The rumored iPad Air with an OLED display might be further off than anticipated. Reports suggest LG Display, a key Apple supplier, is shifting its OLED production focus from iPads to iPhones due to sluggish iPad Pro sales. This shift could potentially delay the launch of the OLED-equipped iPad Air.
According to sources cited by The Elec and MacRumors, LG Display plans to maintain its current iPad OLED inventory until the end of February, pending Apple’s approval to transition production to OLED iPhone panels. This move signifies a response to the weaker-than-expected demand for the iPad Pro, which already boasts an OLED display.
Industry analysts at Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) initially predicted an OLED iPad Air launch in 2026. However, with the current market trends, that timeline might be pushed back to 2027. Interestingly, the forecast for the first OLED MacBook Pro remains unchanged, with an expected arrival in 2026.
Apple refreshed its iPad Pro and iPad Air lines in early 2024. The 2024 iPad Air lineup includes both 11-inch and a new 13-inch model, both featuring Liquid Retina LCD displays. Meanwhile, the 2024 iPad Pro models sport the more advanced Ultra Retina XDR display with OLED technology. This difference in display technology contributes to the price disparity between the two lines.
Current iPhones, including the flagship iPhone 16 Pro, already utilize OLED displays.
OLED technology offers several advantages over traditional LCDs. These include deeper blacks, an infinite contrast ratio, and a wider color gamut, resulting in a richer, more vibrant viewing experience. The superior image quality of OLEDs is a significant selling point for many consumers.
However, the higher production cost of OLEDs compared to LCDs is a significant factor. This price difference likely contributes to the lower-than-anticipated sales of the iPad Pro and could influence Apple’s decision to delay the introduction of an OLED iPad Air.
