Kadir Can AkıncıSamsung and LG are both very big OLED display manufacturers, selling displays to many OEMs in the current smartphone industry including Xiaomi and even Apple. While the upcoming Z Fold5 is scheduled for release next year, its predecessor, Galaxy Z Fold4 already showcased a significant advancement in efficiency compared to the display of Fold3. Samsung has labeled this improved display technology as “Eco OLED”.
More efficient OLED displays
Efficiency gains in screen technology have become crucial for companies, particularly with foldable devices. Foldable devices have a much larger display but they come with a battery almost the same size as a phone with a conventional form factor, they have a display as big as a mini tablet, but the battery inside is the same capacity as the battery found in a smartphone.
Recent reports reveal that both Samsung Display and LG Display are jointly developing an OLED panel that utilizes a low-refractive CPL (cover layer). This thin CPL layer covers the cathode and reduces light loss resulting from nearby electrodes reflecting light during emission. The current CPL with its high refractive index can be improved by introducing a low-refractive CPL layer, leading to enhanced light efficiency, energy efficiency, and overall product lifespan. However, this advancement might introduce higher costs and complexities in the manufacturing process of OLED panels.
LG already employs a similar technology, known as MLA in their OLED TVs. OLEDs equipped with MLA achieve a 20% increase in brightness while consuming nearly the same amount of electrical power.
Although the OLED displays with CPL layer that Samsung and LG are developing have not entered mass production yet, Samsung seems poised to introduce new, highly energy-efficient OLED displays for their future devices. As a result, users can expect extended battery life from these high energy-efficient OLED displays.
