The LCD era on Apple’s iPad Air could finally be over next year. According to a new report from South Korean outlet ET News, Apple is preparing to give the iPad Air its most anticipated upgrade: an OLED display.
According to the publication, Samsung Display is preparing to produce OLED panels for the next-generation iPad Air. Mass production is expected to begin at the end of this year or early next year (in January 2027).
Why is this a big deal?
If all goes well, Apple could release the updated iPad Air in the first half of 2027, probably 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 powerful chipsets in the segment as well as a clean iOS experience.
However, this is held back by the LCD display, which is limited to 60Hz, while tablets on the market (around the same price) offer OLED displays that support higher refresh rates. The top model iPad Pro has also had an OLED panel for two years.
Bringing OLED to the air delivers richer contrasts, deeper blacks and more accurate colors, closing a significant visual gap between Apple’s mid-range and premium tablet classes. Once the update is available, Apple’s entire iPad lineup will feature OLED panels, except for the base iPad.
But what’s the catch?
The OLED panel slated for the iPad Air 2027 could use a single-stack LTPS structure, which is cheaper than the iPad Pro’s more expensive tandem OLED panel. If this is true, this could lead to noticeable compromises.
For example, the OLED iPad Air may lack ProMotion 120Hz support; The display will certainly be set to 60Hz (while maintaining the company’s upsell hierarchy). While this won’t be a problem for regular users who use the iPad for streaming, browsing, or note-taking, gamers may want to stick with the iPad Pro.
Whatever the case, the iPad’s OLED leap will still feel transformative, especially for buyers who have been using entry-level or mid-range iPads for years.
