This Technology Could Pave the Way for the 'iPhone 17 Air' Next Year

Taiwanese company Novatek has announced plans to begin mass production of OLED displays with TDDI (touch and display driver integration) technology as early as the second quarter of 2025, supply chain publication DigiTimes reported today.

iPhone 17 Slim Feature Single Camera 2
The report states that Apple is "expected" to be one of Novatek's first customers, although this claim appears to be speculative.

"While industry insiders remain tight-lipped about potential end customers, speculation suggests that Novatek's proposed shipping schedule could align with the next-generation iPhone displays in 2025," the report says. If this speculation proves to be accurate, at least some iPhone 17 models could adopt the technology next year.

Given that TDDI technology would allow for Apple devices to have thinner OLED displays, through integration of the touch and display driver layers, the technology seems particularly fitting for the rumored ultra-thin "iPhone 17 Air."

It remains to be seen if Apple actually moves forward with adopting this technology. The report further speculated that Apple might first use it in lower-volume products compared to the iPhone, such as future iPad and Apple Watch models, and the technology would also be suitable for a long-rumored foldable iPhone or iPad.

Related Roundups: iPhone 17, iPhone Air
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Spotlight

Apple Expected to Unveil Five All-New Products This Year

Wednesday January 21, 2026 10:54 am PST by
In addition to updating many of its existing products, Apple is expected to unveil five all-new products this year, including a smart home hub, a Face ID doorbell, a MacBook with an A18 Pro chip, a foldable iPhone, and augmented reality glasses. Below, we have recapped rumored features for each product. Smart Home Hub Apple home hub (concept) Apple's long-rumored smart home hub should...
airpods pro 3 purple

New, Higher End AirPods Pro Coming This Year

Tuesday January 20, 2026 9:05 am PST by
Apple is planning to debut a high-end secondary version of AirPods Pro 3 this year, sitting in the lineup alongside the current model, reports suggest. Back in September 2025, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to introduce a successor to the AirPods Pro 3 in 2026. This would be somewhat unusual since Apple normally waits around three years to make major...
airtag prime day 2

Apple Developing AirTag-Sized AI Pin With Dual Cameras

Wednesday January 21, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
Apple is working on a small, wearable AI pin equipped with multiple cameras, a speaker, and microphones, reports The Information. If it actually launches, the AI pin will likely run the new Siri chatbot that Apple plans to unveil in iOS 27. The pin is said to be similar in size to an AirTag, with a thin, flat, circular disc shape. It has an aluminum and glass shell, and two cameras at the...
smaller dynamic island iphone 18 pro Filip Vabrous%CC%8Cek

iPhone 18 Pro Leak: Smaller Dynamic Island, No Top-Left Camera Cutout

Tuesday January 20, 2026 2:34 am PST by
Over the last few months, rumors around the iPhone 18 Pro's front-panel design have been conflicted, with some supply-chain leaks pointing to under-display Face ID, reports suggesting a top-left hole-punch camera, and debate over whether the familiar Dynamic Island will shrink, shift, or disappear entirely. Today, Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital shared new details that appear to clarify the ...
M5 MacBook Pro

MacBook Pro to Receive Up to Six New Features by Next Year

Thursday January 22, 2026 9:31 am PST by
Apple is expected to release MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips soon, but you might want to pass on them, as bigger changes are around the corner. It has been reported that the MacBook Pro will be receiving a major redesign in late 2026 or in 2027. Six new features have been rumored so far, including an OLED display, touch capabilities, a Dynamic Island, M6 Pro and M6 Max chips...

Top Rated Comments

mrat93 Avatar
17 months ago
I love this new era of Apple where they’re putting out new devices that I have no desire to upgrade to every year. Never thought I’d be happier with old tech.
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SD449 Avatar
17 months ago
Dreaming of an iPhone lineup where an iPhone mini sits separate to the iPhone # line like it does with the iPads
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GravyonAPlane Avatar
17 months ago
I have never once said I want a thinner phone, though I have said I'd like a bigger battery every single day of my life. Use the thin OLED to make room for a battery that is 50% bigger. (please)
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jml12286 Avatar
17 months ago
I just want a fatter Mini Pro
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
McWetty Avatar
17 months ago

I just want a fatter Mini Pro
Mmm hmmm. ?

An iPhone Mini Pro with no camera bump, same battery life, and comfy to hold in the hand? Sign me up.

I’d love to see them dump the “non-pro” line in favor of a single lineup that only differentiates by size. Then keep the SE for budget minded people.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SmugMaverick Avatar
17 months ago
Didn’t they say this about the 16 series.

This is what gurman does, keep throwing stuff at the wall and it’ll happen eventually.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)