It seems that Apple is planning a large-scale screen upgrade in the iPad range, and strangely enough, it does not seem that it is the top models in the iPad Pro series that get the upgrades first – the transition to OLED is said to be planned first in the iPad Air- series.
This according to DigiTimes, which claims that an iPad with an OLED screen of 10.9 inches may be planned for production towards the end of 2021, and launched in 2022. The news site does not mention the iPad specifically, but since it is precisely this size it is probably the iPad Air who becomes the first out, given that the fourth generation of iPad Air (2020) has a screen of just 10.9 inches.
In addition, it seems that Apple may have plans to switch to OLED in its iPad Pro models of 12.9 inches, as well as in the MacBook Pro computers of between 16 and 17 inches. There is also talk of a 2022 launch for these, but Apple has reportedly not decided whether the transition to OLED will actually be completed now immediately, which would indicate that the launch of the latter products will take place later than the OLED variant of iPad Air, if they want to see the light of day at all.
Mini-LED in OLED
If it is in fact the case that Apple is now moving towards OLEDs, why do not the Pro models get OLED before the mid-range models in the Air series? It may be because iPad Pro (2021) already rumored to be on its way to an LCD variant with Mini-LED taillights.
According to DigiTimes, Mini-LEDs and OLEDs will eventually exist side by side in Apple’s tablets, since the different models will be marketed to different user groups. This is in line with the leaks we have heard before, there a source claimed that the iPad Pro series would switch to Mini-LED in 2021, then to OLED in 2022.
Both Mini-LED and OLED should be rewarding upgrades for most people. The former technology uses smaller LED backlights with a more traditional LCD panel at the front, leading to better contrast and color reproduction. OLED offers similar improvements, but preferably even better contrast and black levels, and is currently the type of screen used in the most generous mobile phones, including iPhone 12series.
So it seems that the LCD era may be successful for Apple’s iPad products, although it could potentially take some time for other iPad series than the iPad Air – but as always, it’s hard to say exactly what Apple’s plans are. before we receive an official confirmation.
Source: MacRumors
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