According to ZDNet Korea, Apple has asked Samsung Display and LG Display to produce OLED samples for a future iMac, with a targeted release window between 2029 and 2030. The two suppliers are expected to utilize existing production lines to accelerate the maturity of the panels, signaling early but concrete technical choices being considered in Cupertino.
Samsung Display is aiming for a density of 220 PPI in QD-OLED prototypes, a significant jump from the current 160 PPI supported in production. Samples are expected to appear in the second half of 2026, supported by SEMES delivering inkjet printing equipment capable of achieving this level of resolution.
Achieving 220 PPI in QD-OLED on large screens involves precise control of sub-pixel alignment and yield rates. If successful, the OLED iMac could offer display finesse, wide gamut, high peak luminance, while maintaining a clean native contrast with self-emitting capabilities.
Meanwhile, LG Display is exploring a novel Tandem W-OLED structure with five layers in a BGBRG series, different from the well-established four-layer BGBR architecture. This configuration aims for better efficiency and luminance retention over time at a slower development pace.
The choice of a more complex Tandem structure can enhance longevity and reduce burn-in on static interfaces, crucial for a productivity-oriented all-in-one. However, the material/encapsulation validation timeline will be crucial to meet the 2029-2030 target.
The early request for samples suggests that Apple is finalizing the technological stack and target screen sizes before product engineering. The two approaches – high-density QD-OLED at Samsung and enhanced Tandem W-OLED at LG – align with a premium iMac, potentially positioned above current LCDs, with strict requirements for uniformity, ABL, and thermal management.
If either approach successfully combines 220 PPI, sustained luminance, and durability on large panels, the professional display market could benefit beyond Apple’s ecosystem, through increased capacity of production lines and better availability of high-definition large-format OLED panels.
Source: ITHome
