Thinner and lighter, iPads with Oled screens should see the light of day in 2024

Apart from the iPhone SE, all of the Cupertino company’s smartphones are now equipped with OLED panels. But that transition has yet to happen on iPads. The Californian giant, however, has been considering the issue for a while, and the project seems to be maturing.

Currently, Apple uses its own alternative with the mini-Led, which equips three of its flagship products: the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro. A technology that has also proven itself against the LCD, by offering a better light peak, a more pronounced contrast and compatibility with HDR. All this while supporting the ProMotion, and offering image refresh rates up to 120 Hz. However, it seems that the Californian giant is reluctant to democratize the mini-LED on a wider range of products.

An inevitable technology?

According to the South Korean newspaper ET Newsthe iPad Oled would currently be in the prototype state, the launch being planned for 2024.

This type of screen makes it possible in particular to benefit from an almost infinite contrast, much deeper blacks, and to avoid the halo effect (blooming). It can also have design implications. Light-emitting diodes operate without backlighting (unlike LCD and Mini-Led), switching to Oled generally makes it possible to offer a thinner and lighter product. Ideal therefore for a tablet, which is mainly used for viewing images and videos, but must remain as portable as possible.

The competitor, Samsung, has already switched to Oled for some time on its most high-end slates, such as the Galaxy Tab S8+. The South Korean has become a must on the subject, and also provides a good part of the Oled panels for iPhone, alongside LG Display.

A long-standing project

The iPad Oled project is not new. However, Apple has apparently struggled to agree with Samsung to start production of larger screens. If the demand from such a player becomes more insistent, it could however push the main suppliers to invest in new production lines, for medium-sized slabs.

The article specifies that Apple obviously intends to use its know-how in this already proven technology. The firm would like to use a dry etching process, allowing in particular to further reduce the thickness and weight of the screen. In addition, it is currently working on a new coating that is supposed to increase the resistance and the lifespan of the slab.

If we still have to take this information with a grain of salt, we understand that the idea has come a long way. iPad enthusiasts could thus take advantage of the most advanced screen technology available today. It remains to be seen whether this will have a significant impact on the tariffs applied. Answer around 2024.