Apple May Adopt Hybrid OLED Technology Allowing for Thinner iPads by 2024

[MacRumors]

Apple could adopt a "hybrid" OLED technology in iPads by 2024 that could allow for slimmer devices while lowering production costs, according to a new report out today (via DigiTimes).

By combining rigid OLED glass substrates with flexible OLED thin-film encapsulation, the hybrid OLED technology is said to make OLED panels thinner than rigid OLED panels. The process also reportedly incurs lower production costs than flexible OLED panels because it doesn't require a backlighting layer.

Reference to the hybrid OLED technology first appeared in an August report from Korean outlet The Elec, which also said Apple could adopt it in iPads by 2024. However, that report claimed Apple preferred hybrid OLED over the flexible OLED panels it uses in its iPhone models because the flexible panels have a tendency to visibly "crumple," especially at larger screen sizes.

The return of the rumor appears in the context of a report claiming Apple has brought another manufacturing partner into its supply chain that will likely be involved in upcoming refreshes to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and MacBook Pro.

Taiwan Surface Mounting Technology (Taiwan SMT) will undertake SMT process for mini LED backlighting of 12.9-inch iPad Pro and MacBook Pro, becoming an Apple supply chain maker for the first time, according to industry sources.

The report claims that Apple has contributed financially to Taiwan SMT's efforts to expand its production capacity, with some equipment dedicated to the SMT process for mini-LED backlighting, which is more difficult to achieve than standard LED backlighting since the former involves the use of more mini-LED chips.

Currently the only Apple devices that use mini-LED are the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. All three devices are expected to be refreshed with M2 chips before the end of the year.

Apple is expected to continue to use the mini-LED backlighting technology until the hybrid OLED technology has matured and is ready for commercialization, which is unlikely to happen before 2024, according to the report.

Article Link: Apple May Adopt Hybrid OLED Technology Allowing for Thinner iPads by 2024

 

[DMG35]

The iPad is thin enough. Give me a landscape camera and then we can talk.

 

[alphaswift]

The iPad is thin enough. Replace the saved space with more battery.

 

[krspkbl]

just give us any kind of oled so we can get rid of these awful mini led ones.

 

[kiranmk2]

By combining rigid OLED glass substrates with flexible OLED thin-film encapsulation, the hybrid OLED technology is said to make OLED panels thinner than rigid OLED panels. The process also reportedly incurs lower production costs than flexible OLED panels because it doesn't require a backlighting layer.

Um, no OLED needs a backlighting layer as it is self-emissive...

 

[senttoschool]

If workers are still WFH, this will be delayed to 2026.

 

[nt5672]

So we'll be back to bendgate. Just Wow!

 

[vyspirit]

If it is thinner, hopefully Apple will make the frame more solid.

 

[RickDEGH]

Thinner iPads, wanted no one.

 

[MiloCody]

I want a thinner iPad Pro.

 

[rileyes]

If workers are still WFH, this will be delayed to 2026.

No, it will be 2026 because Tim Cook always find a way to stretch minor advancements across multiple product release cycles.

 

[Helmlein]

Maybe this will win back the lost son Jony I. ...

H.

 

[jayryco]

No, as per Tim Cooks mentality towards what features to implement based on what Apple customers are asking for and desire (we looking at you RCS), I can definitely say I DO NOT want thinner iPads no matter which model we speaking about here - however I do desire better screen technology for the iPads and that is very much welcome.

 

[anthorumor]

Since Apple touts the iPads as computer replacements what we would like are more ports and a proper desktop experience since that's what multiple monitor and stage manager are supposed to do.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

So we'll be back to bendgate. Just Wow!

The iPad is already dangerously thin. Take an iPad Air 5 and lightly press on the back of it. You’ll see the screen deform.

The chassis should be strengthened before we get any thinner.

 

[Pezimak]

I don't think anyone has said the iPad today is too thick. What this could do though is allow slightly bigger batteries.
As it is with the iPad you need to be a bit careful with it as it can bend with little effort.

 

[zilchfox]

I don’t think the iPad needs to be any thinner, however more space for battery would be welcome.

 

[geordie8t1]

Apple could adopt a "hybrid" OLED technology in iPads by 2024 that could allow for slimmer devices while lowering production costs, according to a new report out today (via DigiTimes).

By combining rigid OLED glass substrates with flexible OLED thin-film encapsulation, the hybrid OLED technology is said to make OLED panels thinner than rigid OLED panels. The process also reportedly incurs lower production costs than flexible OLED panels because it doesn't require a backlighting layer.

Reference to the hybrid OLED technology first appeared in an August report from Korean outlet The Elec, which also said Apple could adopt it in iPads by 2024. However, that report claimed Apple preferred hybrid OLED over the flexible OLED panels it uses in its iPhone models because the flexible panels have a tendency to visibly "crumple," especially at larger screen sizes.

The return of the rumor appears in the context of a report claiming Apple has brought another manufacturing partner into its supply chain that will likely be involved in upcoming refreshes to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and MacBook Pro.
The report claims that Apple has contributed financially to Taiwan SMT's efforts to expand its production capacity, with some equipment dedicated to the SMT process for mini-LED backlighting, which is more difficult to achieve than standard LED backlighting since the former involves the use of more mini-LED chips.

Currently the only Apple devices that use mini-LED are the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. All three devices are expected to be refreshed with M2 chips before the end of the year.

Apple is expected to continue to use the mini-LED backlighting technology until the hybrid OLED technology has matured and is ready for commercialization, which is unlikely to happen before 2024, according to the report.

Article Link: Apple May Adopt Hybrid OLED Technology Allowing for Thinner iPads by 2024

thinner ipads are NOT needed, the device is already super slim like most tablets from any vendor nowadays, how about better batteries?
and it would be even more fantastic if apple passed on those savings to the customer for a change, yet no doubt they would still cite production costs and global financial constraints to justify a price hike no doubt

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

The iPad is already dangerously thin. Take an iPad Air 5 and lightly press on the back of it. You’ll see the screen deform.

The chassis should be strengthened before we get any thinner.

I would argue it’s just a cheaper display panel/build quality

 

[Wags]

Anything like this probably has more to do about cost savings than thinness. We don’t want them to raise the price and no way Apple absorbs cost for next best display.

 

[jmgregory1]

With the iPad Pro’s, in particular, moving to a thinner screen will likely enable more room for batteries, as it’s one thing that the iPP’s do not do great with. At the same time, if Apple could make the Magic Keyboard thinner and lighter, or the opposite and develop a version that the keyboard section is as thick as the iPP, adding in additional batteries to help prolong the usable hours when you are using it in ”laptop” mode, that would be fantastic.

 

[WWPD]

This made Jony Ive's ears perk up, get ready for a triumphant return to Apple and new levels of thinness never before achieved in an iPad.

 

[Apple_Gabe]

OLED's become a relatively older technology with some companies moving onto micro-led now. Apple's taking their time implementing OLED Panels into iPads and MacBooks. Really should have been implemented throughout the whole product line by now imo.

 

[dominiongamma]

No, it will be 2026 because Tim Cook always find a way to stretch minor advancements across multiple product release cycles.

Yet people keep buying

 

[bLackjackj]

If workers are still WFH, this will be delayed to 2026.

Wrong way around,..it will be delayed if workers have to waste their time commuting to the office.