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Apple may use OLED for some iPad models starting 2022, likely to move away from LCD altogether

New reports indicate that Apple is working to introduce OLED panels in smaller models of iPad starting next year.

Apple iPad Pro 2021 (Image for representation)

Highlights

  • Apple might be looking to do away with LCD technology on its iPad offerings.
  • A slight variation was seen in the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with mini-LED display launched last month.
  • The 2022 iPad models will be the first ones to not rely on LCD tech for display.

It seems like after the introduction of the mini-LED displays in the latest line of iPad Pro models, Apple will be introducing a new OLED display for its future iPads. These iPad variants with an OLED display panel will be launched sometime next year.

New reports indicate that Apple is looking to replace the use of LCD altogether on its iPad. The iPad Pro 12.9 launched last month featured a mini-LED display, a variation from its earlier displays but still an adaptation of LCD technology.

Starting next year, the Cupertino tech giant will reportedly do away with the technology completely. For this, it will debut OLED panels on smaller models of iPad in 2022, making them the first iPad offerings that will not use any type of LCD.

The information comes through a report by Korean publication ETNews. As per the report, the OLED panels for 2022 iPads will be sourced from Samsung and LG. Both the suppliers are currently working on OLED displays for the iPhone 13.

As highlighted by GSM Arena, the report mentions some key considerations in this decision to move away from LCD. These include aspects like image quality, weight and design.

The report also notes that the current production of OLED panels is mostly limited to smartphones. To meet the demands of around 50 million iPads shipped every year, the suppliers will have to increase their production capacity.

Apple will likely roll out the OLED panels in select models at first. The move will help the company and its suppliers phase out the requirement over the iPads sold each year in totality.

It will, hence, only be in the following year that the suppliers will be able to ramp up their production to meet the demands for other iPad models. So, we can expect Apple to continue using the mini-LED displays on the latest 12.9-inch iPad Pro models till 2023 while bringing the OLED displays to the smaller models. An eventual shift to OLED panels for all iPad models is expected to follow once its production is at par with the demand.