Apple’s 2027 iPad Air could introduce OLED technology and a refreshed design as part of the company’s broader push to expand premium displays across its device portfolio.
Apple is reportedly preparing the biggest update to its iPad Air lineup in years, with the tablet expected to receive an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display and a redesigned chassis when the next-generation model launches in early 2027.
The iPad Air has retained the same exterior design since the fourth-generation model debuted in 2020. That redesign introduced flat edges, slimmer bezels, an edge-to-edge display, and a Touch ID sensor integrated into the power button. Since then, Apple has updated the device with successive M-series processors, including the M1, M2, M3, and M4 chips, while leaving its external design unchanged.
According to reports, the 2027 iPad Air is expected to feature a single-stack LTPS OLED display supplied by Samsung Display. The panel is likely to offer better contrast, deeper blacks, and improved power efficiency than the current LCD display, although it is expected to be less advanced than the tandem OLED technology used in the iPad Pro.
The upcoming tablet is also rumoured to be powered by Apple’s M5 processor, delivering improved performance and efficiency over the current generation.
The OLED upgrade is part of Apple’s broader strategy to expand OLED technology across its product portfolio. The company is also expected to introduce OLED panels in future versions of the MacBook Air and iMac.
Industry observers believe the iPad Air could also receive a new physical design. Apple has previously paired major display upgrades with significant hardware changes. For example, the 2024 iPad Pro introduced a thinner chassis alongside its OLED display.
The rumoured iPad mini 8 may offer clues about Apple’s future tablet design. Reports suggest the device could launch later this year with a redesigned enclosure, an OLED display, a vibration-based speaker system that eliminates traditional speaker grilles, and improved water resistance. Since the iPad Air and iPad mini have shared a similar design language since 2021, the Air could adopt several of these features in its next refresh.
However, Apple has not officially confirmed any details about the next-generation iPad Air. While reports point to an OLED display and the M5 chip arriving in 2027, there is currently no definitive confirmation that the tablet will receive a complete redesign.
If the reported plans materialise, the 2027 iPad Air would represent the most significant update to the lineup since its 2020 redesign.
