Apple plans to upgrade several iPads and Macs with OLED displays over the next three years, according to a new DigiTimes report.
The following five devices will receive OLED displays between 2026 and 2029, according to the Taiwanese publication’s industry sources:
- iPadmini: 2026
- MacBook Pro: End of 2026 or beginning of 2027
- iPad Air: 2027
- iMac: 2028 or 2029
- MacBook Air: 2028 or 2029
OLED displays have better overall picture quality compared to LCD displays, thanks to richer colors and a higher contrast ratio with true blacks.
All current iPhone, Apple Watch and iPad Pro models already have OLED displays.
While the iPad Pro features so-called “Tandem OLED” technology that uses two OLED panels for increased brightness and supports ProMotion for up to a 120Hz refresh rate, the report states that the iPad Air will have a single-stack OLED display and an LTPS backplane, meaning it will have lower brightness and a 60Hz refresh rate. These limitations would make sense given that the iPad Air’s price is several hundred dollars less than the iPad Pro.
It’s unclear if Apple ever plans to release a Studio Display XDR with an OLED screen. The monitor currently has a mini-LED backlight.
The entry-level iPad and MacBook Neo are expected to stick to LCD screens.
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