iMac Switching to OLED Screen Soon: Future Models to Get Major Display Upgrade!

Apple Considers OLED Display for iMac

According to a report from The Elec, Apple has expressed interest in incorporating an OLED display into its iMac computers. The tech giant has reportedly reached out to both Samsung Display and LG Display to gather information on the feasibility of this project. The desired specifications include maintaining the current 24-inch screen size with a resolution of 218 pixels per inch, while increasing the brightness from 500 nits to at least 600 nits. There is no mention of upgrading the refresh rate from 60 Hz to 120 Hz, and it’s unclear if this would involve the ProMotion technology, which dynamically adjusts refresh rates to save energy on devices like the MacBook Pro, although this feature is less critical for the iMac as it does not operate on battery power.

Early Stages and Production Challenges

At this point, Apple’s inquiry to its suppliers is just an initial step before any formal procurement or production plans are made. Currently, neither Samsung nor LG produce OLED panels that meet the specifications required for the iMac, indicating that new development and a dedicated production line would be necessary. The Elec suggests that the development of the display is not likely to be completed before 2027 or 2028 at the earliest, with the commercial release of the OLED-equipped iMac expected even later.

Potential Future iMac Models

This timeline suggests that the earliest we could see an OLED iMac would be in the iteration of the iMac M8 or M9. The possibility of an iMac Pro with an OLED display has not been discussed; if such a model is in the plans for the coming years, as indicated by the recent discovery of a prototype equipped with an M5 Max chip, it would more likely feature Mini-LED technology similar to that used in the current MacBook Pro.

MacBook Pro to Lead Apple’s OLED Transition

The MacBook Pro is expected to be the first Mac model to switch to an OLED display, with the M6 Pro and M6 Max models anticipated to launch by the end of 2026 or early 2027. This represents a significant shift for Apple, as OLED technology offers perfect contrast, increased brightness, reduced thickness and weight, and lower power consumption. Additionally, Apple plans to introduce touch capabilities along with a version of macOS optimized for touch interactions. As for the MacBook Air, it is not expected to receive an OLED update until 2028.