iPad Pro With A14X Chip, 5G, and Mini-LED Display Expected in First Half of 2021

[MacRumors]

Apple plans to launch new iPad Pro models with an A14X chip, 5G connectivity, and a Mini-LED display in the first or second quarter of 2021, according to the increasingly reliable Twitter account L0vetodream.

The leaker claims that the new iPad Pro models will be equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X55 modem, which supports both mmWave and sub-6GHz. mmWave is a set of 5G frequencies that promise ultra-fast speeds at short distances, ideal for dense urban areas. By comparison, sub-6GHz 5G is generally slower than mmWave, but the signals travel further, better serving suburban and rural areas.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1268158465509216256

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1268157439754432512

iPhone 12 models are also expected to use the X55 modem, but beyond that, Apple is reportedly developing its own 5G baseband technology for future devices. Apple acquired Intel's smartphone modem business last year to bolster that effort.

While multiple sources initially pointed towards a late 2020 refresh of the iPad Pro, including Ming-Chi Kuo and Jon Prosser, there have now been several reports indicating that the new A14X/5G/Mini-LED models are likely to debut in 2021. This would make sense given that Apple just refreshed the iPad Pro in March, and even though that was a relatively minor update, another refresh later this year would seem rather quick.

New features on the latest iPad Pro models include an A12Z Bionic chip that is very similar to the A12X chip, an Ultra Wide camera that enables 0.5x zoom, a LiDAR Scanner for enhanced augmented reality, and better sounding microphones.

L0vetodream accurately revealed several details about the new iPhone SE before any other leakers that we know of, including that the device would launch in the second week of April and come in three storage capacities. Likewise, the account accurately claimed that new iPad Pro models would launch in the third week of March.

Article Link: iPad Pro With A14X Chip, 5G, and Mini-LED Display Expected in First Half of 2021

 

[The Game 161]

I know this is what will make people upgrade I’m sure faster chip and mini LED...will see when it arrives as won’t be shocked if it gets pushed back even further.

this will be last iPad i reckon for 18 months

 

[mnsportsgeek]

This would be a big refresh. I'd probably jump in and retire my 5th gen iPad.

I'm really wondering what Apple will do when they manage to integrate the modem into their processors, will they dump the 2 versions (wifi vs. cellular) and make all iPads cellular enabled? Or will they have a software block to disable the modem on some models?

 

[sublunar]

Would be a perfect test of the gaming credentials of the A14x, especially if the bump the RAM up to 8Gb.

 

[44267547]

Which basically debunks OLED Ever being a consideration for the iPad with mini LED being the next step forward. (Which is totally fine.) The 5G aspect doesn’t interest me, the performance and display improvements however does.

 

[macfan90]

bump the ram, better graphics, slim the bezels

 

[BlendedFrog]

Really the only thing that interests me is the rumor of the qualcomm 5g modem. If that is even remotely true, I'm hopeful that will be the one that makes it into the 2020 iphones. So tired of the crappy intel modems.

 

[Scottsoapbox]

Still waiting for a software reason to update my older iPad Pro.

 

[itsmilo]

They can’t even launch MiniLED for the tiny Apple Watch yet somehow they are already gonna include it in the iPad and maybe the MacBook?

I am still doubting it. Just look how long it took Apple to release an OLED iPhone which did not even make it on its whole line up yet

 

[lddhtx]

Only buying if 8GB (or more) of RAM. Would be nice to configure a custom model with 16GB of RAM on Apple’s website. I know they are against this for iPads/iPhones but this is a “Pro” device right? Otherwise just a toy. RAM is the only thing in terms of hardware that is holding back the iPad from it’s full potential. And yes I get it, iOS uses less RAM, but I would rather have too much than not enough.

 

[GeoStructural]

This would be a big refresh. I'd probably jump in and retire my 5th gen iPad.

I'm really wondering what Apple will do when they manage to integrate the modem into their processors, will they dump the 2 versions (wifi vs. cellular) and make all iPads cellular enabled? Or will they have a software block to disable the modem on some models?

I would not be surprised if they disable it with software. I still don’t think it is worth paying extra $150 for the celular connectivity in the current line up.

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bump the ram, better graphics, slim the bezels

Exactly! I could not care less for 5G, all I want is for the bezels to shrink, better CPU/GPU/RAM, and larger base storage options. I would like for them to bring back the headphone jack as well.

 

[Wags]

I know this is what will make people upgrade I’m sure faster chip and mini LED...will see when it arrives as won’t be shocked if it gets pushed back even further.

this will be last iPad i reckon for 18 months

If release follows its recent intervals would be June at earliest. Sure focus will be next iPhone launch.

 

[The Game 161]

Will apple bump the ram up in back to back iPads? That I’m not sure on.

 

[jclardy]

Which basically debunks OLED Ever being a consideration for the iPad with mini LED being the next step forward. (Which is totally fine.) The 5G aspect doesn’t interest me, the performance and display improvements however does.

Glad they didn't go OLED - the way I use my iPad would have made for some crazy burn-in. My screen time each day is 8-9 hours since I use it as a secondary display for my Mac, and other times just leave email/slack open on it with the display set to auto-off after 10 minutes.

I really don't see why anyone would want OLED on a tablet or laptop, sure the colors are great and the black levels are perfect, but for anything other than movies/tv, why does that matter?

 

[EugW]

Finally, a legitimate mini-LED rumour that includes the smaller iPad Pro. This is exactly what I'm looking for:

11" to 12" (but not 12.9" or larger)
Mini-LED
Qualcomm X55 5G with both mmWave and sub-6 GHz
A14X
6 GB RAM
128 GB storage entry level model
Face ID
USB-C
Camera with multiple lenses
Magic keyboard support

My carrier started with only sub-6 GHz 5G, but that's fine, and there's no guarantee I'd stick with the same carrier.
8 GB would be a bonus, but I'm not expecting it.

Here's hoping for spring 2021!

 

[jclardy]

Will apple bump the ram up in back to back iPads? That I’m not sure on.

I think that really depends on what iOS 14 brings us. If there is any new background mode that lets apps actually continue running/updating in the background (More than just 10 minute cleanup tasks) then I think we could see iPad Pro's with 8GB RAM.

 

[Yr Blues]

Hard pass on 5G.

 

[rowspaxe]

Still waiting for a software reason to update my older iPad Pro.

But, but....faux-toshop!

 

[motulist]

god I hope mini-led spur them to get rid of the rounded screen corners. With mini-led they could render software-based rounded screen corners that are fully 100% black, and then individual apps could choose to display those round corners or not.

 

[EugW]

Hard pass on 5G.

Apple has never forced iPad users to buy an iPad with cellular included.

 

[BuffaloTF]

They can’t even launch MiniLED for the tiny Apple Watch yet somehow they are already gonna include it in the iPad and maybe the MacBook?

I am still doubting it. Just look how long it took Apple to release an OLED iPhone which did not even make it on its whole line up yet

Mini LED and Micro LED are totally different things.

Micro LED isn't anywhere near ready for prime time. Mini LED exists today - it's a form of full-array local dimming, and uses smaller LED lights behind the screen to form lighting zones -- hundreds up to around a thousand for bigger TVs, an Apple Watch is so small there'd be like 4 zones. Micro LED is an LED behind every single LCD pixel and what is expected to replace OLED...

 

[alpi123]

They can’t even launch MiniLED for the tiny Apple Watch yet somehow they are already gonna include it in the iPad and maybe the MacBook?

I am still doubting it. Just look how long it took Apple to release an OLED iPhone which did not even make it on its whole line up yet

The OLED on the Apple Watch is better than miniLED. You're maybe talking about microLED? miniLED has existed for quite some time and is not as expensive to mass produce as currently microLED is (the successor to OLED).

 

[gnomeisland]

This would be a big refresh. I'd probably jump in and retire my 5th gen iPad.

I'm really wondering what Apple will do when they manage to integrate the modem into their processors, will they dump the 2 versions (wifi vs. cellular) and make all iPads cellular enabled? Or will they have a software block to disable the modem on some models?

There are more differences than just the modem. The current cellular iPads have additional cutout and cellular antennae. I don't see Apple making those things standard and if Apple stays with a monolithic (as opposed to chip-let) SoC, then *just* disabling the modem could improve yields.

Who can tell? But my educated guess is that, no, it won't be a situation where a software unlock/jailbreak suddenly makes every iPad cellular enabled. Maybe every iPad will include GPS, which would be a welcome change.

 

[whatta]

Apple has never forced iPad users to buy an iPad with cellular included.

True, but gps is somehow only available in cellular.
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Makes sense. Another iPP this year would piss many buyers off. I wonder now about the iPad Air 3 this fall. What screen, cpu and ram will it have.

 

[itsmilo]

The OLED on the Apple Watch is better than miniLED. You're maybe talking about microLED? miniLED has existed for quite some time and is not as expensive to mass produce as currently microLED is (the successor to OLED).

oops yes ? I read it wrong