Report: iPad Mini OLED Panel Mass Production Has Begun

Thursday June 25, 2026 5:26 am PDT by Tim Hardwick

OLED panel mass production has reportedly begun for several upcoming Apple products, including the long-rumored OLED iPad mini and OLED MacBook Pro.

OLED iPad mini Feature
According to a Korean-language ETNews report, Samsung Display started mass production of OLED panels for Apple's first OLED iPad mini this month. The report adds that production of OLED panels for the MacBook Pro is scheduled to begin in July, coinciding with the startup of Samsung's new 8.6-generation OLED production line.

The OLED iPad mini has been rumored for several years now as Apple gradually expands OLED technology beyond the iPhone and Apple Watch. Apple brought OLED to the iPad Pro in 2024, and display industry analysts have long expected the iPad mini to follow before the technology eventually reaches the iPad Air.

OLED will replace the current LCD technology used in the iPad mini 7, offering higher contrast, deeper blacks, and improved power efficiency. There are no rumors suggesting exactly when the next ‌iPad mini‌ will be released, but a late 2026 launch is widely expected.

OLED iPad Mini: Release Date, Pricing, and What to Expect

The rumored upcoming MacBook Pro redesign – possibly marketed with a higher-tier "MacBook Ultra" moniker – is believed to be next in line in Apple's product lineup to adopt OLED, replacing the current mini-LED technology. Multiple supply chain reports have indicated Samsung Display's dedicated Gen 8.6 OLED production line is key to Apple's Mac transition.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the OLED MacBook Pro will also be the first Mac to adopt touchscreen technology. The machine is expected to be released towards the end of the year or early 2027, depending on how well Apple contends with industry-wide memory chip shortages.

ETNews says Samsung Display and LG Display are supplying all of Apple's OLED panels for products launching in the second half of the year. Samsung and LG are reportedly sharing production of OLED panels for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, while LG Display is said to be the sole supplier for the Apple Watch Series 12. Meanwhile, Samsung will reportedly be the exclusive supplier for the foldable iPhone, OLED iPad mini, and OLED MacBook Pro displays.

MacBook Ultra: 5 Features That Could Justify the Name

The report also claims Chinese display maker BOE is not participating in the iPhone 18 supply chain after quality issues reportedly delayed shipments for iPhone 17 Pro displays.

Related Roundup: iPad mini

Tag: OLED

Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Don't Buy)

Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

OLED iPad Mini: Release Date, Pricing, and What to Expect

Friday June 19, 2026 1:46 am PDT by Tim Hardwick

According to the latest rumors, Apple is close to launching its next-generation iPad mini. So what should we expect from the successor to the iPad mini 7 that Apple released over 20 months ago. Read on to find out. Processor and Performance Apple is working on a next-generation version of the iPad mini (codename J510/J511) that features the A19 Pro chip, according to information found in...

• 62 comments

LG's 39-Inch Ultrawide 5K2K OLED Display Officially Begins Shipping Next Week

Friday May 29, 2026 10:36 am PDT by Eric Slivka

Back at CES in January, LG unveiled its UltraGear evo GX9 (39GX950B) display, which it claims is the world's first 39-inch ultrawide 5K2K OLED gaming monitor, offering a large curved canvas in the increasingly popular 21:9 aspect ratio with the added benefit of OLED technology for enhanced contrast with true blacks, standard refresh rates of up to 165Hz, and more. While LG began taking...

• 81 comments

2027 Apple Watch Could Adopt Next-Generation OLED Display Tech

Tuesday June 2, 2026 3:36 am PDT by Tim Hardwick

Apple is evaluating a new OLED display backplane technology that could make future Apple Watch models more power efficient, according to a new report from Korean publication The Elec. LG Display is said to be developing high-mobility oxide, or HMO, thin-film transistor technology for its sixth-generation small and medium-sized OLED production lines. The technology is reportedly being...

• 42 comments

Top Rated Comments

estabya

2 hours ago at 07:26 am

I always wonder why everyone is so excited about OLED. Despite some advantages it offers many more disadvantages, such as PWM (often) and longevity. It is not just about burn-in but also that panels can sometimes develop bring pink or green lines out of nowhere, as well as those are very fragile. LCD is much more future-proof and safe. However whole industry moved to OLED as if it was a huge deal

I am not sure that OLED "offers many more disadvantages" as you indicate unless you are someone who is bothered by PWM flicker. Most of the other issues conventionally associated with OLED panels are either overblown imo or have been mostly resolved over time by manufacturers. Most longevity tests I have seen actually have OLED panels earning significantly higher reliability ratings than LCDs, on average. I've owned many OLED devices including phones, tablets, monitors, and TVs over the last 10-12 years and never had any of the issues you are describing, even after long term use. Granted I am also not someone who is bothered by PWM flicker and don't watch static content for extended periods of time on any of my devices.

I for one am VERY excited for a 120hz OLED iPad mini. My current mini is the only screen I use regularly that isn't an OLED 😂

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

rensuchan

3 hours ago at 06:20 am

If I had to guess, pricing will start at $799 for this.

I'm gonna lock in at $749. I'll hope for lower but given today's price increases that's probably the lowest number we can hope for at all.

This is my most wanted device upgrade right now anyway so Apple is getting my money regardless lol.

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)