GoKawiilAs Apple continues its gradual replacement of IPS LCD screens with OLED, it’s been unclear exactly when the iPad Air would join the party. Early reports suggested it might happen this year, while subsequent ones pointed to 2027 or later.
A new supply chain report says that production plans are now in place and we can expect to see the shiny new model launched in the spring of next year, potentially as early as March …
The next OLED iPad we’re expecting is a new version of the iPad mini sometime this year.
Gurman says the iPad mini will likely be first to make the move. Additionally, he reports that Apple is developing a new water-resistant design for the iPad mini.
There’s been much less clarity around an OLED iPad Air, with recent reports saying only that it wouldn’t be any earlier than 2027.
Now ET News reports that Samsung is gearing up to make the OLED display panels for the new model.
According to supply-chain sources, Samsung Display plans to start mass production of OLED for iPad Air at the end of the year or around January next year. Apple is to supply display panels to the next-generation iPad Air, which is scheduled to be released in the first half of next year. The expected launch time of the iPad Air, which the industry expects, is March or May next year.
Don’t expect a cut-price iPad Pro, however. The report says that the display panel Samsung is making will have a lower spec than its more expensive brothers.
9to5Mac’s Take
The existing M4 iPad Air currently occupies almost the exact middle ground between the base model and the iPad Pro. An OLED update pushes it more toward the Pro end of the scale, but I would put money on Apple reserving ProMotion support for its most expensive model. This is the one feature many are unwilling to do without.