OLED iPad Mini and iPad Air Could Follow 2024's iPad Pro

[MacRumors]

Apple is considering bringing OLED displays to the iPad mini and iPad Air from 2026, according to a report from technology research firm Omdia.

In a detailed report forecasting Apple's iPad panel purchasing plans published earlier today, Omdia explains that 2024 will mark the beginning of a transition to OLED in its tablet lineup. The potential transition to OLED on Apple's two mid-range tablets is apparently part of its OLED strategy from 2026 onwards.

Apple has ostensibly not yet committed to bringing the more advanced display technology to its mid-range tablets, and may be planning to review how the market responds to the first iPad Pro models that feature OLED displays, which are expected to launch next year, before locking in new display panels for the iPad mini and iPad Air.

The report also corroborates details about the rumored iPad Pro models with OLED displays that are widely expected to launch next year, with the panels due to be supplied by LG and Samsung. Apple is said to currently be seeking more suppliers for OLED displays designed for the iPad.

The next-generation iPad Pro is expected to launch in 2024 and be the first major update to the product since 2018, introducing "fundamental changes" that include larger OLED displays, the M3 chip, and support for a completely redesigned Magic Keyboard accessory.

Omdia added that after the 11th-generation iPad launches, Apple may "gradually migrate from 10.2-inch iPads to 10.9-inch iPads," suggesting that the ninth-generation model will be discontinued.

Article Link: OLED iPad Mini and iPad Air Could Follow 2024's iPad Pro

 

[N0ughtsAndCr0sses]

Another long overdue update

 

[AppleTO]

I mean… I’m sure Apple considers lots of things… lol

 

[metalsiren]

have a m1 IPP this is what I am waiting for. I also have a Tab S9 Ultra and I prefer the display compared to the M1 or M2.

 

[Wags]

Another long overdue update

Apple bread crumbs. Not a design delay. They’ll update when best suits their financial or marketing needs.

 

[CC77]

Rip the bandaid off and streamline this lineup. It's a mess. My vote would be a Base/Air (2 sizes, ~9"/~11"), and Pro (2 sizes, ~11"/~13"). Same pencil for all.

 

[bryo]

Picked up a 9th gen. I like to use the iPad like a glorified iPod touch, so missing the headphone jack would be disappointing as I use my beyerdynamic cans with Apple Music quite often. Seems we are finally shifting away from the old 2010’s designs across the product lines. Good time to pickup the old stuff for cheap.

 

[now i see it]

There’s zero reason to put a flickering OLED screen in an iPad. Goodbye iPad

 

[840quadra]

Would actually upgrade my mini 6 if this is the case. Would like faster refresh and OLED color profiles similar to what my phones produce for photo / video editing.

I understand passing pot shots people take at the Mini with lack of lack of pro motion, and Jelly Scrolling, however neither are really that big of an issue in my use case. Especially since I see Jelly effect on most of my LCD devices, including the original MacBook Pro M1 when swiping between spaces.

Until just recently with the iPhone 15 Pro, it was the only pocketable device that had USB-C and could directly connect to my Canon mirrorless cameras, and pull down data at a reasonable speed to edit in the field. I skipped the Pro Max because I still use my Mini 6, but still would love to see that device get a bump in speed + screen technology.

 

[azentropy]

We need more Pro mini devices (iPhone mini Pro, iPad mini Pro) to go with he Mac mini Pro!

 

[muasachi]

So, the iPads will switch from Micro-LED to OLED.
And Apple Watches will switch from OLED to Micro-LED.

Why?

 

[MayaUser]

but but they told us OLED for the pro....
There will be no Oled ipads pro...just the air and the mini

 

[Paddle1]

I wonder if PWM will be an issue here.

 

[one more]

So, the iPads will switch from Micro-LED to OLED.
And Apple Watches will switch from OLED to Micro-LED.

Why?

Recent 12.9” iPad Pros were using a mini-LED screen tech, a micro-LED is way better, yet also much more expensive.

 

[MayaUser]

So, the iPads will switch from Micro-LED to OLED.
And Apple Watches will switch from OLED to Micro-LED.

Why?

its just a rumour ...and oled will come just for the ipad air/mini
The ipad pro next step in display will be micro-Led

 

[Ceecephous]

2026? Far too late. Make it next year

 

[BB8]

2026? Far too late. Make it next year

seriously

why does it take until 2026 to get an OLED mini? the panels for these devices already exist. apple needs to quit this ridiculous segmentation game.

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

Just give me 14” OLED iPad Pro 💴

 

[AppleFanBoyForever]

So, the iPads will switch from Micro-LED to OLED.
And Apple Watches will switch from OLED to Micro-LED.

Why?

Exactly. None of this sounds real. I thought mini led was the future screen for the iPhone as well. And after that micro led.

 

[bryo]

Exactly. None of this sounds real. I thought mini led was the future screen for the iPhone as well. And after that micro led.

Mini led and micro led are 2 different things.

Mini led use a grid of backlights and often have some light bloom. with micro led, each pixel is self emissive like an oled screen.

 

[Populus]

I prefer IPS LCD screens, they are more comfortable to my eyes than OLED. That’s why I decided to buy an M2 iPad Pro. However, I bought a 128GB model… maybe I should’ve bought a 256GB one at least, if I want to future-proof my purchase.

 

[Mr. Dee]

There is just too many varieties of iPads available. Apple needs to cut it down to the following:

iPad Mini - reading books, easy to carry around, note taking, watching videos
iPad SE - 9.7 with Touch ID - this is a basic entry level device that has updated internals such as the latest A series chip. Its sufficient for most people who just use it as a consumption device especially for businesses that would like roll out to a lot of employees and don't want to spend on a fancy model.

iPad Air 11 and 12.9 - For more users who require a little bit more power and usually split work between a Mac. Great for college students, artists, casual users who want something nice but not too expensive.

iPad Pro 12.9 and 14.1 - For power users who could pretty much use this as a replacement for a Mac. That depends on iPadOS.

 

[smithrh]

Picked up a 9th gen. I like to use the iPad like a glorified iPod touch, so missing the headphone jack would be disappointing as I use my beyerdynamic cans with Apple Music quite often.

Use an external DAC - they're better than what's been on board and what's in the audio adapter.

 

[thegerman]

I think the transition to OLED will be fire for the customer! So fire it will simply burn in though 🔥
Please stay with LCD or mini-led

 

[Tagbert]

Exactly. None of this sounds real. I thought mini led was the future screen for the iPhone as well. And after that micro led.

Mini-LED is the current screen tech. It is an LCD screen with an LED backlight where the backlight LED brightness can be adjusted for small groups of pixels.

OLED is organic LED where each pixel is a group of RGB LEDs. It has some benefits over min-LED (crisper brightness control) and downsides (lower brightness and risk of burn-in). Some people are bothered by the PWM flicker used to dim OLEDs. It’s basically a different mix of strengths and weaknesses but many people seem to want the per-pixel brightness control of OLEDs rather than the brightness by group of pixels from Mini-LED.

Micro-LED is not yet available on smaller devices like iPads, laptops, phones, and Watches. It uses non-organic LEDs where each pixel is a group of RGB LEDs. It seems that it has better efficiency, brightness, and burn-in resistance than OLED. We don’t know yet if it used PWM for dimming.