Apple is said to be planning a major display upgrade for its MacBook Air, iPad mini, and iPad Air lineups. The company is reportedly testing new versions of these devices with OLED screens, which promise better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colours than the current LCD panels. Among them, the iPad mini is likely to lead the way, with the iPad Air and MacBook Air expected to follow in the coming years. Also Read: Hands-Free Photos? Your AirPods Can Do That Now With iOS 26
iPad mini to Lead the OLED Transition
According to a Bloomberg report, Apple has started testing new versions of the iPad mini, iPad Air, and MacBook Air equipped with OLED panels. The iPad mini, reportedly codenamed J510, could debut as early as next year. The new iPad mini may see a small price increase – probably by about $100 (about Rs 8,500) over the existing model – due to the expensive OLED displays. 
Also Read: Apple May Simplify iPhone 18 Camera Button: Here’s How
The report adds that Apple is exploring design improvements beyond the display. The next-generation iPad mini could feature an IP rating for water resistance, a first for the compact tablet. To achieve this, the company is said to be testing a new vibration-based speaker system that eliminates visible speaker holes, improving the tablet’s overall durability.
iPad Air and MacBook Air Upgrades
Apple’s next iPad Air refresh, expected to arrive in spring 2026, is likely to retain an LCD screen for now. The company is also planning to bring OLED to the iPad Air lineup, though that move might take some time. For the time being, the next iPad Air refresh – expected in spring 2026 at the very earliest – will presumably retain the LCD display. Apple has already introduced OLED panels in the premium iPad Pro models, which were given the M5 chip earlier this year.
On the Mac side, the MacBook Pro is expected to be the first to feature an OLED display in its upcoming redesign. The MacBook Air, meanwhile, will continue with the LCD screen for a few more years. Apple is reportedly developing an OLED version, but that model isn’t expected to arrive before 2028. Before that, the current MacBook Air is likely to get a smaller update in 2026, powered by Apple’s next-generation M5 chip.
If the reported timeline holds true, Apple’s gradual transition to OLED across its product range will begin next year, starting with the iPad mini, and extend into the second half of the decade.
