Apple Suppliers Already Working on Second-Generation OLED iPad

Apple suppliers are already working on display panels for second-generation OLED iPad models, The Elec reports.

OLED iPad Pro Feature
Samsung Display is said to be in the process of negotiating prices for new Gen 8.5 OLED deposition equipment designed to make OLED display panels for devices like tablets. Samsung is reportedly planning to use the equipment to mass-produce Gen 8.5 OLED panels in late 2024 for the second-generation version of Apple's OLED ‌iPad‌.

Apple has begun transitioning its ‌iPad‌ and MacBook lines to mini-LED displays over the last year, and OLED would be the next step after that. Unlike mini-LED displays, OLED panels use self-emitting pixels and do not require backlighting, which could improve contrast ratio and contribute to longer battery life on future ‌iPad‌ and MacBook models. Apple already uses OLED displays for its latest iPhones and all Apple Watch models.

The first-generation OLED iPad models, consisting of an 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro, are expected to use displays supplied by LG Display and Samsung, using existing Gen 6 OLED production lines. Moving to Gen 8.5 OLED panels for the second-generation of OLED iPads is more economical for larger devices than using Gen 6, which is better for smaller devices like smartphones, because it can yield more OLED panels per substrate.

The first OLED ‌iPad‌ models are purportedly scheduled to launch in 2024, so a late 2024 mass-production date for displays destined for second-generation models could situate their launch sometime in 2025.

Various Apple devices with Gen 8.5 OLED displays are expected to launch after the debut of the first OLED ‌iPad‌. For example, a previous report placed the launch of the first MacBook with an OLED display in 2025, depending on the success of new 11- and 12.9-inch OLED ‌iPad Pro‌ models from the previous year.

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Top Rated Comments

ProfessionalFan Avatar
45 months ago
Damnit my 1st gen OLED iPad is already obsolete 2 years before I even get my hands on it!
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SpringKid Avatar
45 months ago

Damnit my 1st gen OLED iPad is already obsolete 2 years before I even get my hands on it!
I think this is the only comment this thread needs.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jim Lahey Avatar
45 months ago

Why do people continue to push OLED burn-in fear when they solved this issue years ago?
I'm not 'pushing' anything. I'm voicing a genuine concern based on personal experience. Nothing has been 'solved'. It has been mitigated. And it's not just burn-in anyway, it's colour shift, brightness loss and screen uniformity loss that brings about blooming and DSE at a 5-20% greyscale. I have personally witnessed an extremely expensive OLED television ruined by panel degradation after only three years of normal use. And I mean ruined..scrapped.

The likelihood of these issues occurring has been greatly reduced more recently, yes, but that is no rationale to discount the possibility of failures entirely. iPad is the perfect application to bring about such problems. I'm not saying there will be problems, but only a fool would dismiss the possibility on good faith alone.

OLED is amazing. I love it, but I can do that whilst also being mindful that, like all display tech, it has its downsides and thus it needs to be approached with full knowledge of its shortcomings. You are free to do as you wish but personally I'll be skipping the first generation or two and waiting to see how things go ?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ProfessionalFan Avatar
45 months ago

Because OLED zealots beat their chests on these forums about how everything else other than OLED is just junk and how Android phones look better and Apple sucks
Some iPhones have OLED screens as well and have for a few years now so don't understand this one.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ValO Avatar
45 months ago
iPad mini , oled, 120 hz.
Definite buy.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jim Lahey Avatar
45 months ago
Big fan of OLED here but it remains to be seen if its longevity is suited to an iPad application with static screen elements and often very extended usage periods. I welcome this upgrade with enthusiasm but I'll certainly not be buying the first generation of OLED iPad. Had my fingers burned before with poor displays in Apple devices, and while OLED is excellent, it comes with certain caveats that mean a sage buyer should proceed with caution.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)