Reports of
Apple
switching from
LCD
to
OLED
displays for
iPad
and MacBooks have been making rounds on the internet for some time now. Another report has corroborated with them, saying high-end iPads will get OLED screens in 2024, MacBooks in 2025, and the Cupertino-based company is also considering foldable tablets.
Citing multiple tech industry executives, a report by Nikkei Asia suggests that while Apple plans to deploy OLED panels in iPad Pros next year, an OLED
MacBook
model is also under development for production in the second half of 2025 at the earliest.
The move of ditching traditional LCD screens in favour of OLED technology is expected to benefit Korean and Chinese display makers like
Samsung
and
BOE
, at the same time, posing a threat to Japanese and Taiwanese LCD giants.
As per a report by Counterpoint Research, 15% of tablets will use OLED screens by 2024, up from 8% currently. This trend is likely to be amplified by Apple and Samsung's commitment to OLED, potentially leading to market consolidation among LCD manufacturers.
The rise of OLED in tablets could further squeeze LCD makers, as it has already done in the smartphone market.
“We are seeing LCD makers being squeezed hard because of the rising use of OLED in small midsize products. Huawei, Lenovo ... they are all very aggressive in using OLED in their tablets,” an executive at a supplier of OLED and LCD screens was quoted as saying.
“With Apple's plan for the iPad materialising from next year, we can only imagine the days ahead for LCD makers will be even more difficult,” the person added.
Foldable iPads under consideration
Apple is also said to be exploring the possibility of foldable iPads, but no concrete timeline has been revealed. The company's entry into the foldable market is likely to accelerate its adoption.
English (US) ·