Apple’s OLED Expansion: A Strategic Shift for iPads and MacBooks by 2027. Apple is setting its sights on a significant expansion of OLED technology across its iPad and MacBook lines. A recent report from ET News indicates that Apple plans to introduce OLED displays to nine of its devices by 2027, marking a notable transition in the company’s display technology strategy.
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The journey begins with the iPad Pro models, which are slated to feature OLED displays next year. This move is expected to enhance the visual experience with higher brightness, better contrast ratios, and more accurate colors. Following this, Apple plans to extend OLED technology to the iPad mini and iPad Air in 2026. The iPad Air will maintain its 10.9-inch display, while the iPad mini’s screen will see a modest increase from 8.3 to 8.7 inches.
In 2027, Apple intends to further innovate with the introduction of a 12.9-inch iPad Air model, rumored to initially debut with an LCD display. This model will eventually transition to an OLED screen, staying in line with Apple’s broader OLED adoption plan.
The company is looking to utilize different types of OLED panels for its various models. The iPad Pro is expected to feature a low-temperature polycrystalline oxide (LTPO) panel, which supports ProMotion technology for refresh rates up to 120Hz. In contrast, the iPad mini and iPad Air are likely to use a single-stack low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) panel.
Apple’s push towards OLED is not just about enhanced display quality; it’s also about energy efficiency. In 2027, the iPad Pro’s OLED panels are expected to be updated with Color Filter on Encapsulation (CoE) technology, improving light efficiency and potentially reducing power consumption by about 20%. This advancement might also pave the way for under-display camera technology in iPads.
The shift to OLED will also impact Apple’s MacBook line. The 16-inch MacBook Pro is set to adopt OLED technology in 2025, followed by the 14-inch model in 2026. Additionally, both the 13- and 15-inch MacBook Air models are expected to transition from LCD to OLED displays in 2026.
OLED panels offer advantages over traditional LCDs, including being thinner and lighter, which is particularly beneficial for portable devices like iPads. Apple’s adoption of OLED displays, already prevalent in its iPhone and Apple Watch models (excluding the iPhone SE), represents a strategic move towards unifying its display technology across products, enhancing user experience, and maintaining its position as a leader in tech innovation.
