Apple rumored to adopt OLED displays on iPad, MacBook
5th March, 2021 at 8:50 pm by Flynn and Liam
- Apple is rumored to release new iPad and MacBook models with OLED displays in 2022, according to Taiwanese news publication DigiTimes.
- The new devices could begin production as soon as this year, and may be shipped sometime in 2022, the publication said.
- These would be the first iPads and MacBook models to feature OLED displays. OLED boasts several benefits over conventional LCDs.
Apple is rumored to release new iPad and MacBook models with OLED displays in 2022, according to Taiwanese news publication DigiTimes. Starting with Apple Watch in 2015, and then with the iPhone X in 2017, Apple has slowly expanded the use of OLED to include all models of iPhone with the introduction of iPhone 12.
OLED panels are lighter and thinner due to the absence of backlight. They emit visible light, which is ideal for low light conditions. This results in a significantly higher contrast ratio when compared with LCD. Each OLED pixel has its own light (RGB), which can be individually controlled, providing richer colors and sharper images. This means the blacks are deeper and the colors are more vibrant. This results in lower power consumption overall making it more efficient. As of right now, Apple Watch, iPhones, and other products already use OLED screens. However, Apple has never launched a MacBook or iPad with an OLED display.
From DigiTimes:
The sources pointed out that the first device to come with an OLED panel is likely to be a 10.9-inch iPad, set to begin volume production in the fourth quarter of 2021 for an official release in 2022.
The US brand reportedly is also considering adopting OLED panels for its 12.9-inch iPad Pro and 16- to 17-inch MacBook Pro scheduled for release in 2022, but have not made a final decision, the sources noted.
Macs and iPads still use LCD displays, perhaps due to the fact that large OLED displays are infamously expensive and difficult to manufacture. High-end OLED TVs often cost thousands of dollars, for example, with their LCD counterparts priced significantly cheaper. Many consumers will opt for LCD displays when given the chance due to its more affordable price, but studies have shown that customers prefer the overall look and quality of OLED displays.
With the inclusion of OLED panels on the iPhone 12, analysts are now saying that Apple will be the world’s largest buyer of OLED panels in 2021. According to DSCC (Display Supply Chain Consultants), Apple’s expenses this year on OLED panels will hit USD $9.8 billion. This means that the company is expected to account for about 30% of global OLED panel sales.
Further, these claims have been corroborated by reports from Barclays analysts and Ming-Chi Kuo (reliability: 80.95%). Barclays analysts outline that Apple will first transition iPad Pro models to mini-LED in 2021, and then shift to OLED panels in 2022.
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