Apple is currently testing a new small OLED display panel for its upcoming iPad mini model, says a Chinese leaker. Weibo-based account Digital Chat Station today said sources in Apple’s supply chain say the panel being tested in made by Samsung.
The leaker went on to say that the sources remain unsure if the panel features a higher refresh rate than the 60Hz LCD display used in the existing iPad mini 7. Last year, we reported on rumors that said Apple was working on an OLED iPad mini for release in 2026. The report said Apple had requested OLED display panels designed for future iPad mini models from its suppliers. Samsung Display had reportedly began developing samples of 8-inch OLED panels for a future iPad mini model the previous month.
OLED technology can individually control each pixel, which offers several advantages over LCD tech, including increased brightness, higher contrast ratio with deeper blacks, more precise color reproduction, improved power efficiency for longer battery life, and more.
All of Apple’s flagship iPhones use OLED panels, and in May 2024 the company brought the display technology to the iPad Pro for the first time.
