Just when you thought we’d go through the year without a really exciting iMac rumor, here comes a report from Korean publication The Elec. According to its report, Apple has filed “requests for information” with Samsung Display and LG Display regarding OLED displays that could be used for the future iMac.
An RFI is basically requested when a company asks suppliers to provide specifications and other details about the part that the company needs to develop the product. According to The Elec, Apple stated in its submissions that it was looking for a 24-inch OLED display that would offer 218 pixels per inch and 600 nits. This is the same size and density as the iMac’s current LED-based display, but with higher brightness.
However, there is a big caveat that The Elec points out: “RGB OLED technology capable of reliably mass-producing 20- to 30-inch displays has not yet been developed.” Mass production has been for much smaller displays, so if Apple continues to produce the OLED iMac, suppliers will need to develop a manufacturing process to create the displays, which will take time.
The Elect reports that Apple may be done development of an OLED iMac by 2027 or 2028. If all goes to plan, the OLED iMac will ship in 2027 at the earliest (if development finishes in the first part of the year). But it will most likely be available in 2028 or 2029. It is also possible that Apple will decide to cancel the project during the development phase.
Apple has been gradually upgrading its devices from LED displays to OLED displays. Apple’s current iPhone lineup uses OLED displays. The iPad Pro is the only iPad with an OLED display, but reports indicate that Apple plans to bring it to the iPad mini and iPad Air in the next year or two. Reports also stated that Apple is planning to release a MacBook Pro with an OLED touchscreen in the second half of 2026.