Apple Begins iMac OLED Development: 24-Inch Display with 600 Nits Brightness Coming 2027-2028

Apple Begins iMac OLED Development: Samsung and LG receive RFI for RGB OLED panels—same 4.5K resolution, 20% brightness boost, but mass production years away as M6 MacBook Pro launches first.

Apple is quietly laying the groundwork for its next revolution. The 24-inch iMac, which has shipped with an IPS LCD panel for years, could receive a much-needed upgrade to OLED as the technology giant has reportedly started development of the new display.

According to supply chain publication The Elec, Apple has sent both Samsung and LG an RFI (Request for Information) after the display specifications have been finalized—marking the first concrete step toward bringing OLED technology to the iconic all-in-one desktop.

OLED Specifications Leaked

Based on the latest information, Apple has requested a 24-inch display with 600 nits of brightness and 281 PPI (Pixels Per Inch). These specifications are only slightly improved compared to the LCD iMac, which sports a 500 nits brightness level and the same PPI count.

Why Keep the Same Resolution?

First off, the memo demands at least 218 ppi pixel density, indicating that Apple intends to keep the current 4480 x 2520 pixels resolution to ensure software scaling compatibility. This conservative approach makes strategic sense: macOS is meticulously optimized for specific PPI tiers (typically 220-280 PPI for “Retina” classification), and changing resolution forces app developers to retest interfaces for scaling bugs.

By maintaining 4.5K resolution, Apple ensures:

• Seamless app compatibility (no broken UIs or blurry text)
• Consistent user experience (upgraders see identical layout/sizing)
• Developer goodwill (no emergency patches required)

The real upgrade lies in OLED’s inherent advantages: infinite contrast ratios (true blacks), per-pixel illumination (no backlight bleed), and faster response times (eliminating motion blur)—benefits that transform visual quality without touching resolution numbers, according to display technology analysis.

RGB OLED: The Technical Challenge

Both Samsung and LG are reportedly planning to respond to the OLED’s development with larger panels that do not use FMMs, or Fine Metal Masks. Apple is said to be leaning more towards RGB OLED since this technology implements light and color at the RGB sub-pixel level. However, the only problem is that RGB OLEDs in the 20-30-inch display sizes have yet to be developed, as these are mainly reserved for smaller products.

RGB OLED differs from WOLED (white OLED with color filters) used in many TVs:

• RGB OLED: Each pixel contains red, green, and blue sub-pixels that emit colored light directly
• WOLED: White light passes through color filters (less efficient, higher power draw)

Apple’s preference for RGB OLED prioritizes:

• Superior color accuracy (no filter-induced color shifts)
• Higher efficiency (direct emission vs filtered white light)
• Longer lifespan (RGB degrades more uniformly than WOLED)

The challenge: scaling RGB OLED production from 6-inch iPhones to 24-inch desktops without manufacturing defects exploding costs. Samsung and LG must develop new deposition techniques that maintain pixel uniformity across 24-inch panels—technology that doesn’t exist commercially yet.

Timeline: Why 2027-2028?

According to the report, development of the OLED panel is slated to finish by 2027 or 2028, with a release scheduled to happen much later. This extended timeline reflects Apple’s deliberate OLED rollout strategy:

2025: M6 MacBook Pro family (first large OLED Apple product)
2026: iPad mini 8 (transitioning iPad line to OLED)
2027-2028: iMac OLED panel development completes
2029: Retail iMac OLED launch (estimated)

So far, the largest OLED product from Apple’s side that is yet to launch is the M6 MacBook Pro family, so it should be unsurprising that it’ll take the company a few years to introduce an iMac with a display upgrade.

Apple is letting MacBook Pro serve as the OLED proving ground—identifying burn-in mitigation strategies, calibrating brightness profiles for sustained desktop use, and refining supply chain logistics—before committing to iMac integration.

What About iMac Pro?

In between this time, we should expect an iMac Pro to materialize, possibly with a mini-LED screen, as the powerful ‘All In One’ workstation is said to be tested with an M5 Max. This intermediate product fills the gap between today’s M4 iMac and the eventual OLED model:

• iMac Pro (2026-2027): 27-32 inch mini-LED, M5 Max/Ultra, $2,999+ starting price
• iMac OLED (2028-2029): 24-inch RGB OLED, M7-series chip, consumer pricing

The iMac Pro addresses professional users frustrated by the 24-inch size limitation, while consumer iMac buyers wait for OLED trickle-down—similar to how MacBook Pro got mini-LED years before MacBook Air.

The RFI Process: What Happens Next

An RFI is a document sent from a manufacturer, which, in this case, is Apple, to a component supplier after that part’s specifications have been finalized. After this stage, the Cupertino firm can send another document called Request for Quotation (RFQ).

The supplier selection timeline likely unfolds:

1. RFI Stage (Current): Samsung/LG provide technical feasibility studies
2. RFQ Stage (2026): Apple requests formal pricing quotes
3. Contract Award (2026-2027): Winner(s) selected, production ramps begin
4. Mass Production (2027-2028): Panel manufacturing scales to millions of units
5. Product Launch (2028-2029): Retail iMac OLED debuts

However, The Elec reports that the iMac OLED specifications are yet to be finalized—suggesting the 600 nit/281 PPI targets could still shift based on supplier feedback or competitive pressures (if Dell, HP release OLED all-in-ones first).

Why Only 600 Nits? OLED Brightness Limitations

The 20% brightness bump (500→600 nits) seems modest compared to OLED’s theoretical capabilities. The constraint: desktop usage patterns differ from laptops/phones. iMacs sit statically in offices/homes with controlled lighting, displaying static UI elements (menu bars, icons, toolbars) for 8+ hours daily—prime conditions for OLED burn-in.

Apple’s conservative 600-nit target prioritizes:

• Panel longevity (lower brightness = slower phosphor degradation)
• Burn-in mitigation (static UI elements less likely to ghost at moderate brightness)
• Power efficiency (600 nits consumes less than 800-1000 nit HDR peaks)

For reference, the iPad Pro OLED peaks at 1,600 nits for HDR content but averages far lower for sustained use. The iMac’s 600-nit spec likely represents full-screen sustained brightness, not peak HDR—a smarter approach for all-day desktop computing, according to OLED lifespan studies.

What This Means for Current iMac Buyers

If you’re eyeing a 2025-2026 purchase, factor in:

• M4/M5 iMacs (Current-2026): LCD displays, proven reliability, immediate availability
• iMac Pro (2026-2027): mini-LED option for professionals, larger screen sizes
• iMac OLED (2028+): OLED benefits, same 24-inch size, 3-4 year wait

Unless you’re committed to waiting until 2029, the current M4 iMac remains an excellent purchase—especially with the new nano-texture option reducing glare without OLED’s burn-in risks. For most users, the LCD’s 500-nit brightness and P3 color gamut suffice for productivity/creative work.

Also Read: M4 iMac Full Review | OLED vs Mini-LED Display Comparison