A new report from Korean news outlet The Elec claims Apple is considering using LG Innotek’s chip-on-film (CoF) technology for future iPad Pro OLED displays. The move could result in iPad Pros with slimmer bezels, allowing for more compact design without reducing screen size.
The report says Apple is expected to approve or reject LX Semicon’s display driver IC this month, which would work alongside LG Innotek’s CoF technology. COF is the abbreviation of Chip on Film, which is a flexible film with the ability to carry ICs and passive components by using the characteristics of the COG technology process.
This allows for tighter integration of the panel along the display’s edges, which could shrink the iPad Pro’s visible bezels, offering more screen area in the same-sized device footprint. The technology might also offer more power-efficient signal processing, possibly allowing for improved battery life.
Apple has relied on Samsung System LSI to provide display driver ICs for its OLED iPad Pro models, which the company launched last year.
While the report doesn’t actually specify which iPad model the components are destined for, DigiTimes reports that LX Semicon’s entry into Apple’s supply chain is connected to the iPad Pro.
