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Analysts tease OLED iPad mini and iPad Air release schedule

Apple's iPad mini will receive the OLED upgrade no sooner than 2026, as per a recent report. (Image source: Apple)
Apple's iPad mini will receive the OLED upgrade no sooner than 2026, as per a recent report. (Image source: Apple)
Apple's iPad mini and iPad Air lineups have long been rumored to get the OLED treatment, with a recent report from a reputable firm shedding light on the expected launch timeline for the products. Unfortunately, it appears that those holding out for an OLED iPad mini or Air have more waiting to do.

People who appreciate OLED panels are by no means few and far between. It can even be argued that once a person is accustomed to the benefits of OLED panels, it is rather difficult to settle for less. So far, Apple has reserved this luxury for its flagship iPhones, and the iPad Pro. However, if a recent report is assumed to be true, the iPad mini and Air are also in line to receive the OLED treatment.

Hold your horses, though, as this upgrade is not expected to see the light of day before 2026 at the earliest for the iPad mini, and the iPad Air will play catch-up yet another year later. This information comes courtesy of a leaked roadmap from Omdia, a well-reputed research firm. The specifics of Omdia's report, which also contains the OLED roadmap for MacBooks, mostly align with what we have previously reported on. Additionally, the iPad mini is expected to boast roughly an 8.4-inch display, whereas the iPad Air will sport 11- and 13-inch screens. Prominent analyst Ross Young also threw his weight behind these leaks, confirming that his expectations are largely the same.

Omdia's leaked roadmap, suggesting launch timelines for multiple Apple products. (Image source: Junkanlosreve via Twitter)
Omdia's leaked roadmap, suggesting launch timelines for multiple Apple products. (Image source: Junkanlosreve via Twitter)

Those who need a refresher on OLEDs, here's the skinny: OLED panels can dim individual pixels, allowing for an incredible nearly-infinite contrast ratio. The black levels, unsurprisingly, are also far better than any other mass-produced display technology, amounting to an excellent HDR experience. OLEDs also benefit from near-instant response times, making them a true delight for HDR gaming. 

Of course, it's not all sunshine and rainbows, since there are a few drawbacks worth noting, the most notorious of which is the danger of permanent panel burn-in. Moreover, OLEDs also typically have lower brightness levels, although Apple's tandem OLED tech largely mitigates that particular issue. Regardless, for now, those who seek the OLED experience in an iPad have but one option - the excellent M4 iPad Pro, available for $899 on Amazon at the time of writing.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2024 12 > Analysts tease OLED iPad mini and iPad Air release schedule
Sambit Saha, 2024-12- 9 (Update: 2024-12- 9)