Jakarta, Selular.ID – Apple has long been rumored to be working on an iPad Pro with a mini-LED display and now a new report claims that it will launch in the first quarter of 2021.
According to DigiTimes, Apple has expanded its supply chain for screens and touch panels. Under this strategy, screen maker BOE has also received approval to supply screen panels for iPhone and GIS will provide touch panels for iPhone and iPad Pro.
GIS (General Interface Solutions) has allocated approximately $ 76.3 million for investment in China. This investment will help GIS to expand operations at its subsidiary in Chengdu. Apple has been working on mini-LED displays for some time now and a total of six products will be produced ranging from iPad to Mac.
Apple will accelerate the adoption of mini-LED panels as they perform better than expected in current tests. The main obstacle to adoption is the complicated micro LED manufacturing process.
Increased supply capacity and competition among suppliers will reportedly push Apple’s costs for dead mini-LED screens from $ 75- $ 85 down to around $ 45.30-40 percent of iPads shipped in 2021 may feature new screen technology, along with 20- 30 percent MacBook.
Apart from DigiTimes, the plan to launch the iPad Mini was also sparked by market analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. According to Kuo, Apple will change the size of the tablet. Previously, the iPad mini was 7.9 inches, but the next generation will come in sizes between 8.5 – 9 inches.
Kuo added that the new iPad Mini is more affordable than ever. Kuo said Apple wants to repeat the success of its strategy on the iPhone SE 2020 which has received a positive response in the market. iPad Mini is predicted to launch in early 2021. Previously, Apple will release a new iPad measuring 10.8 inches. This size is also increased from the previous 10.2 inches.
In addition to the new iPad, Kuo also reports that Apple is preparing augmented reality (AR) glasses. The device will launch in 2022.
Indeed, the news of Apple’s AR glasses has been blowing for a long time. But it is getting closer to reality after Apple officially announced the acquisition of the virtual reality company NextVR.
Previously, Apple had been granted a patent for a fitness bracelet that might use micro-LEDs, but there’s no confirmation whether the company really plans to enter that segment. Apple could also use a micro LED display panel for the seventh generation Apple Watch.
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