OLED could replace TFT screens on iPads in 2022

Posted:
in iPad edited June 2021
Apple could introduce an iPad with an OLED display, a supply chain report claims, with new models using the display technology thought to be on the way in 2022.




The introduction of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with a mini LED display points to changes on the horizon for other Apple products with screens. According to one report, this will include expanding the use of OLED from the iPhone range to other product families.

An unnamed source within the display industry speaking to ETNews claims Apple is preparing to introduce iPads with OLED displays from 2022 onward. Apple is also said to have made agreements with display producers to supply the panels for the iPad range.

If true, the move would be a first for the iPad range, as it would gain the same display as used on the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro. Currently, Apple uses TFT LCD displays for all of its current iPad models, except for the newest 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

The report is not the only one to make claims about an OLED iPad arriving in the future. In March, supply chain sources of one outlet said the first OLED iPad will ship in early 2022, and will take the form of a new 10.9-inch model.

Another report from November 2020 projected an OLED iPad could appear in late 2021.

However, with Apple's successful adoption of mini LED backlighting in the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, it seems more probable for Apple to use the technique in other displays than change the core technology in use.

For Apple, mini LED offers OLED levels of brightness and contrast, but at a potentially cheaper price. By reusing the existing TFT display system and changing only the backlighting system to mini LED, the technique could be a much cheaper alternative while achieving similar improvements.

Follow all the details of WWDC 2021 with the comprehensive AppleInsider coverage of the whole week-long event from June 7 through June 11, including details of all the new launches and updates.

Stay on top of all Apple news right from your HomePod. Say, "Hey, Siri, play AppleInsider," and you'll get latest AppleInsider Podcast. Or ask your HomePod mini for "AppleInsider Daily" instead and you'll hear a fast update direct from our news team. And, if you're interested in Apple-centric home automation, say "Hey, Siri, play HomeKit Insider," and you'll be listening to our newest specialized podcast in moments.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 6
    canukstormcanukstorm Posts: 2,732member
    According to well known Display Analyst Ross Young, OLED won't be coming to iPads until 2023 at the earliest.  And track record for predicting things display related is very good


    caladanianwatto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 6
    DovalDoval Posts: 40member
    I prefer Mini Led after comparing it last
    week with my new 2021 12.9 iPad and my wives Samsun OLED tablet from her work.
    dee_deewatto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 6
    KuyangkohKuyangkoh Posts: 838member
    Great news, maybe the blue mark in my ipad pro 2nd & 4th gen screen will be the thing of the past….come on Apple
  • Reply 4 of 6
    k2kwk2kw Posts: 2,077member
    Doval said:
    I prefer Mini Led after comparing it last
    week with my new 2021 12.9 iPad and my wives Samsun OLED tablet from her work.
    I don’t believe OLED will happen.   Apple has spent years trying to get Japan Display and various  cheap Chinese companies to develop oled so that they could drop Samsung.   Doesn’t seem to have worked.   I think Apple will go the mini/micro led way like in their new iPP.
    Scot1watto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 6
    I hate to ask this of the OP. But, isn’t the new 2021 12.9” iPad Pro still a TFT LCD?  The only thing that really changed was the backlight tech. It’s not like Apple introduced a Micro-LED display. MicroLED displays combined the great characteristics of an OLED display with the potential for refresh rates and no burn in of TFT LCD displays.

    Apple has been rumored to be working on MicroLED for a few years now. 
    dewmewatto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 6
    aknabiaknabi Posts: 211member
    I hate to ask this of the OP. But, isn’t the new 2021 12.9” iPad Pro still a TFT LCD?  The only thing that really changed was the backlight tech. It’s not like Apple introduced a Micro-LED display. MicroLED displays combined the great characteristics of an OLED display with the potential for refresh rates and no burn in of TFT LCD displays.

    Apple has been rumored to be working on MicroLED for a few years now. 
    Yup... an LCD (with 10k little backlights grouped into 2.5k zones)... indeed they've been working on uLED for years... the assumption is that you'd see it on the Watch first.

    Based on Apple's "personality" and engineering I think they would rather skip OLED... given they now have introduced their first mini-LED my SWAG would be they'll both move to that across their lines as well as increase the number of ZPI (zones per inch) with smaller LEDs and improved controllers... and in the mean time ramp up the uLEDs (first with the Apple Watch) until one day the product line is all uLED (with the Apple Display being the last... looking at the calendar 2025 would be aggressive... we'll get an Apple Car sooner :) ).

    watto_cobra
Sign In or Register to comment.