OLED 12.9-Inch iPad Pro Rumored to Feature Brighter, More Durable Display

[MacRumors]

LG Display has begun developing an OLED panel for a 12.9-inch iPad model that features improved brightness, longevity, and durability, according to The Elec.

The Elec recently reported that Apple is preparing to release two new iPad Pro models with low-power LTPO OLED displays in 2023 or 2024. The new models could feature improved ProMotion with a wider range of refresh rates.

Further to that report, The Elec is now claiming that LG Display is planning to begin production of a 12.9-inch OLED display for an iPad between the end of 2023 and 2024. Samsung Display is also expected to be preparing to supply panels for the OLED iPad Pro models alongside LG Display, now that the OLED iPad Air that Samsung was working on for 2022 has reportedly been canceled.

LG Display is reportedly planning to use LTPO TFT technology to make the OLED panel up to two times brighter and prolong its working life by up to four times. Since consumers keep iPads for longer than iPhones, longevity and durability are said to be important goals for the display.

The panels are expected to use the same Gen 6 substrates used in the iPhone 13 Pro models, which already support LTPO TFT technology for refresh rates up to 120Hz. This could allow for a much wider range of refresh rates between 10Hz and 120Hz.

In a recent investor note from TF International Securities, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple has abandoned its plans to release an iPad Air with an OLED display in 2022, with multiple sources now agreeing on a 2023 or later launch timeframe.

As per the previous report, Apple is currently planning to launch 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPads that use OLED panels in 2023 or 2024. The iPad Pro now appears to be Apple's focus for its first tablets with OLED displays, rather than the iPad Air. That being said, the report notes that Apple could still choose to use OLED technology on the iPad Air first due to pricing and supply volume.

Article Link: OLED 12.9-Inch iPad Pro Rumored to Feature Brighter, More Durable Display

 

[MacLawyer]

Nothing against iPads.... they are freaking amazing and if you use one for productive purposes or content viewing, good on you.

As for me, they just don't light my fire. I have the base iPad and I occasionally use it but I'll aways be a Mac guy. (IE old). ?

 

[cmaier]

Still makes no sense to me. If Apple thinks OLED is the better display, it could have switched to OLED this year instead of miniLED, which was a huge investment for them.

 

[Shanghaichica]

That will be me next iPad update.

 

[xxray]

features improved brightness, longevity, and durability

BuT oLeD dOeSnT gEt BrIgHt EnOuGh AnD hAs BuRn-In

 

[Hammerd]

Still makes no sense to me. If Apple thinks OLED is the better display, it could have switched to OLED this year instead of miniLED, which was a huge investment for them.

You’re thinking it wrong

 

[newyorksole]

I'll upgrade my 2018 12.9" whenever they do a proper redesign. It appears we're a couple of years away unfortunately.

 

[profets]

Still makes no sense to me. If Apple thinks OLED is the better display, it could have switched to OLED this year instead of miniLED, which was a huge investment for them.

Yeah, these rumours are all over the place. Really don't understand what's going on. Maybe they're testing out several options, since these recent articles are pointing to devices 2-3 years away.

 

[julesme]

Nothing against iPads.... they are freaking amazing and if you use one for productive purposes or content viewing, good on you.

As for me, they just don't light my fire. I have the base iPad and I occasionally use it but I'll aways be a Mac guy. (IE old). ?

I think for the majority of iPad users, the device is a companion, not a replacement, for their Mac.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I hope Apple doesn’t use the same OLED as iPad mini. Take your time Apple. Don’t rush it.

 

[contacos]

Rumors about 2024 really? Can we all survive 2021 first please. Who knows how many of us will be dead by then

 

[Stev150]

This is bad news if true.

 

[MacLawyer]

Rumors about 2024 really? Can we all survive 2021 first please. Who knows how many of us will be dead by then

You sir, have the makings of a great estate planner. Have you considered law school?

 

[subi257]

Nothing against iPads.... they are freaking amazing and if you use one for productive purposes or content viewing, good on you.

As for me, they just don't light my fire. I have the base iPad and I occasionally use it but I'll aways be a Mac guy. (IE old). 🤓

I've always had one, in 2018 I upgraded to the first generation iPad Pro. I love it but it's hard to just hold because the border is so small that I touch where I did not mean to. I ended up putting a holder on the back.

 

[Force332]

Still makes no sense to me. If Apple thinks OLED is the better display, it could have switched to OLED this year instead of miniLED, which was a huge investment for them.

As Apple has historically been both slow to adapt new display technologies and then doesn't move on from them very quickly when they do, I understand that this seems odd. But I think what it comes down to is keeping ProMotion going in the Pro lineup. Similar to how they waited to adopt adaptive refresh on the iPhone until they could source enough of the LTPO OLED displays for their need. Since the iPad Pros have had ProMotion (using LED backlighting) going back to 2017, they don't want to go backwards and throw in an OLED display just because it's OLED if they can't source enough of them to be adaptive. This sounds like they are aiming to be able to do so in 2 or 3 years. In the meantime, I think they implemented mini-LED as a step up to improve brightness and dynamic range while retaining ProMotion until they can produce OLED displays of this size with the adaptive ability.

My gut feeling at least.

 

[kiranmk2]

Still makes no sense to me. If Apple thinks OLED is the better display, it could have switched to OLED this year instead of miniLED, which was a huge investment for them.

MiniLED is a stepping stone. It is no-one's top shelf display. Samsung don't believe in it even though it forms their flagship TVs this year under the Neo line (they buy the MiniLED panels from TCL rather than making them themselves!)

OLED for iPad is still several years away because Apple doesn't want a single stack OLED because they know it won't get that bright and may show burn-in more cealrly (and iPads are typically kept for longer than phones). OLEDs for laptops/monitors are just starting to prove themselves now and as usual, Apple will take their time and get it (mostly) right.

 

[Jay42]

Still makes no sense to me. If Apple thinks OLED is the better display, it could have switched to OLED this year instead of miniLED, which was a huge investment for them.

Apple has high standards for OLED and doesn't use off the shelf parts.

If the rumor is true, miniLED is the stopgap from 2020 - 2023 or 2024 until Apple is able to develop an OLED panel suitable for the iPad. It's not crazy since miniLED will have a 3-4 year run, improves performance from the prior model, and drives sales.

 

[grilledcheesesandwich]

Still makes no sense to me. If Apple thinks OLED is the better display, it could have switched to OLED this year instead of miniLED, which was a huge investment for them.

iPad-sized OLED panels don't exist at scale today. Take a look at OLED monitor prices. MicroLED remains years behind OLED in R&D.

I hope Apple doesn’t use the same OLED as iPad mini. Take your time Apple. Don’t rush it.

iPad mini uses LCD, not OLED.

 

[Psychicbob]

As per Tim’s latest directive, doomscrolling will be automatically detected and ProMotion will reduce to 0Hz

 

[JPack]

Still makes no sense to me. If Apple thinks OLED is the better display, it could have switched to OLED this year instead of miniLED, which was a huge investment for them.

Agree completely. Seems to me this is a Plan B to use OLED in the event mini LED is off track in future development.

Given that Apple is asking for LG OLED to double the brightness and quadruple the longevity, I think it’s more likely this is an alternative rather than a commitment to use OLED.

iPhone 13 Pro/Max sales volumes are probably an order of magnitude greater than iPad Pro. If there is capacity to make iPhone Pro Max, there is capacity to make an OLED iPad Pro today.

 

[GeoStructural]

Yeah, these rumours are all over the place. Really don't understand what's going on. Maybe they're testing out several options, since these recent articles are pointing to devices 2-3 years away.

You are correct, Apple basically confirmed that devices are planned/locked-in 2-3 years ahead of release.

However, when it comes to iPad Apple has shown little consistency.

Examples:

• The release of iPad 4 just a couple of months after the release of iPad 3.
• The released of iPad Pro 9.7" that was superior in many ways tech-wise to the recently released and more expensive 12.9" Pro (WTH...). [This was my first iPad, by the way].
• The "update" of iPad Mini just to include TouchID ($100 extra) with literally the same old chip and display, just to abandon TouchID technology soon after.
• The release of iPads with two different styluses at the same cycle.
• The release of iPads with different connectivity/charging ports at the same cycle.

So I would not be surprised for them to be adopting OLED and then half-way through the cycle switching to MicroLED in one or two devices... just because...

 

[cmaier]

iPad-sized OLED panels don't exist at scale today. Take a look at OLED monitor prices. MicroLED remains years behind OLED in R&D.

iPad mini uses LCD, not OLED.

MiniLED at iPad sizes didn’t exist either until apple worked with its suppliers and invested a lot of money to get there. It was a lot more work than the oled ramp-up.

 

[840quadra]

Yet another OLED rumor for iPads. And again doesn’t make sense considering the current offerings, and where some models are with their screen technology.

 

[xpxp2002]

I've always had one, in 2018 I upgraded to the first generation iPad Pro. I love it but it's hard to just hold because the border is so small that I touch where I did not mean to. I ended up putting a holder on the back.

This is why I like the older iPhone/iPad designs with a home button. Not only do you get the benefit of Touch ID, the extra blank space gives you a place to hold on.

 

[Octavius8]

Another reason to keep my 2017 iPad Pro with pro-motion a little longer.
I want to upgrade it, but Apple does not want my money.
Only the huge iPad has that technology now?. So visionary