Apple Mini-LED Display Supplier Says Demand Shrinking As Rumors Suggest Transition to OLED in Coming Years - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Mini-LED Display Supplier Says Demand Shrinking As Rumors Suggest Transition to OLED in Coming Years

One of Apple's leading mini-LED suppliers says demand for displays in consumer products is shrinking while demand for mini-LED in other use cases is rising as Apple eyes a transition to move its iPad and MacBook line to OLED displays in the coming years.

Oled iPads and MackBook Pro Notch
A new report from DigiTimes today cites industry sources within Epistar, which has been providing mini-LED displays to Apple for some time, saying that demand for mini-LED displays for use in consumer electronic devices is decreasing and that it expects demand for mini-LED displays for use in dashboards and displays for vehicles to spike in 2023.

A report last week suggested Samsung is now prioritizing the development of specific types of OLED displays that Apple plans to use in upcoming iPad Pro models. According to reports, Apple is expected to announce the first iPad Pro with an OLED display in 2024, which has sparked mini-LED suppliers to eye other applications for its displays, according to DigiTimes.

Alongside an OLED ‌iPad Pro‌, Apple is also rumored to launch a 13-inch MacBook Air with an OLED display in 2024. Apple is also considering using an OLED panel in an upcoming iPhone SE refresh, but the company is debating between using an LCD or OLED display, according to reliable display analyst Ross Young.

Popular Stories

Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

Apple Bracing Display Supply Chain for Wave of New OLED Devices

Tuesday March 24, 2026 5:38 am PDT by
Apple is moving more decisively to reduce its reliance on Chinese manufacturers ahead of the launch of a wave of new products with OLED panels, DigiTimes reports. Apple has apparently accelerated efforts to diversify its OLED sourcing away from Chinese suppliers such as BOE, which have historically played an important role in the company's display supply chain. The impact on BOE has already...
iphone fold text

iPhone Fold Production Pushed Back, But Fall 2026 Launch Still on Track

Monday April 13, 2026 1:44 pm PDT by
Production on the iPhone Fold is behind schedule, but the device is still slated to launch in fall 2026, reports DigiTimes. The site says that production has been pushed back by "roughly one to two months," but Apple has not communicated any launch delays to suppliers. Apple is still planning for a 2026 launch, which suggests a tighter production schedule. Apple planned to begin iPhone Fold...
m3 imac

Apple Reportedly Planning to Launch iMac With OLED Display

Monday March 30, 2026 4:59 am PDT by
Apple is preparing to launch an iMac featuring an OLED panel with higher brightness, according to ZDNet Korea. Apple has apparently requested that Samsung Display, LG Display, and other suppliers produce 24-inch OLED panel samples suitable for a future iMac model using their mass-production facilities. This would be the biggest ever OLED display offered on an Apple device. Specifically,...

Top Rated Comments

Bustycat Avatar
43 months ago

Apple didn't move to OLED in a long time because these displays degrade faster than LCD. Then why is Apple now considering to switch?
Then you can buy more frequently.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
43 months ago
I have an LG C2 OLED next to my Pro Display XDR, and 16" miniLED MacBook Pro and the OLED absolutely destroys them both in terms of picture quality when watching films and TV.

If burn in is solved then I can't wait for OLED.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
43 months ago

OLED will be used on consumer Apple products, mini-LED on prosumer ones. Apple needs HDR across the board, sufficiently bright OLED is a “cheap” way to get there. But it won’t replace miniLED and local dimming any time soon. Next evolutionary step is then micro-LEDs which will replace both.
I would say it’s the opposite. OLED is far superior to MiniLED in HDR as it has effectively millions of dimming zones vs; 2500 on the MiniLED making for a much more impressive contrast ratio. Yes it isn’t as bright but it doesn’t need to hit the same brightness due to higher perceived contrast. This is a-art from the much better Color volume OLED provides especially QD OLED

I have an OLED monitor, OLED TV AMD a MiniLED iPad and in the dark the OLED just crushes the MiniLED.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Le0M Avatar
43 months ago
Apple didn't move to OLED in a long time because these displays degrade faster than LCD. Then why is Apple now considering to switch?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️ Avatar
43 months ago
I’m ready for that OLED iPad 16” Display.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bonte Avatar
43 months ago
No need for OLED unless the technique improved a lot, miniLED is more than capable for the current form factors.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)