPhones.
Beyond phones, Samsung's display work for Apple extends into tablets. Reports indicate that Samsung may begin producing OLED screens for select iPad models starting in 2022, with additional iPad models potentially receiving OLED displays by 2023. This represents a gradual shift in Apple's tablet strategy away from LCD and Mini-LED technologies. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro released in 2021 switched to Mini-LED, but some users reported a display bloom issue—a visible halo effect around bright objects on dark backgrounds caused by the self-emissive nature of the backlighting. OLED, with its pixel-level light control, could eliminate this problem entirely, though the transition will happen methodically across the iPad lineup rather than all at once.
Notable Quotes
Apple will likely integrate a variable refresh rate that switches frequencies depending on what is on the screen to save battery— Industry reporting on Apple's LTPO implementation strategy
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why does it matter that Samsung is making these screens a month earlier than last year?
It's a signal about Apple's timeline. If the supply chain is accelerating, it usually means the product launch is moving up too. Apple might announce the iPhone 13 sooner than it did the iPhone 12.
But Android phones already have 120Hz displays. Why is this a big deal for iPhone?
Because Apple's been conservative about refresh rates. They waited until they could do it right—with LTPO technology that doesn't destroy battery life. For them, it's not just about having the feature; it's about having it without compromise.
What's LTPO actually doing for the user?
It's invisible work. The screen is constantly adjusting its refresh rate based on what you're looking at. Reading email? It drops to 10Hz. Scrolling? It jumps to 120Hz. The user just feels a smooth experience without their battery dying by afternoon.
Why is Samsung producing screens for older iPhones too?
Demand doesn't stop when a new model launches. People still buy iPhone 12s, iPhone 11s. Samsung keeps those production lines running because Apple still needs those panels.
And the iPad shift to OLED—is that coming soon?
Not immediately. Apple's being deliberate. They're testing the waters with Mini-LED first, learning what works and what doesn't. The OLED transition for iPads will probably take a couple of years to roll out across the whole lineup.