Apple to Bring OLED to iPad Air by Early 2027
Reports from Korea's ET News, citing industry sources, state that Apple plans to transition the iPad Air from LCD to OLED displays. This would mark the second model in Apple's tablet lineup to adopt the technology, following the iPad Pro.
Production and Release Timeline
According to the report, Samsung Display is expected to begin mass production of the OLED panels around the end of 2026 or January 2027. These panels are intended for a new iPad Air model projected for release in early 2027.
The current iPad Air, which features an LCD display, was last updated in March 2026 with an M4 chip.
Technical Specifications
- Panel Type: The upcoming iPad Air is expected to use single-stack low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) OLED panels.
- Comparison to iPad Pro: This panel differs from the two-stack low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) OLED panels used in the iPad Pro models.
- Expected Impact: The single-stack LTPS configuration may result in lower brightness compared to the iPad Pro's display. These panels are not reported to support ProMotion technology, which allows for a 120Hz refresh rate.
Display Technology Context
Current iPad Air models use Liquid Retina LCD displays, which are limited to a 60Hz refresh rate and do not support ProMotion. OLED technology controls each pixel individually, which can provide more precise color reproduction, deeper blacks, higher contrast ratios, faster response times, and wider viewing angles compared to LCD technology.
Wider Product Line Implications
If these upgrades proceed, the entry-level iPad would be the only model in Apple's tablet lineup without an OLED display.
- iPad Mini: Reports suggest the iPad mini 8, expected later this year, will also adopt an OLED display using a single-stack LTPS panel.
- Entry-Level iPad: Will remain the sole tablet model without OLED.
- Other Apple Products: All current iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad Pro models sold by Apple use OLED displays.