This Apple Watch technology could improve your iPhone

According to Korea’s The Elec (via MacRumors), the LTPO3 display technology that was first used in the Apple Watch Series 10 could also be adapted for future iPhones. This new technology improves both energy efficiency and display performance.

On the flagship Apple Watch Series 10, LTPO3 allows Apple to optimize each pixel to emit more light at wider angles and improve battery efficiency. This means the display is 40% brighter than the previous model, the Apple Watch Series 9, which used LTPO2. The newer technology also allows for a faster refresh rate when the watch is in always-on mode.

From a technical perspective, LTPO2 uses two switching TFTs (thin film transistors), while LTPO3 uses a more efficient oxide-based version. It can directly control the power to emit light from the OLED element of the display.

The iPhone 16 Pro series uses LTPO2, which is not expected to change in the 2025 iPhone 17 Pro series. Therefore, the earliest we could see LTPO3 on iPhones is in 2026 with the iPhone 18.

Samsung Display, which has previously supplied displays for Apple Watches, is not involved with the Apple Watch Series 10. However, industry sources believe Samsung will be the focus when it comes to starting production of the Apple Watch Series 11 in 2025. From there, it could deliver displays for the iPhone 18 series and beyond, although nothing is confirmed yet.

Apple Watch Series 10’s LTPO3 feature reportedly improves battery efficiency; However, it doesn’t seem to extend battery life. The Apple Watch Series 10 offers up to 18 hours of battery life between charges, similar to other models in the series. Whether LTPO3 will produce similar or better results on future iPhones remains to be seen.