Apple is reportedly preparing to introduce OLED displays to its iPad Air, iPad mini, and MacBook Air devices, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The company is said to be testing prototypes of each product featuring the upgraded screens. This marks a major shift from the LCD technology currently used in these models. At present, only the iPhone and iPad Pro range feature OLED panels.
The adoption of OLED is expected to deliver richer blacks, higher contrast, and improved overall image quality — benefits that could make these devices more appealing for entertainment and creative work. However, OLED panels are more expensive to produce than LCDs, potentially resulting in higher retail prices for upcoming models.
Launch timeline and potential price increase
Industry sources suggest that the iPad mini will likely be the first to gain the new technology, possibly launching next year under the codename J510. The OLED version could cost up to US$100 more, reflecting both the premium display and a redesigned, water-resistant body.
Following this, Apple is expected to bring OLED to the iPad Air and MacBook Air, with the latter possibly arriving as late as 2028. Both Mark Gurman and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently predicted that Apple may also launch a MacBook Pro with an OLED touchscreen in late 2026 or early 2027 — a notable shift considering Steve Jobs’s long-held aversion to touchscreens on laptops. Whether the MacBook Air will adopt touch capability remains unclear.
Performance advantages and remaining challenges
OLED displays offer several advantages over traditional LCDs. They do not require a backlight, making them lighter and more energy-efficient — key factors for portable devices such as tablets and laptops. They also produce deeper blacks and better contrast ratios.
However, OLED technology is generally less bright than Mini-LED, the display type currently used in MacBook Pro models. Mini-LED panels can achieve higher brightness levels but fall short of OLED’s superior contrast performance.
While these reports suggest an ambitious display overhaul, Apple’s plans remain unconfirmed and could still change before any official product announcements.
