New iPad Pro Leak reveals Killer Upgrade- and the first for Apple

New iPad Pro Leak reveals Killer Upgrade- and the first for Apple

The next-generation iPad Pro will be Apple's first device to feature the highly anticipated Mini-LED display technology.

The source of the information is respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, writing in a note to investors seen by AppleInsider. Kuo has made several Mini-LED predictions over the past year, and in this latest prediction, he claims that the technology will be included in Apple's premium tablet line in Q4 2021 or early 2022.

Mini-LEDs are an improvement over regular LED displays because they use smaller diodes. This provides better color and contrast than regular displays. Apple is said to eventually move to an even smaller micro-LED standard, and other analyses suggest that this will be the peak of Apple's display technology over the next five years.

In a previous investor memo, Apple claimed that it would first implement Mini-LEDs in a MacBook or iMac to be released this year, and then roll out to all Apple iPad products. However, as a result of COVID-related confusion, the device was pushed back to 2021.

Furthermore, production of Mini-LED displays will be reduced. Production estimates by Apple's supply partners appear to have been cut in half due to manufacturing issues. However, Apple is also looking to diversify the number of companies manufacturing these displays to increase production and lower costs. The cost of the display is expected to drop 50% by 2021 and another 35% between 2021 and 2022.

Kuo also detailed that Apple likely owns most of the patents on these displays and is also responsible for their design. This sounds very similar to the company's stance on other technologies, such as ditching Intel chipsets to develop the Apple Silicon. This gives Apple more control over the components it uses in its devices, which is important if it wants to remain the world's largest tech company.

If you don't want to wait until next year for the next Apple tablet, fortunately, the company's current tablets are still very good. The new iPad 2020 and the new iPad Air are our new favorite tablets, as is the iPad Pro, which launched earlier this year.

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