Production of OLED displays for both of Apple’s next-generation iPad Pro models will begin this week. The new iPads are expected to begin shipping in April, according to a new report by The Elec.
The Korean-language site reports that LG Display recently began manufacturing the thin film transistor (TFT) for the new 13-inch iPad Pro displays, while Samsung will this week similarly begin its own TFT production for the new 11-inch iPad Pro.
The 11-inch and 13-inch OLED iPad Pro models are expected to go into mass production around March, which should allow for an April release for the new high-end tablets.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has previously said he expects the new iPad Pro models to launch in the second quarter of 2024, which runs from April to June.
Today’s report jibes with an earlier claim by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who said Apple is planning to update its entire iPad lineup during 2024, according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman. This means we can expect to see new versions of the iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad mini, and entry-level iPad next year.
Bloomberg expects to see the new iPad Pro models announced during a March media event, alongside a new iPad Air that will for the first time be available in two sizes. Apple traditionally begins taking pre-orders for newly introduced products a week or two after the media event, then the devices become available the next week.
The 2024 iPad Pro models will be the first iPad models to boast OLED display panels. Apple currently uses OLED displays on its iPhone and Apple Watch. However, it has resisted using OLED panels for its iPads, due to the screens being more expensive.
The displays are expected to cost three times the price of the OLED panels used for the iPhone, which could mean we’ll see much higher prices for the new tablets.
OLED displays boast deeper blacks and more vivid colors than LED or mini-LED displays. OLED displays will be limited to iPad Pro models, while the iPad Air will continue to use standard displays.
Gurman says his sources tell him that the high-end version of the iPad Pro will be powered by the M3 chip that Apple debuted earlier this year. The chip is fabricated using TSMCs 3-nanometer technology and will bring substantial graphic improvements over the M2 that currently powers the iPad Pro.
