The Elec reports that LG is working to supply Apple with OLED panels for two future iPad models, before providing larger Gen 8.5 (2200x2500mm) OLED panels for use in Apple’s first OLED MacBook, which is expected around 2025.
LG has been evaluating the deposition process to manufacture Gen 8.5 OLED panels at its Paju facility since December 2021, says The Elec. The evaluation procedure will purportedly take up to a year to complete.
The evaluation is being done at its supplier Sunic System’s facility at Paju, sources said. The facility houses Sunic System’s Gen 8.5 half-cut and vertical deposition equipment.
Other suppliers to LG Display have also provided their equipment and materials necessary for the evaluation to the Paju facility.
The Elec reports that LG is planning to use its Gen 6 OLED production lines for 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad models, which will debut at some time earlier than the first OLED MacBook. LG is planning to use larger substrates such as Gen 8.5 since more panels can be cut out per substrate in less time.
Yesterday, well-connected Apple industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo somewhat agreed with the report from The Elec, tweeting that the launch of Apple’s first MacBook with an OLED display is dependent on the launch of 11-inch and 12.9-inch OLED iPad models in 2024:
I think the release date of the OLED MacBook is mainly dependent on the schedule of iPad’s adoption of OLED. MacBook would use OLED in 2025 at the earliest if Apple could successfully release 12.9-inch & 11-inch OLED iPads in 2024.
— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) March 17, 2022
(Via MacRumors)
