Novatek will produce new OLED screens for the iPhone 17 Air.

It is possible that Apple is procuring a novel OLED display technology for the iPhone 17, as well as the speculated iPhone 17 Air. Interestingly, Novatek, a Taiwanese company, has announced that it will start mass-producing a new OLED display in the upcoming year.

Will Apple purchase OLED screens from Novatek?

The iPhone 16 series was just revealed by Apple. Late last month, the company began sending the newest iPhones to early adopters. This hasn't stopped rumors regarding the iPhone 17 series from circulating, though.

According to a recent rumor, the iPhone 17 and its thinner model—likely dubbed iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 17 Slim—will feature 120Hz screens. A new OLED panel, perfect for the future iPhone 17 models, is set to be produced at a higher volume starting next year, according to a Taiwanese company named Novatek.

As early as the second quarter of 2025, Novatek expects to start mass producing its much awaited OLED TDDI technology, according to DigiTimes. One of the top producers of display driver integrated circuits (DDI) in Taiwan is Novatek.

It's crucial to remember that neither Novatek nor Apple have officially stated that their display will be included in the iPhone model for the upcoming year. The anticipated release of the iPhone 17 Air in the fall of 2025 and Novatek's planned production timeline, however, may not be coincidental.

The smaller, slimmer OLED screen on the iPhone 17 Air will have a refresh rate of 120 Hz.

According to earlier rumors, ProMotion technology with a 120Hz refresh rate will eventually be available for the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air. In terms of display technology, this would be a significant advancement above the iPhone 16 of today.

Only a 60Hz refresh rate is supported by the panels on the most recent iPhone 16 and 16 Plus. The iPhone 17 Air devices would require new display technology in order to accommodate the faster refresh rate and still keep a thin profile.

Novatek has declared that it will use their much awaited OLED TDDI technology to mass-produce displays. Thicker displays are made possible by incorporating an OLED TDDI display, which is a major benefit. It goes without saying that this might be the best screen technology for the iPhone 17 Air that is rumored. (*)