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Apple is apparently planning the next major technological leap in its displays. In the coming years, several well-known Apple products are expected to switch from LCD to OLED displays. Various industry reports indicate that Apple is preparing for this transition well in advance and is following a clear timeline. The focus is on devices that currently still use traditional display technology.
OLED is no longer a new technology for Apple. Current iPhones, the Apple Watch, and the iPad Pro already rely entirely on OLED displays. The Apple Vision Pro also uses a particularly high-quality variant called Micro-OLED. Nevertheless, several Apple devices are still being sold with LCD displays. According to several well-connected sources, Apple plans to close this gap between 2026 and 2028.
Reports from the supply chain and industry insiders
According to information from the industry publication DigiTimes, Apple plans to equip the iPad mini, MacBook Pro, iPad Air, iMac, and MacBook Air with OLED displays in the coming years. The transition is expected to be gradual and will extend over several product generations.
Mark Gurman of Bloomberg has also commented on Apple's display plans on several occasions. He believes the iPad mini and MacBook Pro could switch to OLED earlier than other devices. At the same time, he expects the MacBook Air to receive this technology significantly later.
Chronological classification of the individual devices
The earliest year currently cited for the iPad mini to switch to an OLED display is 2026. The situation is somewhat more open for the MacBook Pro, with an expected introduction in late 2026 or sometime in 2027.
The timeline for the iPad Air is more conservative. While a new model is expected to be released this year, according to Mark Gurman, it will still use an LCD display. Only the following iPad Air will be equipped with an OLED display, meaning a market launch no earlier than 2027.
There are also concrete indications regarding the iMac. The South Korean tech publication The Elec recently reported that Apple is working on a 24-inch iMac with an OLED display. Its market launch is expected in 2027 or 2028.
According to current estimates, the MacBook Air will have to wait the longest for an OLED display. Mark Gurman doesn't expect a corresponding model before 2028.
Why Apple relies on OLED
OLED displays offer noticeably better image quality compared to LCD displays. Colors appear more vibrant, contrasts are significantly higher, and black is truly black because individual pixels can be completely switched off. This difference is particularly noticeable with media content and dark user interfaces.
For Apple, the switch to OLED also makes strategic sense. Since the iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad Pro already rely entirely on OLED, extending the technology to other devices ensures a more consistent technological standard across the entire product portfolio.
Apple plans a gradual transition to OLED
Apple is pursuing a clear and long-term strategy in its transition to OLED displays. Between 2026 and 2028, five more key product lines are slated to benefit from this more advanced display technology. While the transition will take varying amounts of time depending on the device, current reports clearly indicate that OLED is becoming the next logical standard for Apple. This demonstrates Apple's consistent focus on improved image quality and a gradual modernization of its entire hardware portfolio. The best products for you: Our Amazon storefront offers a wide selection of accessories, including those compatible with HomeKit. (Image: Shutterstock / Atiwat Witthayanurut)
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