Apple: iPad and MacBook OLED in preparation?

Published on 08/04/2022 at 17:55

–
–

Currently, few computers and tablets are equipped with OLED screens. This could change in a few years as Apple is said to be planning this change scheduled for 2024.

A new OLED manufacturer for Apple

Apple’s latest iPads and MacBooks have had their share of changes, including the in-house M1 chip which increases power and autonomy tenfold, and ProMotion for better fluidity. But still no OLED on these models, the top of the range being limited to Mini LED.

It seems that Apple has this goal in sight, at least according to the Korean site TheElec. Wishing to get rid of Samsung, which is its main supplier of OLED panels, Tim Cook would turn to BOE to manufacture its components for the iPad and MacBook. The Chinese manufacturer could open the new production line by the end of 2024, and take care of Apple screens from 2025.

Ross Young, a display supply chain consultant and very reliable informant, expects to see the iPad Pros benefit first, although before that, Samsung and LG were in charge of Apple’s first OLED tablets, expected in 2024.

Why so much waiting?

OLED is a unique screen technology that allows each pixel to self-illuminate for excellent contrast and off pixels giving perfect blacks. While it has been found since 2015 on the Apple Watch and since 2017 on the iPhone, why do we have to wait so long to see OLED extend to larger screens?

There are many reasons, but the one that interests us here is durability. An OLED screen tends to have a shorter lifespan than conventional LCD and this is a problem for iPads and MacBooks, which users often keep for a few years longer than watches or smartphones.

BOE is looking into creating double-thick OLED screens that can better withstand the damage of time and improve brightness, another black point of these panels. Apple being very high on quality, we understand that they plan this transition so far in advance.

–