The iPad mini may receive an OLED display in its next iteration.
Apple may make significant upgrades to the iPads, iPad Air, and MacBook Air if a recently surfaced road map is accurate, also planning to transition the designs to OLED displays by 2026.
As part of a deliberate strategy, Apple has gradually incorporated OLED technology into its product lineup, but so far, it has only utilized this expertise in its high-end products. While production of additional OLED products is expected in the long run, the timeline for this development remains uncertain.
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According to a roadmap sourced from Omdia and shared by Twitter user @Jukanlosreve, upcoming Apple developments are expected to focus on OLED technology.
By 2026, a notable upgrade is anticipated, as depicted on the chart, which reveals that the iPad mini will boast an 8.4-inch rounded-edge hybrid OLED display. Recognized for its single RGB layer rather than the tandem approach in the iPad Pro, this display also utilizes an LTPS TFT technology.
Within the next 12 months, predictions indicate that the line will shift to a hybrid OLED tandem display featuring an oxide thin-film transistor (TFT). The displays are noted to have marginally increased in size, measuring 14.3 inches and 16.3 inches, a slight upsize from the previous dimensions of 14.2 and 16.2 inches.
By 2027, it’s anticipated that the company will release its own 11-inch and 13-inch hybrid OLED displays, boasting a single RGB layer and Low-Temperature PolySilicon (LTPS) technology.
By 2028, the schedule outlines various exercise possibilities, while the iPad Professional range will continue to utilize 11-inch and 13-inch hybrid OLED Tandem displays featuring LTPO TFT, TSP on TFE (Contact Sensor Panel on Thin Film Encapsulation), and a Polarizer-less design.
Concurrently, the technology will employ slightly larger 13.8-inch and 15.5-inch hybrid OLED displays, featuring LTPO or oxide TFT technology, along with TSP on TFE.
The purported foldable device for 2028 is expected to boast an innovative 18.8-inch foldable tandem OLED display, incorporating LTPO TFT technology, TSP (thin-film encapsulation) on TFE (thermoplastic film), and the absence of a polarizer.
Fairly believable
The source of the leak does not originate directly with Apple or its primary suppliers. The uncertainty surrounding Omdia’s credentials raises questions about the reliability of their predicted schedule, potentially leading to ambiguity in decision-making processes. It appears that the analysts who developed this model based their findings on a thorough examination of the supply chain and various factors, making this prediction a well-informed estimate.
Notwithstanding, this appears to be a well-informed conjecture aligning with prevailing viewpoints. Ross Younger, senior focus expert at DSCC, concurred with the proposed roadmap’s vision for television programming during the discussion.
During his presentation at the OLEDs World Summit, Younger revealed that he had introduced a new concept the previous day. Notably, he made a key distinction in his model by predicting that the upcoming MacBook Air would feature an innovative oxide-based backplane design.
Rumors surrounding the upcoming OLED release have been corroborated by various reports, aligning with previously shared timelines.
According to a November report, the MacBook Air’s OLED display was reportedly pushed back from its previously rumored 2023 release date. It is alleged that Apple has partnered with Samsung to develop a cutting-edge OLED display for the upcoming 2026 release of the iPad mini.
