It looks like Apple’s anticipated Mini LED iPad Pro could enter mass production in mid to late April, and the OLED iPads could surface in 2022.
Per a research note from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, investors have been advised that the updated iPad Pro could be released in the first half of 2021.
“According to our latest survey, the current production yield and quality have reached Apple’s high standards, so it is expected that assemblers will start mass production of mini LED iPads after mid-to-late April,” Kuo said in Thursday’s note.
The revised timeline synchs with recent rumors regarding a near-future iPad Pro release. Echoing months-old predictions from Kuo, Bloomberg on Wednesday reported that the new tablets, including a 12.9-inch model with Mini LED screen, would be introduced as soon as April. DigiTimes sources cited a similar production schedule.
Kuo also stated that he sees potential integration of OLED screens throughout the iPad line in 2022, although Mini LED will remain exclusive to Apple’s high-end tablet. Kuo stated that he thinks OLED will hit the iPad Air first and might not be seen in the forthcoming iPad Pro.
“However, according to our latest industry survey, if the iPad adopts an OLED display in 2022, it will be the mid-/low-end iPad Air, while the high-end iPad Pro will still use a mini LED display,” Kuo writes.
Where OLED offers some advantages over Mini LED, it might be not be ideal for productivity devices given its image retention and component lifecycle concerns. Apple may be considering these factors where its future iPads and Macs are concerned.
Kuo also cited that Apple has sunk significant resources into Mini LED and will push the hardware as a key differentiator for its productivity device lineup. The specialized screens are expected to grace at least two MacBook Pro models in 2021, with MacBook Air benefitting from the technology in 2022.
Apple’s incorporation of Mini LED is expected to pick up steam over the next two years, and Kuo has forecast display shipments to be 10 million in 2021 and between 20 million and 30 million in 2022.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via AppleInsider and DigiTimes