60%
Plausible
Apple is in the middle of bringing OLED technology to its less expensive range of products, starting with the iPad mini 8. The compact slate will offer a major display upgrade over its direct predecessor, the iPad mini 7, while maintaining the same footprint. According to the latest report, Apple is estimated to launch the new tablet in the third or fourth quarter of 2026, but this prediction is based on Samsung’s OLED production schedule.
Samsung is reportedly tasked with fulfilling iPad mini 8’s OLED supply, with the manufacturer providing an annual 3 million panels - iPad Air to feature display upgrade much later
The latest information published by ETNews states that the iPad mini 8 will feature an 8.4-inch display size, with Samsung commencing mass production in July next year. Unfortunately, while jumping from IPS LCD on the iPad mini 7 to an OLED will be a major transition, especially considering that Apple will not switch to mini-LED in the middle, the iPad mini 8 will not be treated to LTPO technology.
Instead, it will stick with the less expensive single-light-emitting layer and low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) TFT, meaning no ProMotion support for the iPad mini 8. Additionally, the display will not be tandem OLED like the ones present in the 11-inch and 13-inch M5 iPad Pro models. Naturally, Apple will not give preferential treatment to its compact tablet, as it would be a costlier move. Moreover, the appeal of getting an iPad Pro solely for the higher-quality OLED would almost immediately evaporate if this were to happen.
Based on Samsung’s aforementioned mass production schedule, the iPad mini 8 launch is expected to transpire during the third or fourth quarter of 2026, with the Korean giant estimated to supply Apple with 3 million units annually. The Cupertino firm also has plans to bring the same technology to the iPad Air models, but Apple is not expected to materialize this change until 2028.
An anonymous display insider has stated that it will take a couple of years before the iPad Air makes the switch to OLED, but consumers should brace themselves to pay extra for this upgrade on the iPad mini 8. In related news, the OLED M6 MacBook Pro is expected to launch alongside Apple’s smaller tablet with a huge redesign where it will sport a revamped hinge to accommodate a notchless touchscreen, along with a slimmer chassis. Unfortunately, only the M6 Pro and M6 Max models will be exclusive to that display upgrade.
News Source: ETNews
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