OLED Screens to Replace LCD in All iPad Air Models by Mid-2027

Apple to Equip iPad Air Models with OLED Displays

According to НВ — Техно: In the first half of 2027, Apple intends to upgrade both sizes of the iPad Air with OLED screens, moving away from the current LCD technology. This will make the iPad Air the third Apple tablet line to feature OLED displays, following the iPad Pro lineup scheduled for OLED adoption in 2024 and the 8.5-inch iPad mini, which launched on November 6, 2023. Presently, both iPad Air variants use LCD panels and the M4 chip.

The upcoming iPad Air models will incorporate a single-layer OLED panel with an LTPS backplane, similar to the iPad mini. In contrast, the iPad Pro’s display will use a dual-emissive-layer OLED combined with an LTPO backplane, enabling ProMotion technology with a variable refresh rate between 10 and 120 Hz. The iPad Air will retain a standard 60 Hz refresh rate. Samsung Display is expected to be the main supplier of OLED panels for both the iPad Air and iPad mini, while LG Display will continue to provide OLED displays for the iPad Pro series.

Projected iPad Shipments for 2027

Forecasts for 2027 suggest that shipments of iPad Air and iPad mini devices will range from 4 to 5 million units, with iPad Pro shipments estimated between 3 and 4 million units. Earlier projections anticipated annual iPad Pro sales around 10 million units prior to its release, but demand appears to have softened, possibly due to the device’s premium price point.

Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman first reported the development of an OLED iPad Air, noting that the model won’t reach the market before 2027. This information has been corroborated by MacRumors.

Apple’s shift to OLED technology across its tablet lineup marks a significant advancement in their display quality, enhancing visual performance and user experience. This transition is likely to strengthen the competitiveness of Apple’s tablets in the market, as OLED panels typically offer superior contrast, color accuracy, and energy efficiency. Such upgrades often stimulate consumer interest and can positively influence sales figures.

As Apple prepares to enhance the iPad Air lineup with OLED technology, it’s also set to introduce additional models featuring similar advancements. This strategic move underlines the company's commitment to improving display quality across its devices. For a closer look at the upcoming iPad models and their expected features, check out the details in our article about Apple's new iPad releases for 2027.