Apple is preparing a major display revolution across its product lineup, with OLED screens coming to the MacBook Air, iPad mini, and iPad Air, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. This ambitious expansion will bring richer colors, deeper contrast, and better efficiency to Apple’s most popular devices—though the rollout spans several years.
Table of Contents
Apple OLED Roadmap: Timeline & Details
| Device | OLED Launch | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| iPad Mini | ~2026 (first to adopt OLED) | Code-named J510, ~$100 price increase expected |
| MacBook Pro | Next major redesign | First Mac with OLED display |
| iPad Air | Post-2026 (later generation) | Spring 2026 model keeps LCD |
| MacBook Air | ~2028 or later | Early development phase |
| MacBook Air M5 | Spring 2026 | M5 chip debut, retains LCD screen |
| Entry iPad | No OLED plans | Staying with LCD technology |
iPad Mini Gets OLED First
The iPad mini will lead Apple’s OLED charge around 2026 as the code-named J510 model. However, expect a price increase of up to $100 due to costlier OLED panels. Apple has tested a redesigned, water-resistant casing with a vibration-based speaker system that eliminates traditional speaker holes to minimize water entry—a different approach from the iPhone’s gasket-and-adhesive sealing.
The iPad mini was last updated in late 2024 with a faster processor and Apple Intelligence support. Meanwhile, the next iPad Air arriving spring 2026 will continue using LCD, with OLED reserved for later generations.
MacBook OLED Timeline
The MacBook Pro will become the first Mac with an OLED display during its next major redesign. Apple has begun early work on an OLED-equipped MacBook Air, though that model won’t arrive before 2028.
In spring 2026, the M5 chip will debut in the existing MacBook Air design with LCD screens intact. This staggered approach reflects Apple’s strategy to refresh its Mac lineup amid slowing computer and tablet sales compared to 2021-2022 pandemic highs.
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Industry Context & Strategy
Apple recently discontinued its last non-OLED iPhone, replacing the iPhone SE with the iPhone 16e, and continues using micro-OLED panels in the Vision Pro headset. This OLED expansion represents a long-term shift across Apple’s device ecosystem.
Internal timelines remain flexible—development of an 18-inch foldable iPad has been pushed to 2029. The broader OLED transition aligns with industry trends, though most tablets and laptops still rely on LCDs, with only high-end models like the iPad Pro and Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 currently using OLED displays.
FAQs
When will the MacBook Air get an OLED screen?
The OLED MacBook Air isn’t expected before 2028; the 2026 M5 model will keep LCD.
Will OLED iPads cost more?
Yes, the iPad mini with OLED could see up to a $100 price increase due to panel costs.
