Is the OLED screen enough to make you wait another year to buy a new iPad Air, or is LCD still good enough to meet most needs?
According to unofficial information posted by many sources in the supply chain and technology industry analysts in July 2026, Apple is said to be preparing a notable upgrade for the iPad Air line expected to launch in early 2027. Up to now, Apple has not announced or confirmed any technical specifications of this product.
The most talked about point is that iPad Air can use an OLED screen for the first time. If this becomes reality, this will be the most important change to the Air line since Apple introduced the new design in 2020. According to reports, Apple is likely to still differentiate the iPad Air and iPad Pro by using a lower-cost single-layer OLED panel, instead of the Tandem OLED technology appearing on the iPad Pro.
In addition to the OLED screen, unofficial sources also say that the new iPad Air will be equipped with an Apple M5 chip to increase AI processing performance, graphics and professional tasks. The two screen sizes of 11 inches and 13 inches are said to continue.
Particularly, information about the 60 Hz screen and completely new design as shown in the image spreading online has not been confirmed by Apple. Some newspapersReports suggest that Apple may continue to keep the 60 Hz refresh rate to create distance with the iPad Pro, but there are also opinions that these parameters can still change before the product officially launches. Therefore, this is still just a rumor and cannot be considered official information.
Summary table of available information
Category Status
OLED screen Rumors from the supply chain
Apple M5 Chip Rumors from many sources
Sizes 11 inches and 13 inches Rumor, consistent with the current line
60 Hz refresh rate Not confirmed by Apple
New design Not yet confirmed by Apple
Launch date early 2027 Forecasts from Bloomberg and supply chain tracking sources
Quick comparison
Current iPad Air M4 criteria New generation iPad Air according to rumors
OLED LCD screen
Chip Apple M4 Apple M5
Sizes 11 inches and 13 inches 11 inches and 13 inches
Status Released Not official
If Apple really brings OLED to the iPad Air line, the gap in display quality between iPad Air and iPad Pro will be significantly narrowed. However, Apple is likely to still keep some differences such as screen technology, brightness, scanning frequency or other high-end features to maintain product hierarchy. Until Apple officially announces it, all information about the 2027 iPad Air OLED should still be considered rumors and subject to change.
