Report: 12.9-Inch iPad Pro With 5G and Mini-LED Display Delayed Until 2021

[MacRumors]

Apple's 12.9-inch iPad Pro with 5G and a Mini-LED display has been delayed until 2021 because of the impact the coronavirus outbreak has had on Apple's supply chain partners, according to a new Chinese-language report by United Daily News.

Last week, analyst Jeff Pu told investors that the rumored high-end iPad Pro may be delayed until early next year due to the device's "complex panel design." UDN says Apple originally planned to launch the device in the fall, but has given up on meeting this roadmap because of the outbreak. Either way, today's report adds further weight to the likelihood of a delay until 2021.

Back in December, before the global health crisis took hold, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple was developing up to six Mini-LED products, including a 12.9-inch iPad Pro with an A14X chip for release in the third quarter of 2020.

Last month, leaker Jon Prosser said a new 5G-enabled iPad Pro with an A14X chip and no other hardware changes would be introduced in late 2020, "barring any further delays."

Apple refreshed the iPad Pro in March. The relatively minor update features an A12Z Bionic chip (since found to be an A12X chip with an extra GPU core enabled), an Ultra Wide camera that enables 0.5x zoom, a LiDAR Scanner for enhanced augmented reality, and better sounding microphones. It was the first update to the iPad Pro since the device received a major redesign in October 2018.

Article Link: Report: 12.9-Inch iPad Pro With 5G and Mini-LED Display Delayed Until 2021

 

[berrymetal]

Oh no! I thought they’re releasing is next month.

 

[kenni417]

good. why release another ipad this year anyway and not keep the 18 months refresh cycle?

 

[JamonBull]

Definitely saw this coming after we saw Apple drop the A12Z. I’m glad for those that recently bought a new iPad.

 

[Moakesy]

Sheesh....every other day it seems there is a contradictory headline about the next Apple product.

I think as I’m not working atm, and unlikely to be any time soon, I’m going to become an ‘Apple Analyst’.

It appears the only qualification I need is the ability to guess what Apple are up to, release vague details on Twitter and then hope my hit rate is better than zero.

 

[c14nhl]

I’m happy with this having just bought the 2020 12.9”.

 

[The Game 161]

Not surprise as Jon said there was never going to be mini LED this year....won’t be surprised if this isn’t end of 2021 to be honest

 

[JayMysterio]

It didn't make much sense. Make the next iPP release a true update, not iPP S, like this year's mild 'update'.

 

[Falhófnir]

Guess they really want to focus all efforts on getting the all important new iPhones out in the usual timeframe towards the end of the year if production capacity is reduced and they have to prioritise?

 

[Abazigal]

Or maybe it was always scheduled for next year and this slew of rumours has been much ado over nothing?

 

[Astonish_IT]

I am very glad for people who has just bought the 2020 iPad Pro and sad for people like me who was waiting for this model to update their existing 1st gen iPad Pro.

I know people will say that it is plenty fast, it doesn't slow down..etc which is completely true. But if i am paying 1.5k for an iPad and plan to keep it for 4 years as i did like the one that i have right now, I'd rather not pay for a 2 year old CPU. Even tho, I really want to have the USB-C port.

Some more patience..

 

[PickUrPoison]

The relatively minor update features an A12Z Bionic chip (since found to be an A12X chip with an extra GPU core enabled), an Ultra Wide camera that enables 0.5x zoom, a LiDAR Scanner for enhanced augmented reality, and better sounding microphones. It was the first update to the iPad Pro since the device received a major redesign in October 2018.

Don’t forget 4GB—>6GB RAM (previously, only the 1TB model already had 6GB), WiFi 6 and the price cuts.

The only thing “relatively minor” about the update was that the really, really fast A12X wasn’t replaced by a really, really, really fast A13X. In fact, it was a solid update.

A refresh isn’t all about an updated SoC, especially when the current one already screams.

 

[Wackery]

I am very glad for people who has just bought the 2020 iPad Pro and sad for people like me who was waiting for this model to update their existing 1st gen iPad Pro.

I know people will say that it is plenty fast, it doesn't slow down..etc which is completely true. But if i am paying 1.5k for an iPad and plan to keep it for 4 years as i did like the one that i have right now, I'd rather not pay for a 2 year old CPU. Even tho, I really want to have the USB-C port.

Some more patience..

me too in the same wagon, but I’m waiting for mini-led or oled

 

[44267547]

5G doesn’t interest (Nor benefit me) at all, however; I do look forward to the Mini-led transition. I personally never suspected 2020 was the year we would see Mini-led make its debut, so this rumor seems more ‘filler’ about something most of us already gathered in the first place prior to this article being posted. [<— Not to mention, the pandemic playing a role for other potential delays as well.]

 

[Astonish_IT]

Don’t forget 4GB—>6GB RAM (previously, only the 1TB model already had 6GB), WiFi 6 and the price cuts.

The only thing “relatively minor” about the update was that the really, really fast A12X wasn’t replaced by a really, really, really fast A13X. In fact, it was a solid update.

A refresh isn’t all about an updated SoC, especially when the current one already screams.

In my opinion, if iPad Pro will really go pro in the near future (in case if it does), with "real" pro softwares such as Final Cut Pro, 3d modelling softwares or even 3d rendering softwares..etc, what today really screams, may not scream in 1-2 years once/if those softwares are introduced.

I know that I am basing my argument on a hypothesis. But I hope and think that iPad Pro will move even more towards the pro direction with the upcoming necessary apps and iPad Os 14.

 

[profets]

I'm still in love with my 2018 iPad Pro. 18 months later, but still feels incredible what they did with the design, thinness, weight, etc. Such a nice device and the design will have some longevity for sure.

Only thing I wish for is a 'mini' version of this design to complement my 12.9". Maybe 8-9".

 

[PickUrPoison]

I am very glad for people who has just bought the 2020 iPad Pro and sad for people like me who was waiting for this model to update their existing 1st gen iPad Pro.

I know people will say that it is plenty fast, it doesn't slow down..etc which is completely true. But if i am paying 1.5k for an iPad and plan to keep it for 4 years as i did like the one that i have right now, I'd rather not pay for a 2 year old CPU. Even tho, I really want to have the USB-C port.

Some more patience..

It’s not a two year old SoC. At best, it could have had an A13X. The difference between that and the A12X/Z isn’t as significant as you think.

 

[gsmornot]

My 2018 Pro will be 3 by then which is a good time to move to the next model and find a new home for this one. The 2020 was not meant to be an upgrade of the 2018 but instead a current model for those with older devices. I did pick one up though and updated my wife’s 3 year old iPad.

 

[iapplelove]

I have a 3rd gen pro that I won’t replace for another few years anyway, no matter what they release.

 

[EugW]

What about the 11”?

I have no interest in a 12.9” behemoth.

 

[kostasw]

As a reader, I wonder if the rumours were credible (as all rumours are I guess) or fake news to dissuade people from buying the revised model. Why would Apple go through the trouble of releasing two versions of a Pro product the same year?

As a recent buyer of the 4th Gen 12.9 I, like others here who expressed similar sentiments, am very happy that this got pushed out to next year

 

[otternonsense]

Then I guess I'm sticking with my 10.5" Pro until then. Fine.

 

[Zdigital2015]

Not surprise as Jon said there was never going to be mini LED this year....won’t be surprised if this isn’t end of 2021 to be honest

March or June of 2021 seems a bit more plausible, but October 2021 would be the absolute latest.

 

[Krypton Deer]

I'm still in love with my 2018 iPad Pro. 18 months later, but still feels incredible what they did with the design, thinness, weight, etc. Such a nice device and the design will have some longevity for sure.

Only thing I wish for is a 'mini' version of this design to complement my 12.9". Maybe 8-9".

Same, in love with my 2018 11". The only difference is I am wishing for a 'pro max' version of this design to take the place of my MacBook Pro. Maybe 15-16". As the iPadOS continues to evolve, I'm hoping it can handle most of my mobile computing needs.

 

[Dwalls90]

I don't think this model was ever launching 2020. It's kind of like how we have been hearing about the refreshed SE for years, when in reality it was just released. With the world economy slowing down, that certainly would have never accelerated a release date either.