Multiple rumors in the past have hinted thatAppleis adding OLED panels to itsiPad Prolineup. While the company has remained tight-lipped, new reports indicate that these new iPads might finally be launched soon.
If thelatest reportsfrom South Korea are believed, Apple plans to push the 11-inch and 13-inch OLED iPad Pro models into mass production around March. This also means that the iPads could launch in April, in line with the schedule leaked earlier.
The Elec report states thatSamsung Displayis expected to begin the production of TFT panels for the 11-inch iPad Pro this week. The OLED display for the 13-inch variant is being made by another South Korean company, LG, and the production of these panels has already started.
These reports coincide with the other reports originating from the supply chain industry. Ming-Chi Kuo, a noted Apple analyst,hintedat the tentative launch of the OLED iPad Pro in April or May.
So, in a nutshell, if everything goes as per Apple’s plans, the OLED iPad Pros could be announced at the March event and might start retailing in April. Besides the new iPad Pro, Apple is rumored to introduce the new iPad Air lineup. For the first time, these budget iPads might also come in two size options.
Sales forecasts don’t paint a rosy picture
Interestingly, Appledid not updateits iPad lineup last year. Because the company has introduced new iPads every year from the day the first iPad was announced, it shocked many.
However, the writing has been on the wall as Apple reportedly struggles to maintain the iPad sales momentum. Compared to iPhones, users did not buy into the idea of iterative updates on iPads primarily because of the global economic conditions.
This is probably why the iPad Pro shipment forecast has also taken a hit, and the estimates have been scaled down from 10 million to 8 million units.
Jitendra Soni was a Tech Writer on Dexerto’s UK Team. An expert in tech, especially smartphones, he has almost 10 years of experience. He spearheaded the TechRadar India editorial operations and has written for TechRadar, TechRadar Pro, Free Press Journal, Mobile Scout, IB Times Singapore, Indulge Express, and more.
