2022 OLED iPad Air in Doubt After Apple Turns Down Samsung's Display Panels

[MacRumors]

Apple has called off a joint project with Samsung to use a Samsung-developed OLED display for a forthcoming 10.9-inch iPad Air, according to a new report today from The Elec.

The project was stopped due to either the single stack structure of OLED panel or profitability issues or both, people familiar with the matter said.

Single stack refers to the current widely used OLED panel structure where red, green and blue form one emission layer.

Apple is reportedly not satisfied with the brightness levels of single stack OLED panels and is also wary of the panel's lifespan, since consumers typically hold onto iPads for longer compared to smartphones, which have a more aggressive upgrade cycle.

Instead, Apple wants to use a two-stack tandem structure for its first OLED iPad that stacks two red, green and blue emission layers instead of just one. This doubles the brightness and extends the panel's life by up to four times.

However, Samsung has only commercialized a single stack structure and is either not able or not willing to supply the two-stack technology, according to the report.

Profitability is also said to be a factor in Samsung's unwillingness to provide the technology. Unless Samsung can be sure that the OLED iPad Air will be sold for a long time, preparing for the back-end module process for the products won't be worth the cost.

Most of the rumors that we've heard about an OLED ‌iPad Air‌ suggest that it's coming in 2022. However, now that Samsung isn't involved in development, The Elec suggests the OLED iPad Air will not see the light of day until 2023. A previous report from Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) claimed Apple will release its first OLED iPad in 2023, although no reason was given for the changed production roadmap.

Back in March, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple is expected to start using OLED next year, while DigiTimes has also predicted a 2022 release for an OLED ‌iPad‌, as have sites like ETNews, which rely on supply chain data.

OLED technology is expensive, which is a factor that has thus far limited it to smaller devices like iPhones and Apple Watches. When adopted in the ‌iPad‌, it will bring improved brightness, higher contrast, deeper blacks, and wider viewing angles.

Article Link: 2022 OLED iPad Air in Doubt After Apple Turns Down Samsung's Display Panels

 

[ian87w]

So we will see OLED iPad once Samsung uses the 2-stack panel and demoed it on the next Galaxy Tab... Just like how Apple used LTPO once Samsung demoed it on the Galaxy S21 Ultra.

 

[one more]

Are not Samsung using OLED panels with their own Galaxy Tab tablets line? There are other manufacturers too, so Apple could still shop around, I guess:

List of tablets with OLED displays | OLED Info

OLED technology enables the world's best displays, and as OLEDs can be made flexible, light, thin and highly efficient, these displays are taking over many markets such as smartphones, TVs, VR and wearables. Another field where OLED displays are being adopted is the tablet market.ImageAMOLED...

www.oled-info.com

 

[Serban55]

Are not Samsung using OLED panels with their own Galaxy Tab tablets line? There are other manufacturers too, so Apple could still shop around, I guess:

List of tablets with OLED displays | OLED Info

OLED technology enables the world's best displays, and as OLEDs can be made flexible, light, thin and highly efficient, these displays are taking over many markets such as smartphones, TVs, VR and wearables. Another field where OLED displays are being adopted is the tablet market.ImageAMOLED...

www.oled-info.com

yes, but the blue pixels fades away like crazy after a lot of use after 1 year..and the gamut/brightness are less..
Apple wants their display also to be at least 500 nits, probably even 600 nits since the pro ipads will soon both will be 1000nits (not just the 12.9)

 

[one more]

yes, but the blue pixels fades away like crazy after a lot of use for 1 year..and the gamut/brightness are less..

Well, if it is really so bad, why would not Samsung want to change to that Apple proposed “two-stack tandem structure” for their own offerings? This way both could benefit.

 

[Serban55]

Well, if it is really so bad, why would not Samsung want to change to that Apple proposed “two-stack tandem structure” for their own offerings? This way both could benefit.

they will do it, like Apple ask Samsung for iphone X an oled with 1 mil to 1 contrast ratio...after samsung being in the oled tech for a decade and still didnt come up with that....also Apple was the first to come with the idea of pixels shifting thanks to iOS, to prevent burn-in after samsung had that issue for almost a decade
So, they will do it after Apple. You think Samsung or others will not start use mini-led tech in a lot of devices starting next year ?! mini-led is a pleasure for the prof monitors (not for smartphones) until micro-led can have shrink down pixels

 

[SFjohn]

I will happily replace my 2021 iPad Air for an OLED version whenever it’s released.

 

[The Game 161]

As much as i enjoy mini led i will be happy when the pros move to OLED.

 

[Serban55]

As much as i enjoy mini led i will be happy when the pros move to OLED.

the pros will never go oled...this is about the ipad air, and probably the next ipad mini
After mini-Led the next step is micro-led and not oled

 

[The Game 161]

the pros will never go oled...this is about the ipad air, and probably the next ipad mini
After mini-Led the next step is micro-led and not oled

Nah OLED is expected in 2023 for the pros. Micro LED is a long way off.

 

[Serban55]

Nah OLED is expected in 2023 for the pros. Micro LED is a long way off.

Trust me, there will be no OLED for the pros
Again, maybe for the iPAD air the oled can come next year or in 2023 as you say
Oled was, and is a bridge between 2 long lasting display tech Lcd and microLed
oled is a good tech for a short period of usage displays, like smartphones, smartwatch etc

 

[ian87w]

Are not Samsung using OLED panels with their own Galaxy Tab tablets line? There are other manufacturers too, so Apple could still shop around, I guess:

List of tablets with OLED displays | OLED Info

OLED technology enables the world's best displays, and as OLEDs can be made flexible, light, thin and highly efficient, these displays are taking over many markets such as smartphones, TVs, VR and wearables. Another field where OLED displays are being adopted is the tablet market.ImageAMOLED...

www.oled-info.com

It's about dual-stack panels. Samsung so far only commercializes single stack panel, per the article. Looks like either Samsung is not ready to make dual-stack panels, or they are not capable producing it in volume yet.

 

[The Game 161]

Trust me, there will be no OLED for the pros
Again, maybe for the iPAD air the oled can come next year or in 2023 as you say
Oled was, and is a bridge between 2 long lasting display tech Lcd and microLed
oled is a good tech for a short period of usage displays, like smartphones, smartwatch etc

Display analyst are saying it will happen. Air will get a mild version of OLED while the pros will get a higher quality version which will be more efficient.hell it’s rumoured even the macs will get OLED in 2023-2024

 

[Wildkraut]

Okay I take this news as a „do not buy“ warning.

 

[LFC2020]

No more oled for me, mini led or micro led from now on.

another crap oled panel for me this year. 🤦‍♂️

 

[Stev150]

As much as i enjoy mini led i will be happy when the pros move to OLED.

I hope that’s not the case. OLED has many display issues with tints , banding etc. I’m happy with mini led till the day micro led comes.

 

[LFC2020]

I hope that’s not the case. OLED has many display issues with tints , banding etc. I’m happy with mini led till the day micro led comes.

Same here, won’t go near a OLED iPad, iPhones have been getting worse every year with these so called better OLED panels.

 

[alpi123]

No more oled for me, mini led or micro led from now on.

another crap oled panel for me this year. ?‍♂️

View attachment 1851717 View attachment 1851718 View attachment 1851719

What exactly are we supposed to look at?

 

[LFC2020]

What exactly are we supposed to look at?

Not that hard to work out really, 13 pro max is dimmer than both 11/12 pro max, panel looks worse as well.

Not seeing it?

 

[AJTC]

So another product to potentially avoid if it uses the same PWM implementation as the Samsung panels in iPhones. But it would be great if by not using Samsung panels the PWM implementation could be at a higher rate or even better use DC dimming.

 

[GubbyMan]

Not that hard to work out really, 13 pro max is dimmer than both 11/12 pro max, panel looks worse as well.

Not seeing it?

Dimmer? Just cranking the brightness to max indoors isn't going to show you which one is brighter. Try testing them under sunlight and you'll probably see the 13 is brighter. Also, in what way does the panel look worse? It is really hard to work out what you're referring to from these photos.

 

[Wolf1701]

oled is a good tech for a short period of usage displays, like smartphones, smartwatch etc

Like... TV's? ?

 

[d5aqoëp]

The collaboration was stopped because an OLED iPad Air will eat into iPad Pro sales. It’s pure profits when it comes to Apple. All environment, privacy, equality measures are pure BS.

 

[Juraj22]

"When adopted in the ‌iPad‌, it will bring improved brightness, higher contrast, deeper blacks, and wider viewing angles."

Well, better contrast yes, but we also get color shift depending on angle you look. It was kind of shock to see it first time on iPhone coming from LCD iPhone, warm colors from front, small angle and whole display go to cold-blue tint. Fugly.

 

[Jim Lahey]

Big OLED fan but not sure it’s suitable for a device used for several hours at a time with potentially static UI elements. I know there are mitigation technologies but I’m just not sure OLED is suited to iPad. One thing is certain, I definitely will not be buying the first generation. Had my fingers burned more than once with Apple displays and this has potential burn-gate and vertical-streaked-greyscale-gate written all over it in bold text.