Apple is reportedly moving away from OLED display panels for its high-end iPads and MacBooks, opting for a new type of display called Mini-LED.
It's a move that will make Apple less dependent on Samsung for displays, but it's also likely to jack up the prices of the units as well.
Apple's Plans For Future iPads, MacBooks
According to MacRumors, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed that the high-end iPad and MacBook models with Mini-LED displays will likely be launched between late 2020 and mid 2021.
Kuo also penned a research note for TF International Securities where he said that the iPad and MacBook displays are expected to use approximately 10,000 LEDs each. Each LED is reportedly below 200 microns.
To compare, Apple's upcoming Pro Display XDR uses 576.
Since the Mini-LED consists of pricey components, Kuo expects the future models to be high-end devices. The iPad and MacBook lineup will likely consist of 10- to 12-inch and 15- to 17-inch models, respectively.
Why Go For Mini-LEDs?
It should be noted that the production of OLED displays has improved. In terms of quality, the wide color gamut performance of the OLED display is already comparable to the Mini-LED.
However, Kuo said that Apple is choosing Mini-LED to make sure it isn't too dependent on Samsung's OLED display supply moving forward.
Instead, the company will be tapping various suppliers, including LG Display for the Mini-LED display panels. The rest of the components will be supplied by various companies, such as Avary Holding, Epistar, Nichia, Radiant Opto-Electronics, TSMT, and Zhen Ding.
While the Mini-LED technology is far more expensive, it is also believed to be less prone to image burn in.
The Mini-LED display will also give Apple the capability to pursue lighter and thinner products. At the same time, these products can offer incredible wide color gamut performance, high contrast and HDR, and local dimming.
Kuo said that the iPad is slated for release between the fourth quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021. Apple will follow it up with the MacBook between the first quarter and second quarter of 2021.
Apple users who are eager to upgrade their laptops don't have to wait a year for a brand-new model, though. The company is expected to release a new high-end MacBook Pro, which could be available as soon as October. This 16-inch laptop is expected to come with a new design, thinner bezels, a scissor-switch keyboard, and a physical escape key, among other changes.
