The last time Apple changed the design of the iPad Air was in 2020, when the 4th generation iPad Air model was launched with square bezels, a bezel-less screen and a Touch ID fingerprint sensor integrated on the power button.
Since then, versions using M1, M2, M3 and M4 chips have only been upgraded with internal hardware, without changing the appearance.
That may change next year.
According to sources, Apple plans to equip OLED screens for the iPad Air in early 2027, using a single-layer LTPS OLED panel provided by Samsung Display. In addition, the device is likely to be equipped with the M5 chip.
This is considered the biggest upgrade of the iPad Air in many years, and also part of Apple's roadmap to expand OLED screens to many other product lines.
Switching to OLED screens is also considered a suitable time for Apple to completely redesign the iPad Air. Previously, when the iPad Pro switched to OLED in 2024, Apple carried out the first overhaul since 2018 with a significantly thinner body.
Notably, the iPad mini 8 is expected to be launched in October this year with a new design, OLED screen, silent speaker system and water resistance - features that appear for the first time on the iPad line.
From the past until now, iPad Air and iPad mini have always had a similar design language. In 2021, iPad mini switched to a design similar to iPad Air and continued to be maintained on iPad mini 7. Therefore, if iPad mini 8 is actually refreshed this year, it is likely that iPad Air will inherit that design in 2027.
