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| The first OLED iPad could use a hybrid screen to avoid visible distortion |
It is unclear when we will see the first OLED iPad. The most recent estimates range from 2023 to 2026.
However, a new Supply Chain report today indicates that Apple is concerned that the type of OLED used in the Apple Watch and iPhone may not be suitable for the iPad.
iPhone-like OLED screens in particular can have noticeable distortion when used for screens larger than about 10 inches, which is a problem.
The first OLED screen was solid with a glass backing. Today, most smartphones, including the iPhone, use polyimide films instead of glass.
Compared to glass, polyimide films offer several major advantages including lower cost, simpler production processes, lighter weight, and greater flexibility.
While we think OLED is good for curved and flexible screens, it also allows for very thin bezels for modern iPhones. The screen extends beyond the viewable area and curves back into the body, hiding areas of the unusable edge.
However, flexible OLED screens have a downside: they don't fit into larger screens. In particular, a small but visible development occurs in the production process.
For this reason, Apple will likely use a hybrid OLED model for the iPad.