This is when Apple might launch the first iPad Air model with an OLED display
Apple’s iPad Air will reportedly get an OLED display, making it the second tablet in the company’s lineup to feature the improved display tech instead of the company’s Liquid Retina IPS LCD panels. The company is also said to have selected a vendor for the displays on its upgraded iPad Air models. Earlier this year, Apple introduced the iPad Pro (2024) with a new Tandem OLED technology and a slim design, while the iPad Air (2024), which also arrived in two display sizes, features an LCD panel.
iPad Air OLED model could launch in 2026
According to an Apple press release, Apple will launch an improved iPad Air with an OLED display “as early as 2026.” report (in Korean) by The Elec. The iPhone maker is also expected to launch an upgraded version of the iPad Mini with an OLED display later this year, which currently has an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD screen.
The latest iPad Pro (2024) model, launched in May, features an advanced Tandem OLED display that delivers higher brightness, better color reproduction, and lower power consumption, while enabling a slimmer form factor.
The intended OLED model of the iPad Air, on the other hand, will not feature the same display technology, allowing the company to keep the device’s production costs and retail price lower than the iPad Pro model.
Samsung could supply panels for iPad Air OLED model
The Cupertino company has tapped Samsung Display to supply the OLED panels for these iPad Air models, as Samsung Display can produce the displays (on its A3 line) in larger quantities than South Korean rival LG Display (on its E6 lines), the report found.
The alleged iPad Air OLED model could come in two screen sizes, just like this year’s iPad Air (2024) that launched in 11-inch (2,360 x 1,640 pixels) and 13-inch (2,732 x 2,048 pixels) variants, along with Apple’s M2 chipset. The tablet will have a 12-megapixel camera on the rear and front for photos and video calling respectively. It comes with a USB Type-C port that supports 20W charging when connected to a compatible charger.
