Apple iPads have been getting appreciation for years because of their awesome Retina displays. Now, this company has brought a new advancement— Tandem OLED. This one is the new display technology introduced in Apple’s latest iPad Pro lineup. However, it is not completely new, as this display was first seen in the Honor Magic 6 RSR Porsche Design. Later, Apple rebranded it as “Ultra Retina XDR” technology.
A tandem OLED is called a stacked OLED. This type of screen technology is used to make the display brighter and last longer. The earlier OLED screens were equipped with a single layer that was capable of emitting light. However, tandem OLEDs have multiple light-emitting layers that emit light independently. These layers emit light to make the display more efficient & to increase the brightness level. Compared to single-OLED screens, less power is consumed by screens that use this display technology.
What is Tandem OLED?
Tandem OLED refers to a design used for LG OLED display screens. In this case, two OLED panels emit light in sequence by sitting on top of each other. Each of these panels contains two light-emitting pixel layers to emit 50% light so that these can deliver 100% output together. While it ensures that the display will consume less power, the risk of screen burn-in is also minimized.
Do you require more brightness? Then, you should know that both pixel layers can deliver the maximum brightness level. In this way, it helps to improve the aggregate brightness. New M4 iPad Pro models, which were equipped with mini-LED and LCD screens earlier, are available with this display technology. As a result, these models can now deliver better contrast levels, colors, and enhanced brightness.
How Does It Work?
Tandem OLED screens help to combine two separate OLED devices, which are called OLED modules. These modules are responsible for emitting light individually. This type of screen is capable of combining the two OLED modules so that it can deliver more brightness.
According to the theory, if there is N number of OLED modules available in the tandem OLED, it will ensure that the device is N times more efficient than the efficiency of the single layer device. For instance, if your device has three layers of tandem OLED modules, it can provide three times more efficiency than the devices with one layer of OLED modules.
The tandem design can distribute electrical load across all layers. Thus, minimizing the pressure on every layer and boosting the lifetime of these types of screens become possible. You need to know that OLED pixels are capable of creating their own light. If the amount of pixels gets doubled, it will generate much more light.
According to the company, the full-screen brightness level of the new iPad Pro model can go up to 1000 nits for SDR and HDR. For smaller highlights, the highest HDR brightness level might reach 1600 nits. However, the brightness level on the latest OLED TVs can reach upto 3000-4000 nits.
Tandem OLED Structure:
Like traditional OLEDs, these displays have a similar structure. Each of the two OLED modules has an organic emissive layer that is located between two charge transport layers. A layer is used to connect two OLED modules and is known as CGL or the charge-generating layer.
Based on emissive layers and device structure, you can find different tandem OLEDs. It is possible to connect these OLED modules in series or in parallel:
- In series, its brightness as well as efficiency is enhanced.
- In parallel, it permits to control every module separately.
Benefits Of Tandem OLEDs:
This technology can be beneficial in different ways, including:
- Provide More Brightness And Efficiency:
Compared to the screens with one OLED, these can deliver much more brightness. Due to the presence of several light-emitting layers, these are easily capable of creating more light.
- Long-Lasting Screens:
Sometimes, OLED screens can wear out quickly as these suffer from burn-in. But you will not face the issue with tandem OLED screens. The reason is that these screens are capable of minimizing the stress level on each layer. As a result, the screens can last for a longer period and maintain high picture quality.
- Consume Lower Power:
Devices that use this technology consume less power. As electrical load is distributed across multiple layers, it indicates that the brightness level of display screens remains bright and consumes less energy.
- Color Tuning:
If the OLEDs are parallelly connected, it will be possible to send different voltage levels to different layers to control the color ratios of emitted light. As a result, it becomes possible to tune the color that is emitted from a single OLED module.
- Reduced Risk Of Burn-in:
As this technology permits to have a higher level of control, it is possible to control each pixel’s brightness in two OLED modules. So, you can counteract the burn-in effects by adjusting the brightness in each pixel.
- Greener Technology:
This advanced technology is very efficient and consumes less power. So you have to replace displays using this technology less often.
What is the Downside of Tandem OLED?
When the number of pixels increases, you have to spend more money. And the cost becomes a hefty one for the latest iPad Pro. The starting price for the 11″ model is £999 / $999 / AU$1699. If you want to purchase a 13-inch model, you have to invest £1299 / $1299 / AU$2199. Compared to the 11-inch iPad Pro, this 13-inch model is £200 / $200 / AU$300 more expensive.
On the other hand, the 13-inch model is £50 / $200 / AU$300 costlier than the old 12.9-inch model. However, the newly launched models come with some new advancements, like the excellent M4 processor as well as slimline design.
Tandem OLED Applications:
- Tablets And Laptops:
Leading companies and experts of the display screen technology are adapting this new technology into the device screens. For instance, it is used in the Apple iPad Pro (M4) Ultra Retina XDR display.
In addition, LG Laptops have started using these technologies. According to this company, their screens are now consuming 40% less power. The company said that their screens are now able to last double than the device screens using single-OLED technology and are three times more efficient.
- Televisions:
LG G3 is a new LG OLED TV that uses this technology.
- Wearables:
This technology has a big impact on the wearable industry. To design the display of the Apple Watch Series 9 this technology is used, which helps to increase the battery performance and makes sure that you can clearly see something even in bright sunlight.
- Automotive Displays:
When it comes to the automotive industry, brands like Audi are taking a step further by integrating this technology into their most recent models. These types of displays are able to offer bright as well as reliable navigation screens & navigation panels, which are required for safe driving.
How Does Tandem OLED Overcome The Challenges Of OLED Panels?
Although OLED technology is used in different industries like televisions, smartphones, etc., it has some limitations, such as limited brightness. Moreover, the potential for burn-in is another issue of this technology. You can encounter the burn-in problem if you keep the static images opened on screen for long periods.
As a result, a mark can appear permanently on the display. However, the Tandem OLED display of Apple is able to handle these types of problems easily. In iPad Pro, two OLED panels are stacked to offer a high level of brightness, making the display to last for a longer period. As the tandem OLED structure is more efficient, the risk of burn-in is reduced. Besides, this type of display is capable of maintaining the picture quality over time.
Which Problems Are Fixed By Tandem OLED?
Let’s discuss the problems that are faced with OLED screens and fixed by Tandem OLED. No matter whether you use the best OLED TV, the best laptop, or the best smartphone — you can face the two common problems with the OLED screen.
- Brightness:
You need to know that the OLED screens are not as bright as the LED/LCD screens. When you use devices that are equipped with OLED screens in sunlight or a bright environment, you can face issues, as you will see reflections interfering with what you are viewing.
- Burn-in:
If images remain on OLED screens for long periods, you can face a ‘burn-in’ problem. These two issues are connected somewhere. In order to make OLED screens to become brighter, it is possible to push more power through them. But it could generate an immense level of heat, leading to screen burn-in.
The Tandem OLED screens of the new iPad Pro can handle these issues. In this case, the two layers of OLED pixels help to create light twice as much as the amount produced previously. It resolves the brightness issue. Moreover, as two layers of pixels are used, every layer is able to run less bright compared to a single layer would need to. Thus, it can help to resolve the burn-in issue.
Future Of Tandem OLEDs:
This technology is completely ready to create high-end displays on different devices. Whether it’s consumer electronics or automotive applications, the usages of these types of displays are increasing day by day. These types of OLEDs help to extend the lifespan of the screen. Besides, it can enhance brightness levels and reduce the consumption of power. Due to all of these benefits, the leading companies have started adopting this technology.
The Bottom Line:
LG says that the new Tandem OLED panels used on the upcoming laptops are going to be 28% lighter than the OLED laptops, which exist already. The company is also claiming that the panels will be 40% thinner. However, Apple is now the only laptop manufacturer that is left out of the OLED, as no MacBook has come with these types of screens yet. Hopefully, MacBook will change this thing by adopting this technology in its next-generation laptops.
