Apple may use a “hybrid” panel for first-ever OLED iPad, claims report – Times of India

Apple may not end up using the display panels used in iPhone or even Apple Watch for the first-ever OLED iPad which won’t release before 2023. The Cupertino-based tech giant is concerned that the type of OLED panel that is used in iPhones might look wrinkly if used for devices with displays bigger than 10 inches, reports The Elec. The company is planning to use a “hybrid” display, however, this technology won’t be available anytime soon.
Different types of OLED screens
There are two types of OLED screens — rigid and flexible OLED displays. Initially, manufacturers used rigid OLED displays, which came with a glass substrate. Later on, most smartphones, including iPhones started using polyimide films (for flexible panels) and replaced the glass ones.
As per the report, polyamide films are considered more advantageous as the material is not only cheaper and easier to produce, but they are also light and flexible. These displays have been useful for curved and folding screens and have been used for modern iPhones as well.

The issue with flexible OLED displays
The report mentions that flexible OLED screens have issues with being scaled up for larger displays as the production process might leave a (tiny, but visible) wrinkle on the display. So, Apple is reportedly planning to use ‘hybrid’ OLED panels which will be a combination of both rigid and flexible OLED panel technologies, the report claims. A hybrid OLED panel has a glass substrate (rigid) and a thin-film covering (flexible) as well.
According to the report, flexible OLED panels are made by varnishing glass substrates with polyimide in liquid form. The polyimide deposits on top of the original substrate and later the glass is removed through lasers which leaves behind a plastic substrate made of solidified polyimide. The report mentions that some parts of the polyimide may get wrinkled by the heat from the laser removal process.
The OLED displays used for iPhones also have wrinkles, but they are so small that they can’t be detected with our naked eyes. However, these wrinkles might become visible when used for displays larger than 10-inches, the report suggests.

Apple might come up with a solution for this issue which will allow the company to use the standard flexible polyimide screens. But, the report states that the tech giant might take a different route and use a “hybrid” display altogether.
Moreover, Samsung and LG are also developing a next-generation OLED panel technology called Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG). These displays are rumoured to enter mass production in about a year and are expected to be available during the time of the first OLED iPad, claims 9to5Mac.