Apple Could Release OLED iPads in 2028, But Foldables Might Arrive First: Every Information

Apple often leads the way in consumer electronics innovation. Apple, one of the largest tech firms in the world, has restricted the use of OLED (organic light-emitting diode) technology and has not ventured into foldable phones.

All of this, however, is anticipated to change as Apple prepares to release foldable phones and OLED iPads. Apple is reportedly working on two foldable iPhone models that will be “as thin as current iPhone models,” according to The Information. These will resemble the Galaxy Z Flip smartphones from Samsung.

It seems improbable that Apple would release foldable phones prior to 2026 and OLED iPads by 2028. According to the information, Apple developers are having difficulty making the exterior screen of their foldable phone robust. Apple may work with Asian manufacturers to get components for its foldable iPhones.

Apple essentially controls the tablet industry, and by introducing OLED iPads, the corporation hopes to keep control of tablet sales. Industry insiders predict that by 2028, Apple may release an iPad Air model with a single-layer OLED display. However, the Pro form of the iPad will use a double-layer OLED.

According to The Elec, researcher Kang Min-soo of the London-based tech research firm Omdia stated at the 2024 Korea Display Conference in Seoul, “Even if other companies use hybrid OLED (glass substrate + thin film encapsulation), there are not many brands that can surpass Apple’s stronghold.” Global demand for tablets with OLED screens is anticipated to be relatively modest since there aren’t many brands in the tablet industry that will actively embrace OLED.

“If we divide the future IT OLED market outlook into tablets and laptops, OLED demand in the laptop market will be better than that of tablets,” Kang said. OLED technology will also be in high demand in the laptop industry. Apple does not currently use OLED technology in its MacBook models; laptops with OLED screens are available from Samsung, Dell, HP, Asus, Gigabyte, and Lenovo.

It would take many years for Apple’s supply chain to mass manufacture laptop-sized OLED panels, according to a statement made by Ross Young, CEO of research company Display Supply Chain Consultant, last year. It’s possible that Apple won’t release MacBook Pro models with OLED screens until 2026 or 2027.