Apple is contemplating foldable tablets but plans to introduce OLED iPads and MacBooks first

Apple is set to broaden its utilization of cutting-edge OLED screens to include its iPad and MacBook product lines, according to a Nikkei report. The company reportedly plans to integrate OLED panels into its high-end iPads as early as next year, with an OLED MacBook model expected for production in the second half of 2025. This strategic move toward OLED displays, already prevalent in premium smartphones such as iPhones and many Android devices, marks a notable victory for major display players like Samsung Display, LG Display, and China’s BOE Technology Holding. 

Apple is reportedly considering the introduction of foldable iPads before foldable smartphones, signifying a further step into cutting-edge display innovations. Although a concrete timeline for this development is yet to be established, industry sources suggest to Nikkei that Apple is actively exploring the possibilities. However, foldable tablets will need to wait, as Apple plans to launch OLED display iPads and MacBooks before any foldable devices. This move follows Apple’s pivotal decision in 2020 to transition its premium iPhones to OLED displays, causing a ripple effect in the global display industry. Now, the company’s shift toward OLED for iPads is poised to disrupt the tablet market further.

With OLED smartphone sales already dominating nearly half of the global market, the forecast for tablets is similarly optimistic. Counterpoint Research predicts that by the second quarter of 2024, 15% of tablets will feature OLED screens, up from the current 8%. The endorsement of OLED by industry leaders like Apple is expected to encourage other brands to follow suit, stimulating increased supply chain investments for this advanced technology. Notably, BOE, a major OLED supplier for iPhones, recently unveiled plans to invest $8.65 billion in constructing an 8.6-gen OLED display factory. This move echoes Samsung Display’s existing advanced plant, set to commence production in late 2025, reinforcing the industry’s commitment to OLED technology.