A new report from The Elec says Apple will rely on two different OLED display suppliers for its upcoming iPad Pro models, with Samsung exclusively manufacturing 11-inch panels and LG making the 13-inch panels.
The report says Samsung has a firm grip on being the sole supplier of the initial order of OLED displays for the 11-inch iPad Pro model.
While LG was originally also scheduled to begin producing the 11-inch OLED panel, the two panel makers are currently producing only one type of OLED display each. Initial production kicked off at both suppliers last month.
It is presumed that there are several reasons behind the fact that the two panel companies are currently producing only one type of iPad OLED each. Industry insiders estimate that this is due to changes in Apple’s demand outlook for this year’s OLED iPad, as well as the production capacity and production yield of the two panel companies. Since this year is the first year to produce iPad OLEDs, in which many new technologies are applied, it is known that the production yields of the two panel companies are not yet stable.
Apple is rumored to be aiming for “unrivaled” image quality, as well as a design that cuts down on the thickness and weight of the iPad display.
According to the report, the situation may change after production of the initial quantity, depending on fluctuations in production yield and possible adjustments to Apple’s demand forecast for the new OLED iPad Pro models.
Shipments forecast for the year for the iPad Pro have reportedly been reduced to 8 million units, down from the 10 million units that were projected for 2024 last year.
The iPad Pro lineup will mark the first time OLED displays will be used for the iPad lineup. While Apple has been using OLED technology for the iPhone and the Apple Watch, larger OLED screens are more expensive. OLED technology offers several advantages over LCD tech, including increased brightness, higher contrast ratio with deeper blacks, improved power efficiency for longer battery life, and more. Apple already uses OLED displays for all of its Apple Watch and iPhone models, other than the iPhone SE.
The iPad Pro models are also expected to be powered by Apple’s latest M3 chip, which debuted in new MacBook Pro models last year. We could see the new iPad Pro models debut as soon as March 2023.
