iPhone SE 4 to Complete Apple's Switch to OLED Across iPhone Lineup

Apple is expected to launch a fourth-generation iPhone SE early next year with an OLED display for the first time, marking the completion of Apple's adoption of OLED technology across all iPhone models.

iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1
According to Nikkei Asia, the move away from LCD displays will exclude two longstanding Japanese panel makers, Japan Display (JDI) and Sharp, from Apple's iPhone supply chain.

In 2017, Apple introduced OLED screens with the iPhone X. Since then, OLED displays have replaced LCD screens in Apple's high-end iPhone models. This shift has significantly impacted LCD suppliers. In 2015, JDI and Sharp provided about 200 million LCD panels yearly for iPhones.

However, by 2023, this number had decreased dramatically to around 20 million. Recently, Apple's gradual adoption of OLED has seen both Japanese LCD makers supply for just iPhone SE models.

JDI currently only supplies small OLED displays for devices such as the Apple Watch. JDI is now focusing on revamping its business strategy around LCDs for automotive applications, while Sharp is scaling back its LCD business, which was primarily for TVs.

Meanwhile, Apple has reportedly begun placing orders for OLED displays for the upcoming iPhone SE from China's BOE Technology Group and South Korea's LG Display.

The fourth-generation ‌iPhone SE‌ is rumored to feature an iPhone 14-like design, Face ID instead of Touch ID, a USB-C port, an Action button, an Apple-designed 5G modem, an A18 processor, and an all-screen look that does away with the Home Button. The device's display is expected to grow in size from 4.7 inches to 6.06 inches, and internal RAM is likely to be 8GB, up from 4GB in the 2022 model, due to the hardware requirements of Apple Intelligence.

Apple suppliers are expected to begin ramping up mass production of the device in October of this year. The device could be released ahead of the Lunar New Year in January 2025. However, all three existing iPhone SE models were announced in March over the years, so a March 2025 release seems possible too.

Related Roundup: iPhone SE
Tag: Nikkei
Buyer's Guide: iPhone SE (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iPhone

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Top Rated Comments

platinumaqua Avatar
24 weeks ago
I prefer LCDs for its longevity, but I guess the ship has sailed
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
madmin Avatar
24 weeks ago
Good, so give us OLED on the Mac lineup as well. The iPad Pro screens really are top notch :0
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Paddle1 Avatar
24 weeks ago
I guess anyone experiencing issues with PWM will have to get the display swapped out moving forward.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
one more Avatar
24 weeks ago

I guess anyone experiencing issues with PWM will have to get the display swapped out moving forward.
Finding a suitable LCD screen will be getting more and more difficult as time goes by. I hope Apple figures out an acceptable PWM rate for sensitive people or at least offer it as an Accessibility option.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Godspeed8230 Avatar
24 weeks ago
I am still on my iPhone SE 2020 and it's still going strong. I had my battery replaced in December but other than that no problems. It was and is a great device, the best value for money.
Looking forward to an updated version. Next year I might upgrade then.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
24 weeks ago

But really, I doubt Apple will put the latest processor in the SE as well.
They did with the last SE release. The SE 2022 and the 13 series had the same A15 processor.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)