Apple is expected to choose Samsung Display as the primary supplier of OLED panels for its upcoming iPad Air, largely due to Samsung’s superior production capacity compared to rival LG Display, according to a report by The Elec (via MacRumors).
Samsung already provides Apple with OLED panels for the M4 iPad Pro. The latest report indicates that Apple plans to extend OLED technology to the iPad Air and iPad mini by 2026, with Samsung Display likely leading the charge.
The decision comes down to production capability. Samsung Display’s A3 line, which mass-produces OLED panels for the iPhone and iPad Pro, has a substantial capacity of 135,000 units per month. In contrast, LG Display’s facilities, including its E6 lines that produce OLED panels for the iPhone and iPad, have a combined capacity of just 60,000 units per month.
Apple’s transition to OLED for the iPad Air and iPad mini has been widely anticipated. Research firm Omdia predicts that the iPad Air will adopt OLED technology in 2026, followed by the iPad mini in 2027. However, other sources, including Korea’s ET News and ZDNET Korea, suggest that both models could receive OLED upgrades simultaneously in 2026. While the iPad Air is expected to maintain its 11-inch display, rumors suggest the iPad mini’s screen could grow slightly from 8.3 inches to 8.7 inches.
Unlike the latest iPad Pro models, which use advanced two-stack LTPO OLED panels, the iPad Air and iPad mini are likely to feature single-stack LTPS OLED displays. While these panels may offer lower brightness and lack ProMotion technology, they are more cost-effective to produce.