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Cupertino Today
By the People, for the People
Apple Lays Groundwork for Massive OLED iMac Upgrade
The new display could deliver a dramatic leap in screen quality, but won't arrive until 2029 or 2030.
Mar. 30, 2026 at 8:05pm
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Apple's pursuit of a cutting-edge OLED display for the iMac signals a dramatic leap in visual quality for the company's desktop computers.Cupertino TodayApple is reportedly working with major display makers like Samsung and LG to develop 24-inch OLED panels for a future iMac upgrade. The new display would offer significant improvements in brightness, resolution, and overall visual quality over the current LCD panels. However, the OLED iMac is not expected to launch until 2029 or 2030, leaving current iMac owners waiting several more years for the upgrade.
Why it matters
The shift to OLED displays would represent a major leap forward for the iMac's visual capabilities, delivering richer colors, deeper blacks, and a more immersive viewing experience. This could be particularly beneficial for creative professionals who rely on the iMac for tasks like photo and video editing. However, the long wait time means Apple's desktop users will have to be patient before they can get their hands on this upgraded display technology.
The details
Apple has reached out to Samsung Display, LG Display, and other panel makers to source 24-inch OLED samples with a target peak brightness of 600 nits and a resolution of around 218 pixels per inch (PPI). This would be a notable upgrade from the current iMac's LCD panel. Samsung is expected to be the first to produce samples using its larger-format Quantum Dot OLED (QD-OLED) production lines, while LG is also developing an advanced five-stack design and next-generation eLEAP technology to compete.
- Apple is targeting a 2029 or 2030 launch for the OLED iMac.
- Sample shipments of the 24-inch OLED panels could arrive at Apple headquarters by the second half of 2026.
The players
Samsung Display
A major display manufacturer that is expected to be the first to produce samples of the 24-inch OLED panels for Apple's future iMac.
LG Display
Another display maker that is also developing advanced OLED panel technologies, including a five-stack design and eLEAP, to compete for Apple's iMac upgrade.
What’s next
Apple is reportedly targeting a 2029 or 2030 launch for the OLED iMac, so it will likely be several more years before the upgraded display technology becomes available to consumers.
The takeaway
While the prospect of an OLED-equipped iMac is an exciting one, Apple's desktop users will have to wait patiently for several more years before they can get their hands on this visually impressive upgrade. The long development timeline highlights the technical challenges involved in bringing advanced display technologies to Apple's all-in-one desktop computer.
