Apple is considering new display technology for future iPad Pro models that could deliver much slimmer bezels. The company is evaluating LG Innotek’s chip-on-film (CoF) technology for upcoming OLED displays.
New Display Technology
Korean outlet The Elec reports that Apple will decide this month whether to approve LX Semicon’s display driver IC, which would work with LG Innotek’s CoF technology.
CoF technology attaches display driver chips directly to panels using heat compression on flexible film. This sends signals to control individual pixels through thin-film transistors.
Smaller Bezels, Same Screen Size
The new technology enables tighter integration along the display’s edges. This could shrink visible bezels while maintaining the same screen size in the current device footprint.
Users would get more screen real estate without the iPad Pro becoming larger. The thinner bezels would create a more immersive viewing experience.
Potential Battery Benefits
The combination might also offer more power-efficient signal processing. This could translate to better battery life, though this benefit is less certain than the bezel improvements.
More efficient displays would help offset the power demands of the iPad Pro’s high-performance processors.
Supply Chain Changes
Apple currently uses Samsung System LSI exclusively for display driver ICs in its OLED iPad Pro models launched last year. Switching to LG would diversify Apple’s supply chain.
The change could also reduce component costs through increased competition between suppliers. Apple often uses multiple suppliers to avoid dependence on single sources.
Which iPad Gets the Update
The report doesn’t specify which iPad model would get these components first. However, DigiTimes separately confirms that LX Semicon’s entry into Apple’s supply chain relates to iPad Pro models.
Other iPad Pro Updates Coming
The iPad Pro is rumored to receive an M5 chip in the second half of 2025. Future models could also feature:
- Landscape-oriented Apple logos
- Apple-designed 5G modems by 2027
- A possible foldable 18.8-inch model as early as 2027
Competitive Display Market
The move to LG technology shows Apple’s continued push for better displays while managing costs. Thinner bezels have become a key selling point for premium tablets and smartphones.
The changes could help the iPad Pro maintain its position as the premium tablet choice against growing competition.
