First OLED iPad Mini to Feature Larger Screen

Apple is expected to dominate hybrid OLED display orders in the coming years, driven by strong demand for its iPad lineup. According to display industry analysts at DSCC, Apple’s hybrid OLED orders are projected to account for 90% of the total by 2027, as more iPad models, including the iPad Air and iPad Mini, transition to OLED screens.

Currently, Apple has only mentioned the high-end iPad Pro series, which features dual-stack tandem OLED panels that enable the creation of the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro (2024) models, making them some of the thinnest electronic devices ever produced.

Release date and display specifications for the iPad Mini 7.

According to supply chain sources from DSCC reported by The Elec, the next device scheduled for an OLED upgrade is the iPad Mini. The current 8-inch iPad features an LCD screen with an 8.3-inch diagonal, while the upcoming iPad Mini is expected to include a hybrid OLED display with an 8.4-inch panel.

This increase in size may be accomplished by slightly reducing the bezel, similar to what Apple is anticipated to do with the iPhone 16 series. It’s important to note that the OLED iPad Mini will not utilize the advanced tandem dual-stack OLED technology, which significantly enhances brightness and lifespan but is more expensive to produce.

Instead, the OLED iPad Mini is expected to launch with a single-stack screen, consistent with most OLED devices currently available. Thus far, LG has primarily manufactured dual-stack tandem OLEDs for automotive uses, such as the expansive Hyperscreen found in Mercedes electric vehicles.

Tandem OLED technology is particularly suited for applications where brightness and longevity are critical. Following the automotive sector, tablets and laptops will benefit from dual-stack OLEDs, as users typically replace these devices less frequently than smartphones. In the near future, Apple is set to be the primary user of hybrid OLED display panels, as they view them as a favorable balance of quality and reliability.

When Apple chose to incorporate OLED screens in its premium iPad Pro line, it insisted that LG and Samsung produce not only dual-stack OLEDs but also use glass substrates rather than plastic, to prevent a “wavy” touch experience. This hybrid strategy has proven successful, and Apple plans to introduce an iPad Mini with such an OLED screen in 2026. However, details regarding the release of the first OLED iPad Air remain undisclosed for now.