El Apple's latest major desktop product with an LCD screen It already has an approximate expiration date. After having taken the OLED panels Following the iPhone, the Apple Watch and, more recently, the iPad Pro, the company has begun to make moves to bring this technology to the all-in-one iMac in its 24-inch version.
According to several reports from the supply chain in South KoreaApple has begun the first formal steps to define what its future 24-inch OLED iMac will look like, what type of panel it will use, and who will manufacture it. Forecasts point to a lengthy timeline, with development potentially extending until... end of the decadeBut the project is already underway.
Apple begins the transition to OLED in the 24-inch iMac
The leaked documents mention that they have been sent from Cupertino requests for information (RFI) and proposals to its two main partners in advanced displays: Samsung Display and LG Display. This process, which is usually the first step before any firm order, defines the basic specifications of the panel that Apple wants for its next 24-inch iMac.
The goal is to maintain the current format: a panel of 24 inches with an approximate resolution of 4,5K (approximately 4.480 x 2.520 pixels) and a density of 218 pixels per inch. This way, Apple would maintain the sharpness and compatibility with macOS scaling and interfaces already offered by the current 24-inch iMac.
Where there would be a visible jump is in brightness. The leaked technical data sheet asks suppliers for a brightness of 600 nits in typical usecompared to the 500 nits of the current generation's LED-backlit LCD screen. On paper, this represents an increase of nearly 20%. placing itself at the level of the Studio Displaybut adding the advantages of OLED technology.
Currently, the 24-inch iMac incorporates a Retina display that already offers wide P3 color gamut and True Tone technologyEverything suggests that Apple would like to retain these features in the OLED version, combining professional color management and automatic color temperature adjustment with the greater contrast and energy efficiency characteristic of organic light-emitting diodes.
Samsung and LG, a battle of QD-OLED and W-OLED technologies
On the manufacturing front, reports agree that Samsung Display and LG Display They have been tasked with presenting proposals based on their large-format OLED technologies, distinct from the classic pure RGB OLED that Apple has historically preferred in smaller screens.
Samsung would rely on its panels, a technology that combines blue OLED emitters with a quantum dot layer to generate the final colors. For the 24-inch iMac, the company would be proposing five-layer configurations (with a BBGBG structure) that include a additional green underlayer specifically designed to increase brightness and extend the lifespan of the panel compared to previous four-layer models.
Meanwhile, LG Display is reportedly working on panels W-OLED (White OLED) with RGBW color filters. In this approach, the panel emits white light, and the filters are responsible for generating the different color channels. Like its competitor, LG is also preparing five-layer (BGBRG) designs to improve peak brightness and durability in sizes between 20 and 30 inches, a particularly demanding range for desktop monitors.
The leaks indicate that Both providers have developed or are developing variants of 5 stacks precisely because Apple demands a sustained high brightness level, resistance to static images (icons, menu bars, windows fixed for hours) and a lifespan in line with that of a desktop computer, which usually spends many hours turned on.
Although the Californian company has made it clear that it continues to view the path of Pure RGB OLEDExperts point out that this technology doesn't yet reliably scale to screen sizes like the iMac's without compromising costs, production, or uniformity. Samsung and LG are reportedly exploring this approach in the longer term, but for this specific model, all indications are that QD-OLED and W-OLED will be the real options on the table.
Calendar: The OLED iMac, lagging behind in the transition
The other major piece of this puzzle is time. Several sources agree that, although the project is already underway, The 24-inch OLED iMac will be one of the last to arrive within Apple's total migration plan towards OLED screens in its mid-range and professional products.
The roadmap puts first the iPad mini The MacBook Pro OLED models, expected around 2026, will be followed by other iPads and laptops in the MacBook Air family. The development of the specific panel for the iMac would fall within a window of 2027 to 2028, with the commercial launch likely somewhat later, depending on the progress of mass production.
Meanwhile, Apple is expected to continue updating the 24-inch iMac with new generations of Apple Silicon chipsRumors mention a desktop model with processors like the M5 or even more powerful variants (Max M5), which would arrive before the jump to OLED and would maintain the current LCD screen, improving above all the performance and perhaps some minor aspects of the design.
In practice, that means that those who are thinking about upgrading their desktop computer in Spain or Europe You won't see an OLED iMac in stores anytime soon.The move fits with Apple's way of working: first consolidate the technology in smaller devices with less production risk, and only then bring it to large-scale equipment where unit costs and factory failure rates are much more critical.
Analysts also point out that this slow pace leaves the Basic iPad as the last bastion of LCD For price reasons, the "Pro" range and mid-range models will adopt OLED gradually. The 24-inch iMac will complete this transition on the desktop, even if it arrives last.
Advantages of OLED in an all-in-one desktop computer
Beyond the brightness and resolution figures, the big news lies in what it implies Using OLED in a desktop computer which many people have on for several hours a day. Compared to LCD panels with LED backlighting, OLED offers much deeper blacks, virtually infinite contrast, and very rich color reproduction, something that is noticeable both when watching HDR content and in photo and video editing tasks.
In European work environments, where long days in front of a screen are common, the combination of lower energy consumption and better brightness management This can impact both electricity bills and visual comfort. The increase to 600 nits would help people work comfortably in brightly lit offices, while pixel-level brightness control allows for dimming static areas without losing image quality.
The reports underline, however, that designing a large OLED panel with high sustained gloss and good scratch resistance It's not trivial. Hence Apple's insistence on multi-layered structures and the use of more durable materials, as well as the close collaboration with Samsung and LG to fine-tune every detail before giving the green light to mass production.
For the end user, especially those in Spain or the rest of Europe looking for an all-in-one computer for design, content creation, or simply to have a clean desktop, a 24-inch OLED iMac could reduce the need for opt for a Mac mini or a Mac Studio along with high-end external monitors. If the integrated screen lives up to the promise of the leaked documentation, many might opt ​​for a single-unit solution without so many components.
In terms of design, current rumors don't suggest major aesthetic changes or an increase in size. Apple's strategy would involve... maintain the 24-inch screen and iconic look of the current model, focusing the evolution on screen technology, the internal components of the device, and the new generation of Apple Silicon chips.
The future 24-inch OLED iMac is shaping up to be the missing movement To complete Apple's commitment to OLED displays across almost its entire product line, albeit at a slower pace than some users would like. The combination of a 4,5K panel with 600 nits of brightness, advanced technologies like QD-OLED or five-layer W-OLED, and new in-house processors points to a more efficient and appealing desktop for those who spend many hours in front of a computer, especially in markets such as the Spanish and European markets where the "all-in-one" format maintains a loyal audience.
