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The iPad Air is expected to switch to OLED displays in both sizes in the first half of 2027. A new supply chain report details production numbers and shows how much Samsung Display could benefit from the iPad lineup's transformation. The figures for the iPad Pro, however, are sobering.
According to a DigiTimes report from November 10th, Apple plans to replace the LCD screens of both iPad Air sizes with OLED displays in the first half of 2027. The Taiwanese industry publication relies on sources within the supply chain and is considered well-connected, but its timelines and production figures are not always accurate.
The timeframe aligns with Mark Gurman's recent report: the iPad Air, iPad Pro, and entry-level iPad are expected to launch in the first half of 2027. The DigiTimes report adds expected shipments for 2027.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The iPad Air is expected to get an OLED display in both sizes in the first half of 2027.
- The industry expects 4 to 5 million OLED iPad Airs to be shipped in 2027.
- Samsung Display is expected to supply the majority of the panels and could thus become the largest supplier of OLED iPads.
- The OLED iPad Air will remain at 60 Hz, while ProMotion will be reserved for the iPad Pro.
- Only 3 to 4 million iPad Pro units are expected to be sold in 2027.
Simpler OLED display than in the iPad Pro
The iPad Air is expected to have the same OLED design as the iPad mini: a single light-emitting layer on an LTPS back panel. The iPad Pro, on the other hand, uses two stacked light-emitting layers and, according to reports, an LTPO back panel that allows for variable refresh rates.
This leads to the most important difference for buyers: The OLED iPad Air will continue to operate at 60 Hz. ProMotion with up to 120 Hz will therefore remain exclusive to the iPad Pro. DigiTimes had previously reported this same division.
The iPad Air would be the third iPad series with OLED displays, following the iPad Pro and the iPad mini with A20 Pro, which has been available since November 6th. That would leave only the entry-level iPad with LCD.
Samsung is expected to supply the majority
Samsung Display is expected to supply the majority of the panels for the iPad Air. With orders for the iPad Air and iPad mini, Samsung could become the largest supplier of OLED panels for iPads overall. LG Display is expected to remain the leading supplier for the iPad Pro.
BOE is seeking contracts for one of the two sizes but has not yet completed the qualification process with Apple. It was already known in August that the Chinese manufacturer intends to become the second supplier for the OLED iPad Air. According to DigiTimes, this only concerns one of the two display sizes.
The production figures for 2027
DigiTimes cites industry estimates for shipments in 2027:
| Model | Expected deliveries 2027 | Display |
|---|---|---|
| iPad Air (both sizes) | 4 to 5 million | OLED, a luminescent layer, 60 Hz |
| iPad mini | 4 to 5 million | OLED, a light-emitting layer |
| iPad Pro (both sizes) | 3 to 4 million | OLED, two light-emitting layers, ProMotion |
The expected sales of the iPad Pro are therefore significantly below the target of around 10 million units per year that was set before the OLED model's market launch. Industry sources cite the price as one reason for the weaker demand.
This aligns with an analysis from market research firm Omdia from September. According to their findings, demand for the OLED iPad Pro is approximately 37 percent below target, based on a planned production of around seven million panels for 2026. The two figures have different reference points: Omdia compares to this year's panel planning, while DigiTimes compares to the original annual target before launch. The trend, however, is the same in both cases.
Why Apple uses the cheaper OLED display in the iPad Air
The figures align with the iPad Air's more affordable design: The expensive tandem OLED display of the iPad Pro failed to achieve the anticipated sales figures, while the iPad Air, like the iPad mini, uses a single light-emitting layer. Estimates suggest that the iPad Air and iPad mini combined will reach 8 to 10 million units by 2027, at least twice as many as the iPad Pro.
I expect the gap between the iPad Air and iPad Pro to narrow with the switch to OLED, more so than it appears on paper. Contrast and black levels will converge, with ProMotion remaining the primary differentiator. For now, this report doesn't change anything regarding the choice between the current iPad models: the OLED model isn't expected until the first half of 2027 at the earliest.
Would an OLED display be reason enough for you to wait until 2027 to buy an iPad Air – or is ProMotion, which will continue to be exclusive to the iPad Pro, more important to you? Let us know in the comments what you're looking for in the next iPad.
