Apple's Upcoming OLED iPad Pro in 2024 Will Be More Expensive Because of New Production Process

OLED iPad Pros are expected to be released by next year, according to previous rumors. However, it's most likely that Apple will launch the new 11.1-inch and 13-inch models at a higher price than their predecessors, the latest report suggests.

According to The Elec, a news outlet based in South Korea, their pricing will shoot up because of the expensive panel production process.

With Samsung and LG Display being the subject of alleged discussion about the upcoming iPad Pro model, its specifications are expected to offer more quality than the standard versions.

OLED iPad Pro Panel Production

With the expected procurement cost that will be assigned to the 2024 iPad Pro with OLED, Apple might need to tweak the new pricing for the product.

Macrumors writes in its report that there are three production processes involved in making this OLED iPad Pro a reality. The first one is all about the two-stack tandem structure, which focuses on improving the lifespan of the OLED screen.

At the time, the iPhones only used a single-stack structure which was quite good for the company's part. However, if the Cupertino tech firm aims to extend tablet usage for longer periods, then two-stack panels should be put in place of the single-stack panels.

Other than that, another process in panel production is the use of LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) thin film transistors. This particular method is centered on switching the pixels on and off.

The third and last process tackles the hybrid OLED structure. This one aims to produce a thinner panel by combining the OLED thin-film encapsulation and OLED glass substrates.

How Much is the 2024 OLED iPad Pro?

Since a costly panel production process is on the way to bring new features to the OLED iPad Pro, the 10-inch model is assumed to sit at around $100 to $150, according to The Elec.

Meanwhile, the 11.1-inch iPad Pro model might be priced at around $270, while its 13-inch counterpart will have an estimated value of $350.

Because of the expensive material costs, Apple plans to recover some of its investments by raising the retail prices and passing them on to the consumers.

For reference, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which boasts a mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR display, is currently priced at $1,099. The smaller one, which has an 11.9-inch display, is cheaper at a starting price of $799.

If you can't wait for the 2024 OLED iPad Pros, you can opt to purchase the 2023 edition models. MacWorld shares some of the best options you can buy in the market, including the 2021 9th-gen iPad, the 2022 10.9-inch iPad, and more.