Reports indicate that Apple is aggressively developing a cutting-edge display technology known as High Mobility Oxide HMO for future iPhones. This move is seen as the next major architectural shift for its mobile panels, promising to address two critical areas: power consumption and manufacturing cost.
The technology: Faster electrons, lower power
HMO technology is designed to succeed the current generation of oxide thin-film transistor TFT backplanes. TFTs are the microscopic switches that control every pixel on an OLED screen, regulating the current flow. The key advantage of HMO lies in its dramatically improved electron mobility compared to the low-temperature polycrystalline oxide LTPO technology used in high-end iPhone Pro models today.
This higher mobility means:
- Lower Power Consumption: Electrical signals are processed much faster, requiring less current overall to drive the pixels. This can lead to significant gains in iPhone battery life without needing larger batteries.
- Improved Performance: The enhanced current transmission efficiency can support the demands of higher-resolution and high-refresh-rate displays.
A cost-effective successor to LTPO
Currently, Apple’s most advanced displays rely on LTPO technology, which allows for the dynamically adjusting ProMotion refresh rates (as low as 1Hz for the Always-On Display). While effective, LTPO is complex and expensive to produce.
HMO offers a powerful alternative. Its manufacturing process is reportedly simpler and requires less specialized equipment compared to LTPO, offering a substantial cost advantage in mass production. This potential for lower cost could help Apple manage the rising expense of other components in future iPhones.
Samsung’s display evolution: LTPS vs. LTPO
The evolution of HMO is best understood in the context of the backplane technologies Samsung Display (the largest OLED supplier) has already deployed in its own Dynamic AMOLED and Super AMOLED smartphones.
| Backplane Technology | LTPS (Low-Temperature Poly-Silicon) | LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) |
| Used In | Standard/Mid-range OLED screens (e.g., non-Pro iPhones, older Galaxy models). | High-end flagship screens (e.g., Galaxy S Ultra series, iPhone Pro series). |
| Refresh Rate | Static (Typically 60Hz, 90Hz, or 120Hz fixed). | Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): Can dynamically adjust from 1Hz to 120Hz. |
| Electron Mobility | High, but suffers from high current leakage. | Hybrid (LTPS + IGZO). High mobility with lower leakage than LTPS. |
| Power Consumption | Higher at 120Hz due to constant refreshing and leakage. | Significantly lower due to dynamic refresh and reduced leakage. |
| Samsung’s Name | Standard AMOLED | HOP (Hybrid Oxide and Polycrystalline silicon) |
The key difference lies in the LTPO backplane, which Samsung branded as HOP in its earlier Note and Galaxy Ultra models. LTPO combines the high mobility of LTPS for the switching transistors with a more efficient oxide material (like IGZO) for the driving transistors. This combination enables the dynamic refresh rate, which is the biggest power saver. Apple’s HMO is seen as the natural next step, aiming to simplify the hybrid LTPO/HOP manufacturing process while retaining or even further improving power efficiency and electron mobility by utilizing a purer, improved oxide structure.
The race for the future: HMO vs. Tandem OLED
While HMO focuses on improving the TFT backplane, the engine of the display, Apple is also pursuing another major screen upgrade: Tandem OLED. This technology, which stacks two organic light-emitting layers instead of one, has already debuted in the M4 iPad Pro to provide superior brightness and longevity.
The two technologies are not mutually exclusive and could potentially be combined, but reports suggest Apple’s plans for implementation are staggered: Tandem OLED is currently not expected to arrive in the iPhone until at least 2028. The exact timing for when HMO panels will be integrated into the iPhone lineup remains uncertain, with a multi-year development cycle anticipated.
Apple is reportedly in discussions with its primary display suppliers, LG Display and Samsung Display (and potentially China’s BOE), to develop and scale up HMO production. However, a final supplier partnership has not been disclosed. The timeline suggests that Apple will continue its history of introducing major display innovations first in its professional-grade products before bringing them to the mass-market iPhone.
