Apple is preparing to expand its OLED display lineup in 2026. Both a redesigned iPad mini and a new MacBook Pro are set to receive OLED panels supplied by Samsung Display. The move signals a major shift across two of Apple's most popular product categories.
The upcoming iPad mini will be the first in the series to ditch its LCD screen. The current iPad mini 7 launched in October 2024 and still uses traditional display technology. That changes with the next model.
Samsung Display is expected to be the sole panel supplier. Mass production of an approximately 8.4-inch OLED screen is reportedly planned from mid-2026. Slimmer bezels made possible by flexible OLED technology could push the screen size from 8.3 inches to as large as 8.7 inches.
Other rumored upgrades include an A19 Pro or A20 Pro chip, a vibration-based speaker system and a water-resistant build. Apple is expected to announce the device in September or October. The iPad mini 8 may use a single-stack LTPS OLED panel to manage costs. This approach differs from the more advanced tandem OLED technology found in the iPad Pro and may come with some limits on brightness and refresh rate.
The OLED MacBook Pro represents an even bigger leap. It is expected to be Apple's first Mac with a touchscreen. The display notch will reportedly be replaced by the Dynamic Island feature familiar to iPhone users. It will expand contextually based on whatever app is in use.
Both the 14-inch and 16-inch models are expected to feature M6 Pro and M6 Max chips built on a 2-nanometer process along with a thinner chassis. Mass production is targeted for late 2026 with a launch planned around the same time. A delay into early 2027 is still possible. Apple is also expected to release a separate MacBook Pro refresh with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips in spring 2026 meaning the lineup could receive two updates this year.
Samsung Display's involvement with both products highlights its expanding partnership with Apple. OLED screens already power every current iPhone, Apple Watch and iPad Pro. Adding the iPad mini and MacBook Pro to that list would leave very few Apple products still dependent on LCD technology.