An apparatus and method for distinguishing a panel of a display device is provided. A driver Integrated Circuit (IC) of the display device includes a plurality of pins that are electrically connected differently according to a type of the panel, and an output pin for outputting an output signal indicating a type of the panel according to an electric connection between the plurality of pins. A controller determines a type of the panel depending on the output signal provided from the driver IC, and applies a control signal corresponding to the determined type of the panel to the driver IC.