Apple is testing a next‑generation OLED backplane that could slash power use on future watches. Korean outlet The Elec reports LG Display is developing high‑mobility oxide (HMO) TFTs for its upcoming OLED lines. HMO promises higher electron mobility than the current LTPO, which powers iPhone and Watch always‑on displays. and 10‑fold efficiency gains are expected. while keeping manufacturing costs comparable.

LG’s sputtering process may ease integration into existing lines, but Samsung Display counters with atomic‑layer deposition, a slower but more precise method. Samsung’s approach could yield tighter control over transistor layers, whereas HMO targets a mobility range of 30‑50 cm²/Vs versus the sub‑10 cm²/Vs common in today’s oxide TFTs. Both aim to reduce power draw without compromising display quality or yield levels.

If LG validates the technology, Apple could first deploy HMO in its 2027 Watch lineup, following its pattern of testing new backplanes on the Watch before scaling to iPhones. The move would tighten battery life and enable higher refresh rates, directly benefiting fitness tracking and always‑on features. Adoption remains contingent on mass‑production readiness while keeping component costs under control today.