According to a new report from DisplaySearch, Apple will once again lead the world with innovative display. The Cupertino-based company was first to kick start the high ppi display revolution with their Retina Display.
“Over the past several years, Apple has been an early adaptor of display technology as well as a critical part of the supply chain – rather than relying on display and materials makers to develop the most advanced displays, the company has invested in the supply chain and intervened in the technical direction of its displays,” David Hsieh writes for DisplaySearch. “It is clear from its products that Apple is a strong believer in high resolution, wide color gamut and wide viewing angle displays. Apple has several “firsts” in its record: first to adopt a display with more than 300 ppi in a smart phone; first to adopt QXGA resolution in a tablet PC; first to integrate cover glass into product design; and of course, first to integrate touch sensor into the display (in-cell touch).”
At the moment, many smartphones from competitors tout higher resolution screen than Apple’s iPhones. But the company has plans to lead in display technology once again.
Apple is planning to revamp nearly all of the displays in its products over the next year. This would indicate that Apple, once again, intends to count on display technology for new product innovation, the report said.
Possible display for Apple’s new products:
| Current Product | Display | New Product | Display | Timing |
| iPhone 5 | 4” 1136×640 | iPhone 6 | 4.7” 1280×720; 5.7” 1920×1080 | Q2’14 |
| iPad | 9.7” 2048×1536 | iPad 5 | 9.7” 2048×1536; portrait mode, slim bezel | Q4’13 |
| New iPad | 12.9” 2732×2048 | 2014 | ||
| iPad mini | 7.9” XGA | iPad mini 2 | 7.9” 2048×1536; portrait mode | Q4’13 |
| MacBook Air | 13.3” 1440×900 | MacBook Air (new) | 12” 2304×1440; low power | 2014 |
| Apple TV | 55”, 65” 4Kx2K 120Hz LCD | Q3’14 | ||
| iWatch | 1.3”/1.63” 320×320 flexible AMOLED | Q4’14 |
“In reality, changing to a bigger display or a higher resolution is not as simple as changing the screen,” David Hsieh reports. “The graphic processing unit (GPU) and operating system match the display hardware. A device with high resolution screen but without high-resolution GPU and OS capabilities is like a soldier driving a powerful tank but using a sword to fight. What Apple does better than any company is integrate the hardware and software, as well as the implementation of the user interface, and finally the content ecosystem.”
