Apple seemingly intends to switch to OLED for its entire iPad range, with the M4 iPad Pro being the first recipient of this technology. According to the latest rumor, the iPad mini 7 is the next model, with Samsung said to be producing display samples for Apple to evaluate. However, the next iPad mini with the panel upgrade may not arrive this year or the next.
Rumor does not mention if the iPad mini 7 will feature Tandem OLED, but Apple may skip this technology to reduce cost
Samsung has reportedly begun developing 8-inch OLED samples for Apple, suggesting that the iPad mini 7 may share the same 8.3-inch display as the current-generation iPad mini 6. After the approval process is complete, Naver reports that Samsung will commence mass production of these screens in the second half of 2025. This rumored timeline will be sufficient to give Apple some breathing room to prepare for the iPad mini 7 launch. An industry insider apparently made the following statement regarding Samsung OLED samples.
“I understand that Samsung Display began developing samples for the OLED iPad mini last month at Apple’s request. After developing initial samples in the first half of this year, we will be able to enter the development stage for mass production within the year.”
While no word is mentioned whether the iPad mini 7 will feature Tandem OLED like the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models, Apple will likely skip this technology. The main reason is that these panels are more expensive to mass produce than mini-LED, meaning that the iPad mini 7 will also need to be priced higher for Apple to generate healthy profits.
Even Ross Young, a notable analyst, founder, and CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, was surprised at how Apple managed to price the 11-inch iPad Pro at just $999, as he estimated that the new tablets would be 50 percent more expensive because of the change in display technology alone. We may see a low-cost OLED getting mass produced by Samsung, allowing its lucrative client to use them in devices that will not fetch a hefty retail price. Unfortunately, we have to wait a while because the iPad mini 7 is not scheduled to arrive before 2026.
News Source: Naver
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.
