The LCD era on Apple’s iPad Air may finally be over next year. According to a new report by the South Korean outlet ET News, Apple is gearing up to give the iPad Air the most-awaited upgrade: an OLED display.
Per the publication, Samsung Display is preparing to manufacture OLED panels for the next-generation iPad Air. Mass production is expected to begin around the end of this year or the beginning of next year (in January 2027).
Why is this a big deal?
If everything goes well, Apple may release the updated iPad Air in the first half of 2027, likely between March and May. This is a bigger deal than it sounds. The iPad Air is a mid-range tablet that features one of the most capable chipsets in the segment, along with a clean iOS experience.
However, it’s held back by the LCD display, which is limited to 60Hz, while tablets in the market (around the same price) offer OLED displays that support higher refresh rates. The top-tier iPad Pro has also enjoyed an OLED panel for two years.
Bringing OLED to the Air will deliver richer contrast, deeper blacks, and more accurate colors, effectively closing a significant visual gap between Apple’s mid-range and premium tablet tiers. Once the update lands, Apple’s entire iPad lineup will feature OLED panels, except the baseline iPad.
What’s the catch, though?
The OLED panel that’s headed to the 2027 iPad Air could use a single-stack LTPS structure, which is cheaper than the pricier tandem OLED panel found on the iPad Pro. If true, this could result in noticeable compromises.
For instance, the OLED iPad Air might miss out on ProMotion 120Hz support; the display will most certainly be locked at 60Hz (maintaining the company’s upsell hierarchy). While this won’t be an issue for everyday users, who use the iPad for streaming, browsing, or taking notes, gamers might want to stick with the iPad Pro.
Anyways, iPad’s OLED jump will still feel transformative, especially for buyers who’ve used the entry-level or the mid-range iPads for years.
