12.9-Inch iPad Air No Longer Expected to Feature Mini-LED Display

[MacRumors]

Apple's upcoming 12.9-inch iPad Air will feature an LCD display like its smaller sibling, according to Display Supply Chain Consultants CEO and analyst Ross Young.

Earlier this month, Young said that the larger iPad Air would feature a mini-LED display like the current iPad Pro of the same size. The existing 10.9-inch iPad Air is equipped with a standard LCD panel, and the move to mini-LED technology for the 12.9-inch model would have provided increased brightness for HDR content, deeper blacks, lower power consumption, and more. He said the 12.9-inch iPad Air would use leftover mini-LED display panels from the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, with the 10.9-inch model sticking with LCDs.

Now, in a post to subscribers on X (formerly Twitter), he said that this is no longer expected to be the case due to the panel's high cost, despite confirmation from multiple supply chain sources. As a result, both iPad Air models will feature LCD displays, clearly delineating them from the iPad Pro, which is expected to move to OLED.

However, Young added that there may be a new iPad model with a 12.9-inch mini-LED display introduced in the fourth quarter of 2024. Speculatively, the device could be a high-end iPad Air, a low-end iPad Pro, or something else entirely. Next-generation iPad Air and iPad Pro models are expected to be announced at Apple's "Let loose" event on May 7.

Article Link: 12.9-Inch iPad Air No Longer Expected to Feature Mini-LED Display

 

[AirunJae]

PikachuShocked.gif

 

[abatabia]

I’m going to get flak for this but: there are way too many iPads.

 

[Fuzzball84]

Not really a surprise is it… not if its pricing is to remain competitive, or be placed competitively in the lineup.

Why let the Air have it, when you can put it in the pro and do the up sell?

 

[TheLinkster]

I won't believe it until I hear from Gurman.

Just kidding.

 

[coffeemilktea]

I guess this is good news for people with vision problems who can't look at OLED displays for very long? (though I wonder if mini-LED would also cause similar problems for them? 🤔)

Either way, I'm not surprised; I kind of figured that nicer screen and 120hz refresh rate were one of the biggest selling points of the iPad Pro at this point, at least compared to the Air.

 

[Realityck]

From 9to5 article

Ross Young shared the revised iPad Air news with paid subscribers this morning. He says that while multiple supply chain sources said the larger 2024 iPad Air would feature mini-LED tech, he has just heard from “even more supply chain sources” that it won’t be happening.

He highlights that it “makes sense” mini-LED won’t be included with the 12.9-inch iPad Air as it’s a more expensive move.

However, one interesting piece to this is that Ross is hearing that a new 12.9-inch iPad with mini-LED may arrive in Q4 2024.
=====
So maybe not in initial release but later this year?

 

[5097842]

This rumor never made sense. They need to differentiate the Air from the Pro.

 

[Fuzzball84]

I’m going to get flak for this but: there are way too many iPads.

I come from 2027… there are now 34 iPads in the lineup..

Consider yourself lucky 😂

 

[now i see it]

I wonder what he return rate will be for the 12.9 OLED Pro

 

[harold.ji]

Mother Nature would be angry about those wasted leftover mini-LED panels from 12.9 iPad Pro!

 

[VisceralRealist]

Well, there goes the slightest bit of hope I had that an Air product would finally see a more advanced display technology. Nope. Gotta motivate people to spend money on the Pros...

Looks like MaxTech will be in need of another "I was wrong" video.

 

[Fuzzball84]

Wonder if they had the option of an artificially capped mini LED for the Air.

Set in software to reduce mini LED back light to half resolution of the Pro.

Problem halved, problem solved 🤔

 

[derdante]

However, Young added that there may be a new iPad model with a 12.9-inch mini-LED display introduced in the fourth quarter of 2024.

iPad Pro SE confirmed

 

[CWallace]

Not really a surprise is it… not if its pricing is to remain competitive, or be placed competitively in the lineup.

Why let the Air have it, when you can put it in the pro and do the up sell?

The 12.9" iPad Pro already has it, but with the Pros going to dual-stack OLED next month, that is probably why this rumor started - "Apple has a 12.9" MiniLED iPad display without a model anymore, so why not put it in the new rumored 12.9" iPad Air?"

Your comment on remaining price competitive is likely why this is not happening - whatever the 12.9" Air is going to sell for, adding that display would add $100-150 to that price.

 

[Johnnyboy55]

I come from 2027… there are now 34 iPads in the lineup..

Consider yourself lucky 😂

Not including the entry level and mini

 

[Rogifan]

I’m going to get flak for this but: there are way too many iPads.

That‘s what you get when you design products to meet price points.

 

[Kylo83]

It would make the pro not worth it

 

[cocky jeremy]

I’m going to get flak for this but: there are way too many iPads.

Yup. Their product line makes no sense anymore.

 

[zelativity]

High-end iPad Air? Low-end iPad Pro? I mean it's not like the iPad lineup as it is isn't confusing enough right? /s

 

[mac4good84]

I’m going to get flak for this but: there are way too many iPads.

I can’t argue with this; they have iPad Pro, Air, iPad and iPad mini but then the Pro has the 12.9 inch mini led while the 11 inch doesn’t, you got 9th and 10th gen iPad regulars…lol yeah man 2010 you had an iPad with WiFi only and WiFi plus cellular and the 3 storage options. Done. Amazing how time flies!

 

[bodhisattva]

That‘s what you get when you design products to meet price points.

Simple solution. Three options based on size. Mini, Standard, and Max. Then spec out in the build of your iPad the way we do desktop and MacBooks. You spec your order to your liking. problem solved and we have only 3 official iPads. You choose, air versus pro, LED/OLED/Mini LED, 8GB-2TB.... you build it. We will call is iBuild-a-Pad. Then everyone can be happy

 

[Salt City Ute]

This is why I take rumors with a grain of salt. Sure rumors can be fun, but I don’t rely on them.

 

[abatabia]

I can’t argue with this; they have iPad Pro, Air, iPad and iPad mini but then the Pro has the 12.9 inch mini led while the 11 inch doesn’t, you got 9th and 10th gen iPad regulars…lol yeah man 2010 you had an iPad with WiFi only and WiFi plus cellular and the 3 storage options. Done. Amazing how time flies!

I mean if the software did MORE for the pro than the air that would be one thing.

 

[McWetty]

I’m going to get flak for this but: there are way too many iPads.

I kind of wonder if Apple will eventually move to a BTO option for iPads (and iPhones) for any tech outside the base model; like they do for Macs. They could have 1 iPad, and if the consumer wanted a better screen, that would cost them $200 extra or something. It would solve the lineup cannibalism.