DigiTimes: Apple to Launch 12.9-Inch iPad Pro and MacBooks With Mini-LED Displays by End of 2020

Apple plans to launch a 12.9-inch iPad Pro and multiple notebook models with Mini-LED backlit displays by the end of 2020, according to industry sources cited by Taiwanese publication DigiTimes.

mac ipad pro side by side
This lines up with information shared earlier this week by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who said Apple is developing six products with Mini-LED displays for release by the end of 2021, including new 12.9-inch iPad Pro, 10.2-inch iPad, 7.9-inch iPad mini, 27-inch iMac Pro, 14-inch MacBook Pro, and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.

Kuo expects the new iMac Pro in particular to launch during the fourth quarter of 2020. Apple has not refreshed the iMac Pro since it was originally released in December 2017, so it is well overdue for an update.

DigiTimes claims that Apple will also adopt Mini-LED backlighting for "a few models of LCD monitors," but it is unclear if that refers to the iMac/iMac Pro or standalone displays. Apple's high-end Pro Display XDR uses 576 LEDs, but it is not a Mini-LED display. By comparison, the first iPad and MacBook models with Mini-LED backlighting are expected to have over 10,000 LEDs.

Kuo has previously said that Mini-LED backlit displays will allow for thinner and lighter product designs, while offering many of the same benefits of OLED displays used on the latest iPhones, including good wide color gamut performance, high contrast and dynamic range, and local dimming for truer blacks.

Kuo has also said that Taiwan's largest LED manufacturer Epistar will be one of Apple's suppliers for those iPad and MacBook models.

Related Roundups: iPad Pro, MacBook Pro
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

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Top Rated Comments

jmonte2016 Avatar
69 months ago
My Prediction is Apple will do either a Silent Release or a Pre Recorded small event with just Apple Employees due to Coronavirus.

Just wish they would hurry up as I want my 14 inch Macbook Pro.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nol2001 Avatar
69 months ago
I hope the MacBooks will be 120fps displays.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ursadorable Avatar
69 months ago
isnt the main advantage of mini LED over OLED merely cost?
OLED still suffers from screen burn in for stationary images.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lounge vibes 05 Avatar
69 months ago
And we trust DigiTimes why?
I thought after the AirPods Pro Lite thing, we finally stopped giving these guys attention
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Icaras Avatar
69 months ago
I still don’t understand the logic of bringing this tech to the 12.9” iPad Pro but not the 11”. It’s the same damn product but in a different size.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mdorais Avatar
69 months ago
It's ridiculous to ignore updating the screen on the 11" iPad Pro. I'll just hang onto my current model & skip the next updates until they release the new screen on it.

#missedopportunities
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)