People who love OLED screens are definitely not uncommon. In fact, once someone gets used to the perks of OLED technology, it becomes quite a challenge to go back to anything else. Until now, Apple has kept this high-end feature exclusive to its top-tier iPhones and the iPad Pro. Yet, a recent leak suggests that the iPad mini and iPad Air might also be getting the OLED upgrade.
Upcoming Changes
But don't get too excited just yet! This enhancement probably won't arrive until 2026 for the iPad mini, with the iPad Air lagging behind by another year. This info comes from a leaked document from Omdia, a respected research company. The details in Omdia's report, which also includes the timeline for OLED in MacBooks, generally match what we've previously covered. The iPad mini is likely to have about an 8.4-inch screen, while the iPad Air is set to feature 11- and 13-inch displays. Noted analyst Ross Young has also supported these rumors, saying his thoughts align with these findings.
Understanding OLED Technology
For those who might need a quick overview of OLEDs, here it is: OLED screens can control the brightness of individual pixels, which allows for an amazing contrast ratio that’s almost limitless. The black levels are superior compared to any other common display technology, providing an excellent HDR experience. Additionally, OLEDs have very quick response times, making them fantastic for HDR gaming.
Potential Downsides
However, it’s not all perfect, as there are some downsides to consider, the most well-known being the risk of permanent burn-in on the screen. Also, OLEDs often struggle with brightness levels, although Apple's advanced OLED technology helps to overcome this issue. For now, if you’re looking for an iPad with an OLED display, your only option remains the impressive M4 iPad Pro, which is priced at $899 on Amazon as of this writing.