First OLED iPad might not arrive until 2023

iPad Air 4
The iPad Air 4 (Image credit: TechRadar)

Every phone in the iPhone 12 range has an OLED screen, as do most premium phones from other brands, but currently no iPad does, with most models stuck with inferior LCD tech, and the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) getting Mini LED. It does seem like OLED is on the way though – but maybe not until 2023.

That year has been put forward in the latest forecast from Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC), which also says that the first OLED iPad will have a 10.9-inch screen. That means it will probably be a new iPad Air, since the current model of that (the iPad Air 4) has a screen of that size.

That said, we’d take this 2023 claim with a pinch of salt, as recently we heard from another source that the first OLED iPad would land in 2022, so it’s not clear which information is right. The sources seem to agree however on the size of the screen, so there’s a good chance at least that the first OLED iPad will be an iPad Air, whenever it lands.

A significant upgrade

OLED panels can allow for deeper blacks and better contrast than the LCD screen tech Apple is currently using, so it would make for a definite upgrade.

It’s an upgrade on those fronts from Mini LED too, but that can get brighter, and doesn’t suffer from burn-in, which is a risk with OLED. So Apple may have decided Mini LED is a better fit for its productivity-focused iPad Pros.

That said, previous reports suggest that OLED will make its way to the iPad Pro range ultimately too, just probably not until after the iPad Air. So the days of LCD and even Mini LED iPads are probably numbered.

Via Phone Arena

TOPICS

James is a freelance phones, tablets and wearables writer and sub-editor at TechRadar. He has a love for everything ‘smart’, from watches to lights, and can often be found arguing with AI assistants or drowning in the latest apps. James also contributes to 3G.co.uk, 4G.co.uk and 5G.co.uk and has written for T3, Digital Camera World, Clarity Media and others, with work on the web, in print and on TV.

Read more
iPad Pro 13-inch 2024 on a table
The OLED iPad Pro is reportedly less popular than expected – and that could mean these changes to Apple's OLED iPad plans
A person holding the 15-inch MacBook Air at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in 2023.
The rumored OLED MacBook Air delays are no bad thing – the last thing I want is a price hike
Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (2024)
Apple's iPad in 2024: the highs, lows, and what we want to see in 2025
Apple iPad Air 13-inch (2024) REVIEW
New iPad Air and iPad 11 edge closer to launch – here’s when to expect them
Apple iPad 10.9 (2022)
iPad 11: what we want to see
Apple iPhone 16 Review
I’ve got two fresh iPhone 17 rumors for you, but one of them stinks
Latest in iPad
MacBook Air M4
Apple's rumored foldable iPad tipped to launch sooner than expected with an exciting software twist
iPad Air M3 11-inch and 13-inch on an orange background next to TechRadar deals price cut badge
Wait, what? The brand-new iPad Air just launched and it's already on sale on Amazon
Three photos of the iPad Air M3 and its camera
iPad Air M3 review roundup – should you buy Apple's new mid-range tablet?
iPad Pro 13-inch 2024 on a table
The OLED iPad Pro is reportedly less popular than expected – and that could mean these changes to Apple's OLED iPad plans
iPad Air M3
The new iPad Air M3 is good value – but I’d still buy this iPad Pro model instead
iPad Air M3 on a green background next to TechRadar big savings badge
Get the brand-new iPad Air (M3) from just $249 at Best Buy with a trade-in
Latest in News
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 23 (game #1154)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, March 23 (game #385)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, March 23 (game #651)
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold main display opened
Apple is rumored to be prioritizing battery life on the foldable iPhone – which could also feature a liquid metal hinge for added durability
Google Pixel 9
The Google Pixel 10 just showed up in Android code – and may come with a useful speed boost
L-mount alliance
Sirui joins L-Mount Alliance to deliver its superb budget lenses for Leica, DJI, Sigma and Panasonic cameras