The next iPad Pro is expected to be available soon, but a new report says one of two sizes, the model with an 11-inch screen, may be in very short supply initially. Supply issues are usually something Apple manages to overcome, but that may not be the case this time.
This claim comes from Ross Young, a highly respected analyst with special knowledge of displays. Reported in X’s post (For paid members) Production of the small model is behind schedule.
One of the most anticipated elements of the upcoming iPad Pro is that it is expected to replace the LCD screen with miniLED backlighting with an OLED display. Not only is this exciting, but it also means that both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro will feature the same screen technology for the first time in years.
At the moment, only the larger 12.9-inch screen has impressive miniLED lighting. The 11-inch has a regular LCD screen.
Ross claims that LG Display will soon start shipping 11-inch OLED panels (Ross calls these 11.1-inches, but is that a more accurate description or will the display size be larger? is not yet clear).
Samsung also makes panels for this size iPad, and LG Display also makes screens for the larger iPad Pro.
But Ross says display production for smaller models “seems to be lagging” behind larger models.
This could mean that the availability of small tablets will be limited, at least initially.
This means that as soon as the release date is announced, potential buyers need to be agile and purchase in time for the release date. When exactly will it happen?
As Bloomberg’s Mark Garman puts it in his latest article on Sunday, March 10: power on newsletter, I said I wouldn’t have to wait long. “Apple is preparing to launch an improved iPad Pro, new iPad Air (including a 12.9-inch version), Magic Keyboard, and an upgraded Apple Pencil,” Garman said. That new hardware will be found around the end of March or April. By then, his included iPadOS 17.4 software should be ready. ”
There were rumors that a new iPad could be announced as early as today, but that didn’t happen. My thinking is that it could be next Monday, the week starting March 18th, but more likely next week, probably Monday March 25th.
The recent MacBook Air announcement was on Monday, March 4th, followed by a release date of Friday, March 8th, but I don’t think it will be as hectic as the iPad Pro.
As of now, I think the announcement could be March 25th and the release date could be Friday, April 5th, right after Easter. Please check back with us as more information becomes available.
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