Apple Plans OLED iMac Upgrade, but the Wait Could Be Long

Let there be light — as in more light, as in a brighter screen for the iMac. Apple is reportedly working on outfitting its desktop computer with an OLED screen that will be 20% brighter than the current model.

South Korean newspaper The Elec reported that Apple sent its specs for the OLED version to both Samsung Display and LG Display for them to bid on the project. Apple reportedly wants a 24-inch display panel with 600 nits brightness, a 20% jump from the 500 nits currently used on iMacs. (A nit is a measure of brightness for screens — one nit equals one candela per square meter. The average candle produces about one candela.)

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In terms of other specifications, the screen size (24 inches) and resolution (218 pixels per inch) will remain the same as those on current iMacs, which utilize a liquid crystal display.

OLED stands for organic light-emitting diode and is a newer, more expensive screen technology that typically offers better image quality than LCD. We break down the differences in technology between LCD and OLED here.

A representative for Apple didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

The downside is that iMac fans will have to be patient to get a brighter screen. The Elec report says development of the iMac OLED panels won’t be complete until 2027 or even 2028, with launch expected sometime after that.

It’s all part of Apple’s movement toward OLED displays for its devices. The company has already done so with the Apple Watch, iPhone, and iPad, and the MacBook Pro is reportedly going to be OLED in 2026.

More from CNET: OLED vs. LED: What’s the Best TV Display Technology for You?

YouTuber Austin Evans, who has 5.7 million subscribers on his channel where he reviews gadgets and cutting-edge tech, is excited about iMacs getting a brighter screen.

“I am very excited for this,” Evans said. “My main office computer is an iMac M3, it’s certainly not a perfect device, but I do think it fits a nice, albeit small, niche in the lineup. … Going OLED would absolutely be an improvement to image quality.”

Evans also disagrees with those who say the iMac isn’t robust enough.

“There’s an interesting thread, especially among creators, that the iMac isn’t powerful enough for pro uses, but I have to disagree,” he said. “It might not compete with the Mac Mini on price to performance, but with an OLED, it could be an incredibly well-rounded package.”