Apple’s mid-range tablet has remained fairly the same for the past seven years, when it picked up the flat-sided design that made it feel modern at that time. Since then, it has received several updates over the years, but the general design language has remained the same. While we do appreciate faster chips and a larger 13-inch version, we believe it’s time the iPad Air gets its overdue ‘Pro’ treatment.
That could finally happen next year.
Apple’s OLED Move Could Mean More Than A Better Screen
As per the latest from MacRumors, Apple is expected to bring OLED display technology to the iPad Air in early 2027. Samsung Display is reportedly set to supply the panels, with Apple using a single-stack LTPS OLED panel instead of the tandem OLED display found on the iPad Pro.
So no, the Air probably isn’t getting the exact same screen as the iPad Pro.
This is kind of expected from Apple, as it needs reasons for people to spend more on the iPad Pro, and display quality is one of the clearest ones. But OLED would still be a major upgrade for the iPad Air, especially if Apple uses the switch as a reason to update the rest of the design.
We’ve already seen that playbook, and it means we have a pretty good idea where the company is headed.
When Apple moved the iPad Pro to OLED in 2024, it didn’t just give it a nicer screen. It also decided to make the tablet thinner and refreshed the hardware in a way that made the whole thing feel new again.
The iPad Air could use that same kind of moment, probably taking design cues from the iPad mini 8 as well, which is scheduled to launch later this year.
Apart from the OLED panel, the iPad mini 8 is also expected to get a redesigned enclosure, water resistance, and a new vibration-based speaker system that could remove the need for speaker holes.
That may sound like a mini-specific upgrade, but the iPad mini has borrowed from the Air before. It wouldn’t be too surprising if the next Air returned the favor.
The iPad Air Doesn’t Need More Power As Much As It Needs A Point
This isn’t a confirmed redesign leak at this point, but the OLED part has been mentioned for a while, and it only makes sense for the company to adopt it now. The redesign angle comes from Apple’s recent iPad pattern and what’s rumored for the next iPad mini.
Still, it makes sense.
The iPad Air is already fast enough for most people, and while another M-series chip would look nice on a spec sheet, it wouldn’t fix the real issue. The Air doesn’t feel stale because it’s slow; it feels stale because Apple has spent years making it better on the inside while leaving the outside mostly alone.
A thinner body, OLED display, cleaner speaker design, or even water resistance would do more than another predictable chip upgrade.
The iPad Air has spent years being the sensible choice, but the next version of iPad Pro will receive further enahcements, including the vapor chamber cooling system.
Next year, it might finally get to feel like the exciting one.
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