In a note to clients — as noted by MacRumors — analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that the next update of the iPad Pro will sport mini-LED displays.
“Apple’s mini LED dies will be mass-produced in 4Q20, but due to yield issues related to the production process of display module materials, the 4Q20 display shipments have been revised down by 50% to 300,000-400,000,” he notes. “We believe that the mini LED display in 4Q20 will be used for the new iPad Pro.”
The Sellers Research Group (that’s me) thinks that Kuo is on the money. Look for a mini-LED iPad Pro to debut in spring 2021.
Mini-LEDs sport a local dimming function with a contrast effect similar to that of OLED displays. However, on some product lines, costs for mini-LED backlit displays may even be lower than their OLED counterparts, according to LEDinside. Mini-LED products are as thin as those using OLED technology so they consume less power than traditional LED screens, and they cost 70-80% less to produce than OLED displays, although their performance is similar.
