OLED screens make a big difference in display quality, offering deeper blacks, vivid colors, and better power efficiency than LCDs. If you're shopping for a new iPhone or want to know if your current device uses OLED, a clear breakdown helps. This guide covers every OLED iPhone released so far, why Apple uses OLED on certain models, and how to spot the difference in daily use.
What Is an OLED Screen, and Why Does It Matter?
OLED stands for Organic Light-Emitting Diode. Unlike older LCD displays that need a backlight, each pixel in an OLED screen emits its own light. This means true blacks, since pixels can turn off completely, and more vibrant colors. You’ll also notice better contrast ratios and, in some cases, thinner display panels. For phones, that translates to eye-catching visuals and sometimes longer battery life when displaying darker content.
On iPhones, OLED displays often support high dynamic range (HDR) content, wider color gamuts, and smoother transitions. That makes a difference for watching movies, editing photos, or just enjoying a bright, crisp home screen. Not every iPhone gets OLED, though - Apple has reserved this upgrade for its higher-end models, especially in recent years.
The First OLED iPhone: iPhone X
The iPhone X, launched in late 2017, was the very first Apple phone to feature an OLED panel. Apple called it the "Super Retina" display, measuring 5.8 inches with a resolution of 2436 x 1125 pixels. The iPhone X’s screen marked a huge jump in quality over the previous LCD iPhones, with richer colors and that striking, near-bezel-free look.
Many people immediately noticed how dark the blacks were, especially compared to the iPhone 8 and earlier models. The iPhone X set the standard for subsequent premium iPhones, and its OLED screen remains one of the primary reasons people still seek it out as a used device.
OLED Expansion: iPhone XS, XS Max, and Later Models
After the iPhone X, Apple expanded OLED screens to the iPhone XS (5.8-inch) and XS Max (6.5-inch) in 2018. Both phones continued the Super Retina branding, and the larger XS Max offered an even bigger canvas for the same stunning display tech. Alongside them, the iPhone XR launched with an LCD, making a clear distinction between Apple's affordable and premium lines.
Since then, every flagship "Pro" and top-tier iPhone has used OLED. The iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max, introduced in 2019, brought the "Super Retina XDR" name, with improvements in brightness and HDR support. At this point, OLED had become the default for Apple’s best iPhones, and the gap between LCD and OLED models became more pronounced.
Standard vs Pro: When Did Regular iPhones Get OLED Screens?
For several years, only "Pro" branded iPhones used OLED screens, while the "regular" models (like the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12) stuck with LCD or what Apple calls "Liquid Retina" displays. That changed in 2020, when the iPhone 12 lineup switched the regular, non-Pro model to OLED as well. The iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max all shipped with Super Retina XDR OLED screens.
Since then, every iPhone in the main numbered series - whether Pro or not - has come with an OLED display. That includes the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 lineups. The only current exceptions are the iPhone SE and any older or budget-focused models Apple continues to sell.
2025 iPhones and OLED: What’s the Latest?
As of 2025, all newly released flagship iPhones use OLED screens. This covers the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max, as well as any new iPhone 16 models introduced this year. Apple has further improved brightness and color accuracy, with Pro models supporting even more advanced display features such as ProMotion (120Hz refresh rate) and always-on display options.
The only iPhones without OLED in Apple’s 2025 lineup are the iPhone SE series and possibly some older models sold as budget options. The trend makes it clear: if you buy a current-gen iPhone (excluding SE), you’re getting an OLED screen.
How to Tell If Your iPhone Has an OLED Screen
The quickest way to check if your iPhone has OLED is to look up the model. If it’s an iPhone X, XS, XS Max, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, any iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16 (regular or Pro), it’s OLED. iPhone XR, iPhone 11 (non-Pro), and any SE models use LCD.
You can also test the screen visually. OLED panels show true black by turning off pixels, so displaying a pure black image in a dark room means the screen looks completely off. On an LCD, blacks will appear slightly gray or glow in the dark. There are also third-party apps and specialized test images to help you spot the difference, but the easiest method is just to compare your device model.
Full List: Every iPhone with an OLED Screen (2025 Edition)
- iPhone X
- iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max
- iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 series (all models, if released)
If your iPhone isn’t on this list, it uses an LCD (Liquid Retina) display. The SE models and older, non-Pro devices are the main exceptions.
Frequently asked questions
Do iPhone SE models have OLED screens?
No, all iPhone SE models use LCD displays, not OLED.
Is there a difference between Super Retina and Super Retina XDR?
Yes. Super Retina is Apple's marketing term for its first OLED displays. Super Retina XDR adds higher brightness, better HDR, and improved contrast, mainly found on Pro models.
Are OLED screens more prone to burn-in on iPhones?
Burn-in is rare, but possible with persistent static images over very long periods. Apple designs its iOS interface to reduce risk, so most users never notice burn-in on their iPhone OLED screens.
How can I know for sure if my iPhone screen is OLED?
Check your model number in Settings > General > About, then compare it to the list above. All iPhone X and later (except XR, 11, and SE) use OLED.