For a long time now, rumor mills have been speculating that Apple will launch OLED iPad models. A new report by ET News claims that OLED iPads are scheduled to debut in 2024 with improved picture quality and are lighter than LCD iPads.
Except for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2021) with a mini-LED display, all current iPad models ship with LCD screen panels.
The new lighter OLED iPads will offer improved picture quality
Currently, the Cupertino tech giant uses OLED displays in iPhones and Apple Watch models. Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen panels are thinner, lighter, produce high-quality images, and are more power-efficient than LCD panels. Therefore, the tech company wants to expand the display tech to its tablets lineup.
According to the report, Apple has developed final prototypes of OLED iPads and repeating the testing process to further strengthen its hold on tablet markets with the new thinner and lighter OLED iPads in 2024.
Apple will also introduce the iPad OLED display dry etching process for the first time. Display dry etching is a process of removing unnecessary parts using chemical technology when making thin film transistor (TFT) circuit patterns. The display can be etched to make the display thinner and lighter.
Apple omitted the etching process for the iPhone OLED panel because the OLED panel in the iPhones is lighter than the liquid crystal display (LCD) of the past iPhone. There will be an increase in unit price if the process is added.
It is expected that the company’s long-term display suppliers, Samsung and LG, will produce OLED panels for upcoming iPad models.
This report corroborates previous claims by The Elec that the Cupertino tech giant has begun the production of OLED displays for future products and that the OLED iPads will launch in 2024.
