The iPad Air, a popular tablet known for its sleek design and powerful features, might be getting a major upgrade in 2026. According to a report by The Elec, Samsung Display is expected to become the main supplier of OLED panels for the iPad Air. This would mark a significant change for the device, which currently uses an LCD panel and a 60Hz refresh rate. The upgrade to OLED would likely result in a more vibrant and responsive display, bringing the iPad Air closer to the visual quality of Apple’s high-end iPad Pro models.
The news comes as a pleasant surprise, as previous reports from Apple Insider suggested that OLED displays for the iPad Air wouldn’t arrive until 2028. This means Apple fans could be enjoying the benefits of OLED technology on the iPad Air two years earlier than anticipated.
Samsung Display has a considerable OLED production capacity, with its A3 line capable of producing 135,000 panels monthly for the iPhone and iPad Pro. In contrast, LG Display’s E6 lines have a smaller production capacity for iPhone and iPad OLED screens. This indicates that Samsung is well-equipped to meet Apple’s demand for OLED panels for the iPad Air.
The Elec report also suggests that Apple might introduce OLED screens to other devices, including the iPad Mini and a future foldable iPad. While the iPad Pro currently utilizes a Tandem OLED arrangement with two stacked OLED panels, the iPad Air might adopt a more traditional OLED technology, potentially reducing the cost per unit.
However, it’s important to remember that this report should be taken with a grain of salt. While The Elec has a good track record with supply chain and production news, its reliability with unreleased product features, especially those as far out as 2026, has been less consistent. More concrete information is likely to emerge next year.
