Samsung is testing OLED displays for the new iPad mini
By ForGeeks Apple has begun internal testing of new small-format OLED displays intended for the upcoming iPad mini model. This was reported by a Chinese insider citing sources in the company’s supply chain.
OLED display from Samsung: what’s known
The information was shared by popular Weibo account Digital Chat Station, which regularly publishes leaks about upcoming tablets from different manufacturers. According to him, the screen for the new iPad mini is being developed by Samsung, but the exact characteristics of the panel have not yet been specified. In particular, it remains unclear whether the novelty will receive a refresh rate higher than the current 60 Hz, which operates iPad mini 7 with an LCD display.
Last year, there were already reports that Apple had made a request to suppliers to produce OLED panels for future iPad mini models. At that time, it was also reported that Samsung Display was developing 8-inch OLED screens, with mass production expected to begin in the second half of 2025 at a plant in Cheonan, South Korea.
Samsung Display is also developing 8-inch OLED screens, with mass production expected to start in the second half of 2025.
OLED displays in the iPad lineup: what to expect
According to previous reports, Apple plans to introduce OLED not only in the iPad mini, but also in iPad Air. Based on information from May 2024, both models will get OLED panels in 2026. However, analyst firm Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) reported a slightly different timeline: the 8.5-inch iPad mini with an OLED display will come out in 2026, while the 11-inch and 13-inch versions of the iPad Air won’t be available until 2027.
So OLED could become a key focus of Apple’s tablet lineup over the next two years, expanding its presence beyond the Pro models.
Why OLED is a step forward
OLED panels control the brightness of each pixel separately, resulting in deep blacks, high color accuracy and contrast, as well as instant response and wide viewing angles. Unlike LCD, such screens are more flexible in design and power consumption. Apple has already switched all flagship-level iPhones to OLED, and in May 2024, the technology will first appear in the iPad Pro.
It’s worth noting, however, that the future iPad mini and iPad Air are likely to get less advanced OLED panels compared to the Pro models. We’re talking about a one-stack LTPS (low-temperature polycrystalline silicon) instead of two-stack LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide). This could mean lower brightness and no ProMotion (120Hz) support, which the iPad Pro is known for.
