Apple is reportedly planning major display upgrades across its product lineup, with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman revealing that the company is testing OLED screens for the iPad mini, iPad Air, and MacBook Air. The move underscores Apple’s long-term goal of giving customers stronger reasons to upgrade to newer devices.
iPad mini may lead the OLED transition
According to Gurman, the upcoming iPad mini 8 (codename J510) could be the first among these devices to adopt OLED technology. Expected to debut next year, the tablet is rumored to feature a refreshed design that improves water resistance—similar to recent iPhone models.
Apple may also introduce a new speaker system that uses vibration-based audio output, allowing for a seamless exterior without visible speaker holes. This approach differs from the iPhone’s design, which retains traditional speaker grilles despite being water-resistant.
OLED displays deliver richer colors, deeper blacks, and greater contrast than traditional LCD panels. Apple already uses OLED screens across the Apple Watch, iPhone, and the latest iPad Pro models. With the introduction of the iPhone 16e earlier this year, the company officially phased out its last LCD iPhone—the iPhone SE 3.
However, upgrading to OLED will likely raise production costs. The next iPad mini may be about $100 more expensive than the current model due to the pricier panel.
MacBook Air OLED expected in 2028
Gurman’s report suggests that the iPad Air and a new M5-powered MacBook Air could launch next spring, but without OLED displays. Both devices will continue using LCD technology for now, with OLED versions not expected until later iterations. Apple reportedly has no immediate plans to introduce OLED displays to its entry-level iPads.
While OLED screens on tablets are exciting, Gurman notes that laptops may benefit most from the upgrade. A redesigned MacBook Pro with OLED panels is said to be in development, though it likely won’t arrive in 2025. Apple recently launched the entry-level M5 MacBook Pro with an unchanged design, and the upcoming M5 Pro and M5 Max models—scheduled for next year—are not expected to adopt OLED either.
The MacBook Air, Apple’s most popular notebook, is next in line for this display transition. Development is already underway, but the OLED-equipped MacBook Air is not expected until 2028. The M5 models launching next spring will retain LCD technology.
Design changes accompanying the OLED integration remain unconfirmed, and as Gurman cautions, Apple’s display roadmap could still evolve. Notably, the company’s much-rumored 18-inch foldable iPad featuring an OLED panel has already been pushed back from its planned release date to 2029.
