What’s LTPO 3.0?

Most smartphones in 2023 provide some sort of excessive refresh fee, whether or not it’s 90Hz, 120Hz and even 165Hz, however this has usually come at the price of general battery life. 

That’s all set to vary with the introduction of LTPO 3.0 AMOLED shows that look to dramatically enhance energy effectivity whereas nonetheless delivering the buttery-smooth efficiency shoppers have come to count on.

It’s a key function in loads of 2022 and 2023 flagships together with the iPhone 14 Professional, OnePlus 11 and Samsung Galaxy S23 Extremely, however what precisely is LTPO 3.0 and is it actually higher than normal AMOLED panels? 

We clarify all you should find out about LTPO 3.0 shows proper right here. 

What’s LTPO 3.0?

LTPO 3.0 is the most recent model of LTPO know-how accessible on sure high-end smartphones. In a nutshell, the tech permits shows to dynamically swap between refresh charges with out the necessity for a further part between the graphics controller and the GPU. Whereas preliminary LTPO shows had been restricted to 10Hz-120Hz, the newer LTPO 2.0 and LTPO 3.0 provide 1Hz-120Hz assist.

This has the potential to significantly enhance the vitality effectivity of the show, arguably the largest supply of energy draw on a smartphone. This enables the show to, for instance, drop the refresh fee down routinely when static photographs and immediately ramp it as much as 90- and even 120Hz when scrolling via menus or taking part in video games the place additional frames are at all times welcome. 

It might probably additionally drop as little as 1Hz when displaying components like an always-on show, significantly bettering the vitality effectivity of the panel. 

For context, normal OLED panels don’t permit for the dynamic adjustment of refresh charges with out a further part put in, which makes use of but extra energy. It’s the principle cause that many telephones you’ll discover will both swap between 60Hz, 90Hz and 120Hz, whereas LTPO shows can vary wherever from 1Hz as much as 120Hz.  

Is an LTPO show completely different from a normal OLED smartphone show?

LTPO is technically a tweaked model of OLED, however the two are completely different. As talked about, normal OLED panels can’t dynamically modify the refresh fee with out a further part between the graphics controller and GPU, whereas LTPO shows don’t want this part.

It’s right down to the best way the LTPO shows are constructed, and extra particularly, the kind of backplane used. For context, the backplane basically controls how every pixel acts, and is comprised of skinny movie transistors often known as TFTs. LTPO shows are produced from a mix of low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) TFTs and indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) TFTs, the place the previous brings improved vitality effectivity whereas the latter allows the dynamic refresh fee. 

What are the advantages of an LTPO show?

As we’ve alluded to, the principle advantage of utilizing an LTPO show over a normal OLED show is improved energy effectivity, particularly with excessive refresh fee shows. It’s nonetheless true that OLED panels are extra battery pleasant than LCDs, however LTPO takes this a step additional. 

The improved know-how permits the show to dynamically modify the refresh fee relying on what’s taking place on display screen, with the power to drop right down to a battery-friendly 1Hz when the always-on show is in use and ramp as much as as much as 120Hz immediately to supply that buttery {smooth}, responsive really feel of a quick display screen. This lets you absolutely benefit from the excessive refresh fee whereas not hammering the battery by continually rendering at 120Hz.