20th Anniversary iPhone Could Get COE Display, but Samsung Beats Apple to It

Even though Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series is still a few months away, the leaks and rumors just keep coming. One such rumor suggests that Samsung plans to equip the lineup with COE display tech in Galaxy S26 Ultra. In simple terms, this would make the screens thinner, brighter, and more energy-efficient than the current panels.

The 20th anniversary special iPhone will reportedly feature COE display

It also seems that Apple is eyeing the same display technology for its 20th anniversary iPhone, which is expected to launch in 2027, according to ETNews. Naturally, expectations are sky-high for a two-decade milestone iPhone. After all, the iPhone X marked a major redesign, and many expect Apple to follow in those footsteps once again.

Here’s the catch, though. By the time Apple unveils its 20th anniversary special iPhone, Samsung will already have at least a one-year head start with COE on its flagship lineup. Samsung has been testing this technology in its foldable devices since the Galaxy Z Fold 3 back in 2021.

Bringing it to slab phones, especially the Galaxy S series, marks a much bigger leap. It would reach a far wider audience, because while foldables are slowly becoming mainstream, they are still nowhere near as common as traditional slab phones. Multiple reports have consistently pointed out that the Galaxy S26 Ultra will be the first to ship with COE in 2026.

What’s COE display tech, after all?

Most OLED displays today use a polarizing layer to cut down reflections and improve image clarity. While effective, this layer also blocks some of the screen’s brightness. To make up for it, devices draw more power, which in turn drains the battery faster.

COE, short for Color On Encapsulation, removes the need for a separate polarizer. Instead, the color filter is built directly into the OLED’s protective layer. This lets more light pass through to the user’s eyes while keeping the display sharp and uniform.