12.9-Inch 'iPad Pro' Again Rumored to Have Oxide LCD Display

[fertilized-egg]

So much misleading (not wrong) info here

Ok, what the hell is Oxide LCD? What type of LCD do the iPads use now? And what are its advantages?

Oxide LCD technology, also referred to as “IGZO,” boasts a higher electron mobility than traditional LCD panels.

From the context of the news story, it seems that perhaps Oxide LCD display panels are less expensive, does that mean lower image quality or pixel depth?

I have updated the front page article with more context about Oxide LCD displays and their advantages.

OK. Let's clarify a few things, I'm not an expert by any means but I think even in my non-expert eyes too many people are misled here (disclaimer: I could be very wrong) JPIS has the right information but its implication may be a bit difficult to understand for many.

- Is Oxide a LCD technology?
-- No. It's a semiconductor technology for transistors. Transistors "drive" the displays but the actual display technology is independent of Oxide. You can actually have an AMOLED display with Oxide transistors.

- Why is Oxide such a big deal?
-- "For Dummies" version: Oxide transistors compared to the old A-Si technology lets more backlight to go through, meaning you don't need as much light/battery for the same level of brightness. This means thinner devices, brighter displays, or higher resolutions. This is especially important for high resolution tablets and potentially even TVs.
-- As a side note, Sharp Display has been hyping it forever and it's gained almost a mythical status in some circles because the hype has been going on for so long.

- What other technologies are being used?
-- We have A-Si, Oxide(IGZO), and LTPS.

- Is Oxide the best technology among those?
-- No, LTPS is thought to be the best technology but it's generally far too expensive for large displays. LTPS is the technology used in best phone displays, including iPhone and Galaxy's screens. A-Si is the traditional technology but it's reaching its limit in today's high pixel density world.

- Then Oxide doesn't help iPhones?
-- Correct. iPhones already have the better technology.

- Do Oxide LCDs have better/worse image quality?
-- It shouldn't affect it directly. On the other hand it does allow more efficient use of battery which means a more accurate LCD color filter, etc. can be used and improve the final image quality, or just thinner devices.

- Why isn't Apple already using Oxide?
-- Reportedly the technology is really difficult to implement in manufacturing. Their suppliers have been trying but so far they haven't been able to get enough production to satisfy Apple's demand.

 

[redheeler]

I don't get how you can claim OLED vs Oxide is better when these aren't two solid categories.

There are many variants of OLED screens just as there are LCD variants (TN, IPS, IGZO, etc).

OLED does not have a backlight and each individual pixel is an LED. That makes it a completely different technology from all variants of LCD.

 

[NT1440]

OLED does not have a backlight and each individual pixel is an LED. That makes it a completely different technology from all variants of LCD.

But why is that better in its current implementation?

OLED and AMOLED is notorious for having color accuracy issues...currently.

 

[fertilized-egg]

OLED does not have a backlight and each individual pixel is an LED. That makes it a completely different technology from all variants of LCD.

No. As I explained above OLED is still based on the same backend transistor technology as the LCDs. I believe the large OLED TVs available such as the LG ones already use Oxide OLED displays.

 

[redheeler]

But why is that better in its current implementation?

OLED and AMOLED is notorious for having color accuracy issues...currently.

Most of those issues can be fixed with a simple calibration. In exchange you'd get blacker blacks which nicely improves viewing quality (while also making backlight bleed a thing of the past) and slightly better battery life since unlike LCD black pixels don't consume any energy.

 

[yakapo]

I don't get 13" iPad unless it capable of doing both IOS and OS X.

I won't buy another iPad just because it's 13" with the same apps.

I must be missing something.

Same here. I'm very interested if it's running osx and ios. Especially if it's lighter than the Surface pro 3.

 

[nfl46]

What feature? This is IGZO. This rumor is just recycled from last year replacing the iPad with the iPad Pro. The tech is not new and has been in production by Sharp for a while now.

From July of 2014: http://www.patentlyapple.com/patent...oxide-lcd-displays-for-next-gen-ipad-air.html

I was referring to the other features such as USB 3.0 port and split screen.

 

[69Mustang]

But why is that better in its current implementation?

OLED and AMOLED is notorious for having color accuracy issues...currently.

Not so much currently. The overall best rated table screen is AMOLED. It's the SG Tab 10.5. Apparently the color accuracy wasn't really an issue of AMOLED. It was more of Samsungs decision to saturate the screen for impact. The iPad does have the best rated LCD screen though.

http://www.displaymate.com/Color_Accuracy_ShootOut_1.htm

 

[DMinTX]

We get you. MS paid you to keep plugging their stuff. Go away troll.

Why in the world do you think MS paid me? I said nothing negative about Apple. Geez.

Apple has a long track record of entering a space that others are already in with the refined product that takes over the space (iPod, anyone?).

I think an iPad Pro that was a 12-ish inch tablet with a detachable keyboard would relegate the Surface Pro 3 to distant 2nd place in that space in a matter of a year or so.