Apple has no consistent release schedule for the iPad Pro line, so we never know when the next one is coming out. The latest iPad Pro models were launched in 2022 with a relatively minor bump. The only upgrade was bumping the chip from the M1 to the M2.
The M1 was already overkill for iPadOS since you couldn’t take advantage of the power. There weren’t enough apps to use all that horsepower. iPadOS also didn’t offer excellent multitasking capabilities like macOS, so you still can’t properly use the power of M2 and M1. Still, we saw the addition of new Media Engines to the new M2 iPads. This enables a much better video editing experience.
Eventually, a version of Finalcut Pro also made it to the iPad Pros. The Stage Manager is much better on newer iPadOS versions, and it’s now a viable laptop replacement for some specific workloads.
A report from Digitimes Asia says that Apple is planning to launch OLED models of their iPads in 2024. Their sources were anonymous: internal supply chain sources. Some suppliers are already expanding their panel capacity, preparing for the launch of the upcoming iPad Pro models with OLED.
These upcoming OLED iPads will supposedly come with hybrid OLED panels. These use rigid materials for durability but also flexible materials to keep them thin. Since Mini LED-backlit LCD and even standard LCD panels are much thicker than OLED, the upcoming could be much thinner than the previous models. We hope Apple works on durability since the current models bend easily despite slightly thicker designs.
All iPhones in the main lineup use OLED panels, and so do the Apple Watches. The Macs will probably stick to Mini-LED and LCD for a while. The iPads will join the OLED group next, and we can expect the Macs to a few years later.
Apple has been waiting so long because it’s difficult to match its quality standards for OLED. The current Mini LED model goes 1600 Nits bright. However, the best OLED panel on a tablet doesn’t even breach 500 Nits. Since Apple considers HDR content (Dolby Vision) important, they can’t use panels with such low maximum brightness. It also affects outdoor usability.
OLED panels come with plenty of benefits. You get a much better contrast ratio. And also true blacks since individual pixels turn off, which leads to much better efficiency and battery life. The panels also display colors with much more vibrancy.
The current models go from 24Hz to 120Hz refresh rate to save battery. The newer models could come with LTPO technology and refresh even lower at 1Hz to 120Hz. Apple’s StandBy feature could come in handy here, and we might get proper AOD, too. Apple is reportedly slightly increasing the size of the 12.9-inch model to 13-inch.
New reports also claim that there could be a 4TB option for the upcoming 2024 iPad Pro. This suggests a higher price tag for the iPads, too. The 11-inch model could go up to 999$, and we’re not sure if Apple will use Mini LED or OLED for this model. The larger 13-inch model will get OLED and might go up to 1499$ for the base model.
Considering that it’s significantly more expensive, Apple could continue to sell the existing 11-inch and 12.9-inch M2 iPad Pro models at a discount instead of discontinuing them. We expect these to launch in the March 2024 event or at WWDC 2024 in June.
