Samsung Display is constructing a new production line for OLED displays in South Korea. The new production line will manufacture Gen 8 OLED panels that could power future iPad and MacBook models and will be operational by 2026, reads a new report from The Elec.
Samsung Display is refitting an existing production line in its facilities that used to assemble LCD panels. Once remodeling is completed, the new line will be used to manufacture Gen 8 OLED displays, which utilize a dual-stack tandem design that combines two layers of pixels. This design makes OLED panels brighter while achieving a longer lifespan, which is desirable for products on longer replacement cycles like tablets and laptops.
The report adds that the new Gen 8 OLED production line will be able to produce up to 10 million panels per year starting in 2026. Apple is one of the major stakeholders in the purported renovations, as the company is rumored to be using Gen 6 OLED panels from Samsung for the upcoming OLED iPad Pro. LG Display is also part of the tablet’s display chain, with both LG and Samsung utilizing Gen 6 OLED displays for the device for the time being.
The reported completion date of 2026 aligns with Apple’s rumored desire to expand the adoption of OLED screens beyond the iPad Pro. Research firms predict that the iPad Air and iPad mini could switch to OLED displays around 2026, whereas the first OLED MacBook Pro could arrive no less than a year later.
In the shorter term, the first OLED iPad Pro could be unveiled later this month. The new OLED display will make the device much thinner, with other changes spanning the Face ID camera position, the M3 chip, new accessories, and more.
