Apple's 2024 OLED iPad Pro: All the Rumors So Far

[MacRumors]

Apple is developing OLED technology for the iPad, and the new displays are expected to come to the iPad Pro models in May 2024.

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This guide aggregates everything we know about Apple's plans for the OLED iPad Pro.
Sizing

Apple is expected to offer the first OLED iPads in sizes that are similar to the current iPad Pro sizes, providing one smaller 11.1-inch model and a larger 13.1-inch model. In the future, OLED iPad models could be as large as 15 inches, but Apple is sticking to smaller screen sizes for now.

Rumors suggest that Apple supplier BOE is developing OLED displays as large as 15 inches, which could be used for a larger-sized iPad. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is considering iPads that exceed 12.9 inches, and in 2021, he claimed that larger sizes were a "couple of years down the road, but could be scrapped all together.

The OLED iPad Pro models could be much thinner than the current LED versions thanks to the new display technology. The larger 12.9-inch iPad Pro, for example, could be more than 1mm thinner.

• Current 11-inch iPad Pro - 247.6mm x 178.5mm x 5.9 mm
• Upcoming 11-inch iPad Pro - 249.7mm x 177.5mm x 5.1mm

• Current 12.9-inch iPad Pro - 280.6mm x 214.9mm x 6.4mm
• Upcoming 13-inch iPad Pro - 281.5mm x 215.5mm x 5.0mm

CAD drawings of the upcoming ~11-inch and ~13-inch iPad Pro models give us some insight into just how thin the tablets will be.

11-inch 2024 iPad Pro​

CAD drawings of unreleased Apple devices often leak out of Apple's factories in China and other countries because the information is so valuable to case makers. Case makers use these measurements to design cases for new products in order to be the first to market with a protective case for a new device size.

13-inch 2024 iPad Pro​

OLED Improvements

Compared to the mini-LED technology that Apple uses for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro at the current time, OLED will bring deeper blacks, faster refresh rates, and improved contrast.

Apple is said to be using "by far the best OLED tablet panels on the market" for the iPad Pro models, with support for LTPO (a more power efficient form of OLED), a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, and a tandem stack and glass thinning that will bring "ultra-thin and light displays" that support high brightness, extended battery life, and a long lifetime.

With an OLED display, the brightness of each pixel can be controlled individually, which means TV shows, movies, and other content that uses high dynamic range lighting will look much more realistic and true-to-life than on a mini-LED display, depending on how high Apple can boost brightness. OLED displays are also known for having better viewing angles than LED displays, but this is of less importance on a tablet-sized device than something like a TV.

OLED displays are more efficient than mini-LED displays, especially with the dual-stack technology that Apple plans to use. We can expect improved battery life on the OLED-equipped iPad Pro models, and it could facilitate always-on display technology on the iPad.

OLED technology can have downsides like burn-in and issues with maximum brightness, but Apple is using technology that will mitigate these problems. Unfortunately, it could make the first iPad Pro models much pricier.

Apple is rumored to be aiming for "unrivaled" image quality, as well as a design that cuts down on the thickness and weight of the iPad display.

Other New Display Technology

Apple could also add a matte screen option that's similar to the Studio Display's nano-texture glass, which would be offered in addition to a standard glossy finish. The matte screen features -4° to +29° of haze and Apple could advertise some kind of blue light blocking technology to protect the eyes. Matte finishes on displays are often designed to minimize glare and reflections.

Apple is planning to cut down on the size of the bezels of the iPad Pro display, and the bezels could be around 10 to 15 percent thinner.

M-Series Chip Technology

There is a "strong possibility" that Apple might use the M4 chip for the iPad Pro, and it would be the first device to get Apple's next-generation AI-focused processor. The M4 is rumored to have an upgraded Neural Engine and other optimizations aimed specifically at artificial intelligence.

If Apple does not opt for the M4, the new models will feature the M3 chip that was first used in the MacBook Pro and iMac models. Built on a 3-nanometer process, the M3 chip has a faster CPU and GPU compared to the M2 chip in the current iPad Pro models. Either chip will be a major update for the iPad Pro over the prior-generation M2... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: Apple's 2024 OLED iPad Pro: All the Rumors So Far

 

[redbeard331]

I will need one of these for photoshop.

 

[Crow_Servo]

Almost doubling the price seems steep to me, but I’m otherwise interested.

 

[Kierkegaarden]

I think this rumor is describing an iPad Pro that will run macOS and have 5G built in.

 

[syklee26]

OLED is nice but is it almost double the price nice? Not so sure about that. The only way I buy this is if 15 inch version is available and additional features are added.

 

[ghanwani]

Is there a difference in OLED as used by Apple vs others (e.g. Samsung)?

 

[Tacoisland55]

2025? I used to be a big fan of apple, but their products are falling so far behind the competition it’s crazy. Asus has way better OLED products already and it’s 2023. I was in Best Buy today looking at the laptops and there are plenty of laptops that surpass apples look now.

I feel like apple is on borrowed time. Nothing they have is that cool anymore.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I just want a 15" iPad. That is all I want from an iPad.

 

[Realityck]

A March report from Korean site The Elec suggests that OLED displays will make the iPad Pro models much more expensive. The 11-inch OLED iPad Pro could be priced starting at $1,500, while the 13-inch model could be priced starting at $1,800.

Current specs

• 11-inch (diagonal) LED backlit Multi‑Touch display with IPS technology
• 12.9-inch (diagonal) mini-LED backlit Multi‑Touch display with IPS technology

So the first question is do both the 11" and 12.9" need OLED? Does the OLED really cost that much more than a mini-LED? You already have the 14.2" Mini-LED M1 Pro MBP not that expensive, does the M2 12.9" iPad Pro say using a larger 14.2" screen make it really that much more expensive?

 

[teh_hunterer]

I think this rumor is describing an iPad Pro that will run macOS and have 5G built in.

Wishful thinking, but I'll wish along with you.

 

[corinthos]

In 2027, Apple will release a brand spanking new, next generation iPad Pro, with micro-LED screen, and still lacking full blown apps, file system, etc.

 

[Rychiar]

At those prices these better be the combo ipad/macbook s cus iPad functional just can’t justify that expense

 

[oofio2461]

So the Ipad's were always LCD? I never noticed it..

 

[lovehateapple]

There's no way I'd pay $1,800 for an ipad, especially since this is only the starting price. To get one with enough storage and cellular connectivity will be much more.

 

[mjz_5]

I only use an iPad for watching tv. I guess I won’t be able to afford a larger one

 

[rjohnstone]

Is there a difference in OLED as used by Apple vs others (e.g. Samsung)?

Only difference is who is making them.
Apple already uses some Samsung OLED displays in the iPhone and Apple Watch.
Samsung uses their own OLED displays in their higher end Tab S lineup.
Apple is sourcing iPad displays from another manufacturer.

 

[Lioness~]

I feel like apple is on borrowed time. Nothing they have is that cool anymore.

Apple have never been the coolest, that's not them. If that is what you want from them, move on.
Apple is in it for the combination of quality products and how they seamless work together.
When you have the right combination of Apple products for your workflow you'll know how good it is.

Personally, a 15" iPad, nah.
I'm waiting for a 12" MacBook ☺️

 

[Baritone_Guy]

Current specs

• 11-inch (diagonal) LED backlit Multi‑Touch display with IPS technology
• 12.9-inch (diagonal) mini-LED backlit Multi‑Touch display with IPS technology

So the first question is do both the 11" and 12.9" need OLED? Does the OLED really cost that much more than a mini-LED? You already have the 14.2" Mini-LED M1 Pro MBP not that expensive, does the M2 12.9" iPad Pro say using a larger 14.2" screen make it really that much more expensive?

Normal OLED is not that much more. Samsung has been doing it for years on their tablets. It is the “super duper deluxe” version that Apple is potentially planning to use that requires a whole new manufacturing technology.

Pass for me. Others may see the value.

 

[newyorksole]

I just want a 15" iPad. That is all I want from an iPad.

girl same! 15” iPad Pro and 15” MacBook Air and I’ll be set for a while. 😍

 

[ghanwani]

Only difference is who is making them.
Apple already uses some Samsung OLED displays in the iPhone and Apple Watch.
Samsung uses their own OLED displays in their higher end Tab S lineup.
Apple is sourcing iPad displays from another manufacturer.

Does Apple also use AMOLED?

 

[patent10021]

Double the price for twenty times the physiological impact on your ocular system due to pwm. Sounds like a great deal.

OLED and Mini-LED need to die.

And if you're wondering where I got 20x from, I just did what Apple does on its performance comparison charts. I inferred arbitrary targets on the Y axis from guesstimates on the X axis.

 

[Tacoisland55]

Apple have never been the coolest, that's not them. If that is what you want from them, move on.
Apple is in it for the combination of quality products and how they seamless work together.
When you have the right combination of Apple products for your workflow you'll know how good it is.

Personally, a 15" iPad, nah.
I'm waiting for a 12" MacBook ☺️

Not true. They used to innovate and be way ahead of everybody else. And you could get the 12” premium dell laptop that looks like a fantastic product. I have a mac, iPhone and MacBook, it’s just whatever.

 

[Christopher Kim]

I don't buy the price point - maybe that's estimating what an OLED iPad Pro would have to sell for at today's OLED manufacturing costs to keep the same % margin or something (would like to know the math behind it but not surprised if this is how they assumed it, in order to come up with the highest $ estimate possible to get clicks), but:

- OLED screen costs hopefully come down over next 1-2 years as the mfg process matures (especially if this is a more advanced / complex version of OLED screen)
- I don't think the market would bear a cost increase this large. While an OLED screen with inky blacks and amazing contrast interest us enthusiasts, at the end of the day, I don't think most consumers would care enough about it to justify anywhere close to this big of a price increase
- Given this, if Apple really wants to do OLED iPad Pros, I think timing will be pushed until costs to manufacture and keep "acceptable margins" for Apple, with something like a $200 price increase across the board. That's something that I think would be in the realm of possible where most customers could justify with the right story/narrative from Apple on the benefits of OLED. $799 -> $1500 for the base 11" is way beyond what I would even consider the "non-starter" price point

 

[falainber]

Is there a difference in OLED as used by Apple vs others (e.g. Samsung)?

As far as the tablets are concerned the difference is huge. Samsung has been using OLED for about a decade and Apple still can't produce an OLED tablet.

 

[Ion-X]

An OLED iPad can’t come soon enough. I want to upgrade from my 10th-gen LCD to a brighter screen with better contrast. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro is simply way too big for my uses.