OLED is next for iPad, but foldables don't have a concrete timeline

A supply chain report confirms that OLED is coming to iPad in 2024, but Apple's plans for a foldable remain in flux with no known release window.

OLED is a superior display technology already used in the iPhone lineup. Mini LED is used for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and MacBook Pro but will soon be replaced by OLED.

According to a report from Nikkei Asia, Apple is set to release OLED iPads in 2024, OLED MacBooks in 2025, and is still investigating a foldable device. Two people familiar with the matter say Apple "does not have a concrete timeline" for releasing a foldable like iPhone Fold.

"We are seeing LCD makers being squeezed hard because of the rising use of OLED in small midsize products. Huawei, Lenovo ... they are all very aggressive in using OLED in their tablets," said an executive at a supplier of OLED and LCD screens. "With Apple's plan for the iPad materializing from next year, we can only imagine the days ahead for LCD makers will be even more difficult."

Differing reports call for an OLED MacBook between 2024 and 2027. Most reports agree that OLED iPads will arrive first, but the timeline for a potential foldable keeps shifting.

Supply chain reports tend to be accurate, though the further from the current date a prediction is, the more likely it is to shift. OLED iPads in 2024 are basically set in stone, but the release of an OLED MacBook in 2025 is less certain.

9 Comments

blastdoor 15 Years · 3594 comments

About 1 year ago

Makes a ton of sense that OLED would come before foldable.

As for the LCD manufacturers, I’m sure only the pro model will get OLED for many years, so they should have plenty of business for a while yet.

I continue to look forward to a 13 inch iPad Air.

chasm 10 Years · 3624 comments

I’m hopeful that Apple being a new source of business for larger OLED screens will bring a cost reduction in that technology.

I would like to replace my 2019 iPad Pro next year, which still performs beautifully, and the upgrade in screen technology would make it worth it to me — but I’m fearful of a substantial price increase.

macxpress 16 Years · 5913 comments

The whole foldable thing just seems like a useless gimmick to me.

dope_ahmine 4 Years · 264 comments

macxpress said:

The whole foldable thing just seems like a useless gimmick to me.

All technology seems like useless gimmicks until someone succeeds in making an innovation on it.

jeffharris 22 Years · 851 comments

dope_ahmine said:

macxpress said:

The whole foldable thing just seems like a useless gimmick to me.

All technology seems like useless gimmicks until someone succeeds in making an innovation on it.

Not really. It really depends on what it is.

Some things that can be done, really aren’t worth it on multiple levels.
More complex, more moving parts, heavier, more potential failure points, more expensive.
With a folding screen, there’s the fold itself and distortion
Is it worth it? Simpler is usually better.