iPad Pro Delays Could Be Down to Poor OLED Panel Production Yields

[DEMinSoCAL]

Somehow, I doubt OLED panels from 9 years ago were dual layer like Apple is requiring for the iPad. Not to mention burn-in protection features, and Apples just generally high quality standards.

I can buy a Samsung AMOLED tablet each year for 3-4 years, trade in last years model, and get the latest technology and spend the same as ONE Apple iPad with OLED. Not sure $1500-$1800 (as mentioned in a MR article) is worth it?

Plus, layers? What's the chance those layers will separate at some point enough to cause display issues? Does anyone else use dual layer OLED that there is a reliability history?

 

[Starflyer]

Make one in Space Black and all will be forgiven.

 

[jjudson]

This Apple obsession with OLED is ridiculous. For the use case, the current screen of the iPad is fine. The tablet has far more challenges to meet than the display -- most notably a sad, tired, played-out OS that doesn't even touch the power of the device. Until they re-imagine that, all the spec bumps in the world are useless and excessively costly to the consumer...

 

[AppleFanBoyCAN]

Not me. LG was making OLED long before Samsung and reselling to other manufacturers like Sony. Much rather have an LG, which will come in the 13 iPad Pro I will be purchasing. 🙂

I second that! And I've had a great experience with LG OLED TVs so far! I think they're the best OLED TVs out there.

 

[Aiii83]

This Apple obsession with OLED is ridiculous. For the use case, the current screen of the iPad is fine.

I mean it’s okay if you think LCD is fine, but that doesn’t make LCD good. Ever. There’s a reason my TV is an OLED. There’s a reason the Steam Deck got an OLED screen. There’s a reason your phone has an OLED screen.

You can make a case for Mini-LED, if you’re willing to overlook the blooming, especially if you’re never using it in a dark room or trying to read white text on a black background or using HDR, but for the LCD on the 11-inch with it‘s grey blacks it’s not even worth a discussion. Yes, it’s probably one of the best LCD’s they could make, but even the best LCD is crap compared to the most mediocre of OLED’s. If Apple delivers on the OLED quality, it’s an ocean of difference.

The 11-inch still being a “Liquid Retina” LCD in this day and age, especially for the price they’re charging, is a complete joke, honestly. So yeah, let “Apple be obsessed” with bringing a good screen to their expensive tablet, please.

 

[sunny5]

But Samsung has no issues making OLED panels for Galaxy tablets for the last 9 years? Sure…

Do you really think all OLED are same? Gosh.

 

[sunny5]

As I mentioned this a long time ago, OLED panel that Apple wanted is extremely difficult to manufacture because of these factors:

- Two Stack Tandem: Already 2~3 times more expensive than OLED.
- 11,13 inch OLED size: So rare and not profitable
- LPTO: Used only for expensive OLED
- Highest quality and specs: There are no professional grade OLED in laptop, desktop, tablet so far.
- OLED itself

 

[jonnyb098]

I feel like all this means is the new iPad pro might be prone to tons of issues…

 

[cmbarclay]

I now think a May release is too optimistic. Tim is burning 🔥 through the cash.

 

[AriaAmaris]

How can Apple devices with OLED panels produce the color white correctly and Samsung devices don’t’. Samsung devices always have some degree of yellow, green tinge.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

But Samsung has no issues making OLED panels for Galaxy tablets for the last 9 years? Sure…

Samsung isn’t producing tablets in the numbers Apple is, an apple is known to have some of the highest quality control demands in the industry.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

OLED a delay today but tomorrow will be a different story

These might not fly off the shelves after all this messing, confidence is definitely slipping

Nothing has been announced by Apple (unlike AirPower) and manufacturing issues are normal for a new device. If anything it’s reassuring that Apple is sticking to their original standards and didn’t accept lower grade displays.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

But Samsung has no issues making OLED panels for Galaxy tablets for the last 9 years? Sure…

Not all panels are made the same, even from the same manufacturer. The higher the standard the lower the yield will become. The binned panels will go to cheaper devices that don’t require the same level of brightness or color accuracy etc.

 

[TheLinkster]

I now think a May release is too optimistic. Tim is burning 🔥 through the cash.

They've got plenty of it.

 

[juju90]

But Samsung has no issues making OLED panels for Galaxy tablets for the last 9 years? Sure…

It’s dual layers

 

[jazz1]

Make one in Space Black and all will be forgiven.

I want Midnight color! Yes, the finger print magnet!

 

[FasterQuieter]

With dual layers, instead of a dead pixel would you get a feeble pixel?

 

[goodthymes]

How can Apple devices with OLED panels produce the color white correctly and Samsung devices don’t’. Samsung devices always have some degree of yellow, green tinge.

This is my fear. I noticed this when I was looking to buy an S9 tablet/OLED laptop. Seems most people don't notice or don't care. If it's the case, I'll immediately jump on an M2 mini-led iPad pro - blooming be damned.

 

[The Game 161]

This Apple obsession with OLED is ridiculous. For the use case, the current screen of the iPad is fine. The tablet has far more challenges to meet than the display -- most notably a sad, tired, played-out OS that doesn't even touch the power of the device. Until they re-imagine that, all the spec bumps in the world are useless and excessively costly to the consumer...

LCD isn't fine

Mini led and oled is far superior

 

[bscheffel]

What’s the excuse to not go ahead and release the Airs? They aren’t OLED, won’t get the new Magic Keyboard (presumably) and are coming up on 2 years old. Is Apple afraid potentially pro customers will not wait and get the cheaper Air?

 

[MrGimper]

How can something that is unannounced and rumoured be “delayed”.

 

[turbineseaplane]

This Apple obsession with OLED is ridiculous. For the use case, the current screen of the iPad is fine.

Maybe for you

I'm 95%+ content consumption on my iPad (and lots in the evenings) and I would LOVE to have OLED
It would be a massive upgrade in the experience

The inky gorgeous colors and the perfect blacks are just stunning

 

[EugW]

What’s the excuse to not go ahead and release the Airs? They aren’t OLED, won’t get the new Magic Keyboard (presumably) and are coming up on 2 years old. Is Apple afraid potentially pro customers will not wait and get the cheaper Air?

Who said the Airs are waiting for the Pros? Maybe they are, but there really isn't evidence of that.

How can something that is unannounced and rumoured be “delayed”.

Hahah. I know right?

Maybe for you

I'm 95%+ content consumption on my iPad (and lots in the evenings) and I would LOVE to have OLED
It would be a massive upgrade in the experience

The inky gorgeous colors and the perfect blacks are just stunning

Yup. OLED is pretty much all that I am waiting for. Hopefully the pricing won't be crazy though.

I have zero interest in mini-LED. (Not that the 11" got mini-LED anyway.)

 

[Fraserpatty]

Glad I didn’t wait for this and got a M2 pro last year

Yes. This burn-in uncertainty is exactly why I got the M2. But I didn’t get it until this past December. Hopefully by the time I need a new iPad all will be resolved.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I have zero interest in mini-LED.

Same - I had a 14" MBP briefly and the blooming drove me nuts
I think the Mini-LED screen experience is sort of mediocre on the whole