Apple’s transition to displays with mini-LED technology is only an interesting one if you follow the rumor mill. If you do, then you know that the expectation is that Apple, at some point in the relatively near future, is going to make another transition in its display technology usage. This one will be to OLED, a technology that a lot of people have been demanding for quite some time.
Apple has been using OLED displays in some of its products for a bit of time now. The Apple Watch is the reigning champ in this regard, having an OLED display right out of the gate. The iPhone lineup finally made the leap a few years ago. But we’re still waiting for the oft-rumored iPad Pro with an OLED panel, and, perhaps farther out, a MacBook Pro with the same display technology.
Today, the South Korean technology site The Elec (via MacRumors) has a report detailing Apple’s future jump to OLED in both the iPad Pro and the MacBook Pro lineups. According to the report, Apple is currently in discussions with both Samsung and LG Display to manufacture OLED displays with a double-stack tandem structure.
A two-stack tandem structure would apply a pair of red, green, and blue emission layers, one on top of the other. This would effectively double the display panel’s lifespan, which is a good thing all on its own, but also doubles luminance, too. That would make it possible to get the display even brighter in key situations. Current OLED-equipped devices, including iPhones, only have a single-layer design.
Per today’s report:
The structure stacks two layers of red, green and blue emission layers, which doubles luminance and extends the panel’s life span. It also needs thin-film transistor (TFT) technology that acts as switches for the pixels.
This technology is considered needed as tablets and PCs have a longer life compared to smartphones.
The report goes on to say that, considering costs, these displays will be specifically meant for Pro-marketed devices, both in the iPad and MacBook families. What’s more, it says that Apple will continue to offer the iPad Pro lineup in both 11- and 12.9-inch models. Which is interesting because the report says these first OLED iPad Pro models won’t see the light of day until late 2023, or even sometime in 2024 (that lines up with some previous rumors). Which means Apple is very happy with the sizes of the iPad Pro.
Meanwhile, the report indicates that, as of right now, Apple’s plans to introduce its first OLED MacBook Pro aren’t expected to go live until sometime in 2025. But, even then, the report’s sources say that’s even “likely to be postponed.” All due to costs, which Apple hasn’t quite nailed down to where it wants, apparently.
Apple found a way to improve the display technology in its devices by switching to mini-LED. While it may have some blooming issues (when looking at bright content in a dark room), the advantages both in terms of power, longevity, and viewing are a welcomed addition. And, with OLED taking a bit longer for Apple to get right for the devices destined to house the display technology, the mid-life transition absolutely makes sense.
Are you waiting to upgrade your tablet and/or MacBook situation until Apple finally adopts OLED? Or have you already made the leap to mini-LED?