OLED iPad Pro: Price rumors, spec leaks & more
AppleAn OLED iPad Pro might finally be happening, and it may launch very soon. Here’s everything you need to know, including price rumors, spec leaks, and more.
OLED displays aren’t exactly breaking news in the tablet world. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S9 lineup already rocks these panels, while iPads have been stuck with LCDs. Apple did introduce mini-LED displays with the iPad Pro 6, but OLED has remained absent from the iPad family.
That might change soon as the Cupertino company could finally unveil the OLED iPads we’ve all been dreaming of. The new iPad would likely be an upgrade over the current iPad Pro 6 models.
Apple may also introduce a more powerful chipset with the OLED iPad Pros, alongside improvements in charging and onboard storage. That said, the pricing of the new iPads may see a slight bump. Read on as we discuss rumors of the upcoming OLED iPad Pro.
OLED iPad Pro: Rumored release timeline
The OLED iPad Pros might be announced during Apple’s Let Loose event on May 7. However, the company hasn’t officially confirmed the launch date yet. The event will be held on May 7 at 7 a.m. PT and you can watch it live on YouTube or the Apple website.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported earlier this month that Apple wants to launch the OLED iPad Pro in May, so an announcement during the Let Loose event seems plausible.
OLED iPad Pro: Expected price
The OLED displays used in the rumored iPad Pros may lead to an increase in price. The current 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $799, while the 12.9-inch model with mini-LED display is priced at $1,099. DigiTimes claimed that the new iPad Pro models could be up to $160 more expensive.
The Elec reports more shocking numbers, stating that the 11-inch OLED iPad Pro could be priced starting at $1,500, while the 13-inch model could cost $1,800.
OLED iPad Pro: News and specs rumors
The new iPad Pro 7 will launch in two sizes, just like the iPad Pro 6. You get an 11-inch version and a larger 13-inch model, and from current rumors, it’s clear that both models will be equipped with OLED displays.
Countless industry reports have claimed that Apple is ditching LCD and mini-LED displays on the new iPad Pro lineup, instead opting for new OLED panels. OLED panels are lighter, thinner, consume less energy, and offer superior viewing angles. They also boast significantly improved black levels.
A new report citing DSCC analyst Ross Young suggests that Apple might announce more than one OLED iPad Pro at the upcoming event. He also suggested that the panels on these upcoming iPads are “expected to be the best OLED tablet panels on the market.”
He further explains that these display panels will have advanced features like “LTPO, 120Hz refresh, a tandem stack and glass thinning resulting in ultra-thin and light displays with high brightness, extended battery life and long lifetime.”
This effectively translates into very thin, vibrant, and bright displays, with refresh rates varying between 1-120Hz depending on the displayed content. Reducing the refresh rate to the bare minimum makes the display extremely power efficient.
Many leaks suggested the new iPad Pro would use the M3 chip, but Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman throws a curveball. He claims Apple will leapfrog the M3 and equip the iPad Pro with the unannounced M4 chip. This chip’s improved neural engine could even lead Apple to market the tablet as an AI-driven device.
Apple introduced the M3 chip series with the MacBook Pros in October 2023. The new chip comes with improved performance in CPU and GPU tasks, and better energy efficiency. Details about the M4 chip are limited at the moment.
AppleReports claim that Apple is also making changes to the iPad Pros’ dimensions, and they both might come with a thinner build. According to 9to5Mac, the upcoming 11-inch iPad Pro will have dimensions of 249.7 mm x 177.5 mm x 5.1 mm, while the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro could measure 281.5 mm x 215.5 mm x 5.0 mm.
That’s not a very huge difference, but certainly a good improvement. Apple is also rumored to double the storage capacity of the next-generation iPad Pro models compared to its current iPad Pro lineup, which maxes out at 2TB of storage. The upcoming iPad Pros may feature up to 4TBs of onboard storage.
Elsewhere, the OLED iPad Pro could come with a new Magic Keyboard that includes a larger trackpad as well as the third-gen Apple Pencil and MagSafe charging.
Mark Gurman reported in his newsletter on March 10 that Apple is working on a different iPadOS 17.4 build for the OLED iPad Pro. He didn’t reveal what’s the difference.
Should you wait for the OLED iPad Pro?
The new OLED iPad Pro is rumored to pack some serious upgrades compared to current models. If you’re shopping for a new tablet, holding off until May to see what Apple unveils might be a smart move.
However, the OLED iPad Pro might be more suited for power users due to its potentially higher price tag. If you’re looking for a more affordable option without needing all the bells and whistles, check out the upcoming iPad Air 6. And if you already have the latest iPad Pro, you’re probably good to stick with it for now.
