A new report claims that Apple will switch both iPad Air sizes from LCD to OLED in the first half of 2027. Apple recently upgraded the iPad mini with an OLED display, and the iPad Air is probably superior to it when it comes to features and support from Apple’s end. It’s a Pro iPad replacement and deserves the same attention.
The information lines up with Mark Gurman’s speculation, as he pointed to early 2027. The current iPad Air models feature an LCD display, and it’s kind of embarrassing that the mini got one before it.
How the OLED iPad Air display compares to the iPad Pro
The iPad Air is expected to use the same OLED display technology as the iPad mini 8, not the iPad Pro. Apple treats its pro tier products very carefully and wouldn’t delegate new hardware changes that easily unless a better version is available for them.
The iPad Pro models have a tandem OLED display, which is a dual-stacked panel for more brightness and a longer life. The Air gets a single layer, which is potentially not as bright, and cheaper to manufacture.
While an OLED jump is a major feature on its own, the missing feature would put it in the same category as the mini, not the Pro. The display would only be 60Hz, as the ProMotion technology stays exclusive to the iPad Pro models. While it’s not a deal breaker, we believe that Apple should standardize the 120Hz refresh rate.
You would still get deeper blacks and rich colors, higher contrast ratios, and an overall superior viewing experience compared to the LCD variants that Apple is currently selling. Samsung Display will take charge to supply most panels, while Chinese display maker BOE is also trying to win orders for one size.
When the OLED iPad Air is expected to launch
According to DigiTimes, the first half of 2027 is when the OLED iPad Air would be announced. We believe that Apple will likely introduce them at its spring event, when it typically updates the Air. The report also estimates that the company will ship between 4 and 5 million OLED iPad Airs in 2027, the same as the iPad mini.
The iPad Pro is estimated to sell only 3 to 4 million units, which is well below Apple’s reported early targets of about 10 million a year. Price is one of the main factors that created this huge gap and it’s potentially the reason why the company is bringing the OLED display technology to the iPad Air and mini lineup.
If you’ve been waiting to get the OLED iPad Pro, we would advise you to wait a bit longer for the OLED iPad Air. You would essentially get similar performance and display, other than the refresh rate. If ProMotion is the deciding factor for you, you can get the iPad Pro right now.
