OLED iPad Pro's Thin Design Highlighted in CAD Drawings

[MacRumors]

Apple is working on a new version of the iPad Pro that is set to launch as soon as March, and the refresh will mark the biggest design update to the Pro lineup since 2018.

Apple is transitioning to OLED displays, and the swap will allow for a major change to the overall thickness of the device. 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​

Previously leaked dimensions confirmed that the upcoming OLED iPad Pro models will be significantly thinner than the current versions. The larger iPad Pro, for example, will be over 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

OLED displays will bring improved HDR, better colors, deeper blacks, and other quality improvements. Apple has so far limited OLED technology to the Apple Watch and iPhone, so this will be the first time that OLED displays have been available in an Apple device of this size.

Apple's iPad Pro models are also expected to be upgraded with faster 3-nanometer M3 chips, and MagSafe charging is a possibility. Apple is also expected to sell the devices with a new Magic Keyboard and an upgraded Apple Pencil, with full details available in our OLED iPad Pro guide.

Article Link: OLED iPad Pro's Thin Design Highlighted in CAD Drawings

 

[AlastorKatriona]

Looks to be about as thin as it possibly could be and still have things like buttons, or USB.

 

[nfl46]

Jony Ive would be proud. Lol.

 

[Armada2]

So the camera hasn't been moved to landscape? 😢😢

 

[Fortimir]

If the Magic Keyboard could also lose quite a bit of heft, there might actually be some argument against just getting a laptop — and I say this as someone who has a current 12.9 + Magic Keyboard instead of a laptop. But I do recognize there's not much of a logical reason to get this setup over a MacBook.

But OLED + substantially thinned down could help.

BUT also, like, I already get worried enough as it is my iPad is going to get bent.

 

[Arsenikdote]

So the camera hasn't been moved to landscape? 😢😢

I don't want the rear cameras in the middle, that would be terrible when holding the device in portrait mode in my hands

 

[ChedNasad]

Bendgate 2: Electric Boogaloo

 

[turbineseaplane]

My fingers hurt from just thinking about holding it

Imagine if ergonomics were actually considered anymore, instead of just designing things for marketing bullet points and promo photos.

 

[stefanovago]

just keep the current design and fill it with batteries

 

[erikkfi]

Awww yeah here we go, CAD drawing time, it's starting to feel real!

 

[turbineseaplane]

just keep the current design and fill it with batteries

That doesn't help to sell new Accessories

 

[erikkfi]

So the camera hasn't been moved to landscape? 😢😢

The rear camera? You want that in the middle of the back of the device...?

 

[JPack]

So the camera hasn't been moved to landscape? 😢😢

The rear cameras have always been in landscape. It's the front camera that's being moved.

 

[TigerNike23]

“Introducing the new iPad Pro, now more bendable!”

 

[turbineseaplane]

The rear camera? You want that in the middle of the back of the device...?

Front camera

Facetime users I think prefer it centered at the top of Landscape mode to match up with Keyboard case usage, etc

 

[Eldaerenth Faexidor]

Can’t wait! Very excited about this. Mini-led was not my thing.

 

[Fuzzball84]

The larger iPad Pro already has durability concerns... unless they are reinforcing the design by making changes internally, or changes to the materials composition, I don't think this is going to do too well if not handled very carefully.

I actually bought an iPad Air 5 a couple years ago and returned it as it was actually creaking when I picked it up and moved it... the Apple rep didn't seem surprised when I mentioned it and my iPad Air 4 by comparison was rock solid and has never creaked, even now.

And those are smaller than the larger iPad Pro

I guess people would prefer they keep the current design and fill with more battery if possible.. as iPads have actually lagged MacBooks now for quite some time on the battery life metric.

 

[EugW]

So the camera hasn't been moved to landscape? 😢😢

There is no reference to the front camera in those CAD drawings.

I guess people would prefer they keep the current design and fill with more battery if possible.. as iPads have actually lagged MacBooks now for quite some time on the battery life metric.

A move to OLED would necessitate a design change anyway. While it would be possible to increase the battery size in an OLED model to increase battery life, the design still wouldn't be the same as the previous LCD model.

 

[erikkfi]

Front camera

Facetime users I think prefer it centered at the top of Landscape mode to match up with Keyboard case usage, etc

I'm just saying these renders don't show the front camera either way. I definitely want it moved to landscape.

 

[Matcha]

It’s happening! So excited.

 

[erikkfi]

The larger iPad Pro already has durability concerns... unless they are reinforcing the design by making changes internally, or changes to the materials composition, I don't think this is going to do too well if not handled very carefully.

I actually bought an iPad Air 5 a couple years ago and returned it as it was actually creaking when I picked it up and moved it... the Apple rep didn't seem surprised when I mentioned it and my iPad Air 4 by comparison was rock solid and has never creaked, even now.

And those are smaller than the larger iPad Pro

I guess people would prefer they keep the current design and fill with more battery if possible.. as iPads have actually lagged MacBooks now for quite some time on the battery life metric.

I was at the Apple store and I told them I didn't like it and the rep said "you're right, our stuff is crap" and then everyone clapped. That rep's name? Steve Jobs.

 

[azentropy]

Strange that the 11" gets taller but narrower - kinda thought it would be the other way if they are moving the camera. I really hope they aren't changing the aspect ratio. It is one reason why I returned my Samsung Galaxy Tab 9. Even though it was 11" as was slightly better for viewing video everything else suffered.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I really hope they aren't changing the aspect ratio.

Me too

I personally still prefer the 4:3 on my iPad Mini 5

 

[swrobel]

No one wants this! Just give them more battery and get rid of the camera hump already...

 

[I am Sampson]

I've been waiting for this for about two years now, but the recent reports about iOS 18 having specific AI features limited only to iPhone 16 due to specific hardware makes me massively reconsider.
Why buy a brand new top-of-the-range iPad when we know it is not going to support what could be some exceptionally significant and game-changing features?
I genuinely would love answers to this, perhaps I'm overestimating what the iPhone 16 hardware might do for AI, but it seems really quite a risk to get this iPad before we know for sure.