iPad mini: Allegedly with OLED – but not until later
Apple's smallest tablet was last overtaken in 2021. It could be five years before there are any major changes.
The current iPad mini (left), here with an iPad 9.
(Image: Sebastian Trepesch)
Finally, larger OLED screens from Apple: after smaller screens in the iPhone and Apple Watch, the manufacturer is using organic light-emitting diodes with 11 and 13 inches for the first time in the iPad Pro M4. An intermediate size may now be coming onto the market in the foreseeable future: according to recent rumors, there are also plans to equip the iPad mini with the technology. This is reported by sources in South Korea.
Preparations at Samsung Display
According to a report by ZDNET Korea, Apple supplier Samsung Display has started to develop an OLED screen suitable for the compact tablet. Apple has high standards: the company uses the expensive dual-stack tandem process for the iPad Pro M4, which is intended to increase the luminosity significantly. The current iPad mini has an 8.3-inch screen, placing it exactly between the iPhone 15 Pro Max with 6.7 inches and the smaller iPad Pro M4 with 11 inches.
However, anyone hoping that the plans will be implemented quickly will be disappointed: according to the report, which is based on informed sources, development began in April, but mass production is not expected before the second half of 2025. In practice, this means that Apple could take until 2026. This would mean that the current version, the sixth generation, would be on the market for a full five years. It was released in September 2021.
The Air could also get OLED
In addition to the iPad mini, Apple is apparently also considering switching the iPad Air to OLED, at least in the longer term. However, according to ZDNET Korea, this is also not expected before 2026. There had been speculation meanwhile that Apple could at least install a mini-LED screen in the new 13-inch iPad Air M2, but this never came to pass. This was previously used in the larger iPad Pro until the series was switched to OLED this year.
Samsung Display is currently supplying Apple with OLED panels for the iPad Pro M4. These are installed in the 11-inch version, while the 13-inch OLED apparently comes solely from competitor LG Display (also from South Korea). The panels purchased by Apple are said to be expensive by industry standards. OLEDs are also expected to be installed in the Mac.
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