A new report from respected Apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo says that Apple is developing six new products that used mini LED displays, a technology similar to the OLED screens used on the iPhone 11 Pro.
The upcoming expected products include a new iPad Pro and a 14.1in MacBook Pro to replace the current 13.3in device. This would make sense given the 15in model was recently replaced by a 16in version with similar dimensions.
The report was seen by Macrumours, and says:
“The trend for Apple’s development and promotion of mini LED are more identifiable in five years. We predict that Apple is currently developing six mini-LED-support products (vs. the previous report of only two products), including a 12.9-inch iPad Pro, a 27-inch iMac Pro in 4Q20, a 14.1-inch MacBook Pro (upgraded from 13.3-inch), a 16-inch MacBook Pro, a 10.2-inch iPad, and a 7.9-inch iPad mini in 2020.”
If accurate, it shows that Apple might upgrade its larger 12.9in iPad Pro to mini LED but keep the 11in using LCD, perhaps to differentiate on size and price more aggressively.
The move to mini LED for the iMac Pro and entire MacBook Pro line up would also represent a leap from longstanding LCD technology. Apple currently sells the iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max with OLED displays after debuting one on the iPhone X. The iPhone 11 and XR use LCD displays.
Mini LED is said to hold some advantages over similar OLED tech, though it’s notable the report does not mention iPhones. The predicted move to mini LED on Apple’s low-end iPad and iPad mini would be surprising, particularly if the mid-range iPad Air misses out.
If accurate, the report predicts 2020 and 2021 will see Apple update its display technology aggressively, though how consumer-facing those changes will be in their marketing remains to be seen.
Author: Henry Burrell, Phones Editor
Henry is Tech Advisor’s Phones Editor, ensuring he and the team covers and reviews every smartphone worth knowing about for readers and viewers all over the world. He spends a lot of time moving between different handsets and shouting at WhatsApp to support multiple devices at once.