An iMac with an OLED display is in development, according to a fresh supply-chain leak. This would bring a significant upgrade to the look of Apple’s all-in-one desktop computer for the consumer market.
The report comes shortly after a new professional-grade iMac was rumored. Clearly, it’s a big week for Apple desktops.
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Taking iMac to the next level: OLED
The Apple iMac is an all-in-one desktop that combines a powerful M4 chip with a 24-inch display. It delivers fast CPU and GPU performance for everyday tasks, while features like a 12 MP Center Stage camera, six-speaker audio and advanced connectivity (Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3) make it suited for productivity.
Now it seems Apple intends to upgrade the screen. The Korean-language site TheElec reported on Thursday that the Mac maker reached out to Samsung Display and LG Display about supplying OLED panels for a future version of the iMac.
Apple is a big fan of OLED technology (short for organic light-emitting diode), in which each screen pixel glows on its own. The result is a bright, even image with strong contrast. This type of display looks so fantastic that it’s already used for iPhone and Apple Watch, and even the M4 and the M5 iPad Pro.
Better but not bigger
While there are occasional calls for a 27-inch iMac, the latest leak indicates that the OLED iMac will stay at 24 inches and a 4480 × 2520 resolution. The brightness will supposedly increase, though, from 500 nits to 600 nits.
Part of the challenge will be keeping costs down. The iMac with an LCD starts at $1,299. OLED panels cost more to produce, but Apple will likely try not to increase the total price of the product.
Those interested in the all-in-one desktop computer with an upgraded display will have plenty of time to save up for one. “Apple plans to complete the development of iMac OLED panels from 2027 to 2028. The release of the finished product is expected to be later than this,” reports TheElec.
Still, if the rumors pan out, an OLED iMac could breathe new life into an iconic product line that hasn’t seen an overhaul in years.
Colorful and capable, Apple's refreshed all-in-one desktop computer is fun and functional.
- M4 chip for great performance
- Seven color options, with color-matched accessories
- 24-inch 4.5K display looks great
- Limited number of ports
Return of the iMac Pro, too
Those who want a bigger iMac might get their wish. And it’ll supposedly come with a blazing-fast processor, too.
Apple is reportedly developing an iMac Pro with the M5 Max processor. This could have a screen as large as 32 inches… but not an OLED.
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. He’s written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
