12.9-Inch iPad Pro With Mini-LED Display Possibly 'Delayed' Until Early 2021

The launch of a new high-end 12.9-inch iPad Pro with a Mini-LED display may be "delayed" until early 2021 due to the device's "complex panel design," analyst Jeff Pu said today in an investor note with Chinese research firm GF Securities.

ipad pro 2020 display
Back in December, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple was developing up to six Mini-LED products, including a 12.9-inch iPad Pro with an A14X chip for release in the third quarter of 2020. This was before the global health crisis began, however, so it would be understandable if the timeframe has been pushed back due to supply chain disruptions and Apple engineers being forced to work from home until at least early May.

Last month, leaker Jon Prosser said a new 5G-enabled iPad Pro with an A14X chip and no other hardware changes would be introduced in late 2020, barring any delays. If that proves accurate, it would seem really soon for Apple to update the iPad Pro yet again with a Mini-LED display in early 2021, so rumors are not entirely lining up right now.


Apple just refreshed the iPad Pro last month, but it was a relatively minor update, with new features including an A12Z Bionic chip that has since been found to be an A12X chip with an extra GPU core enabled, an Ultra Wide camera that enables 0.5x zoom, a LiDAR Scanner for enhanced augmented reality, and better sounding microphones. It was the first update to the iPad Pro since the device received a major redesign in October 2018.

Pu also reiterated that Apple is currently on track to release three new iPhone 12 models in September, including one 5.4-inch model and two 6.1-inch models, followed by the highest-end 6.7-inch model in October.

Related Roundups: iPad Pro, iPhone 12
Tag: Jeff Pu
Related Forums: iPad, iPhone

Top Rated Comments

dapa0s Avatar
39 months ago
Makes me feel better about buying the 2020 12.9 inch.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mazz0 Avatar
39 months ago
This would make me sad. A better video viewing experience in the dark is what I most want from my next iPad update, and if I can't have OLED I'll take local dimming LEDs.

Whenever it comes out, I hope it keeps the shape and works with this years Magic Keyboard.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lounge vibes 05 Avatar
39 months ago

Honestly the prices are insane for having to buy every 3 years the whole lineup new. I would expect a cheap upgrade plan.

with luck you can get good bucks for your old device, but with apples inferior built quality the last years, it’s harder and harder. If you are not lucky your 3 year old device is worth 100 bucks, and you paid around 100.
You realize that you don’t have to upgrade every single time. I know people still rocking iPads from 2014 and 2015 that works perfectly fine, and they still get updates. Apple has to release updates to keep up-to-date with technology. That doesn’t mean you have to buy everyone. They update the MacBook Pro every 9 to 10 months or so, and no one really complains about that.


The 2020 iPad Pro is a joke if you already have the 2018. In real world usage, it’s just a poor money grab with no real innovation.
Apple may use portrait for the rear cameras as a selling point on iPad OS 14 but that’s minimal.
I sent my damaged units back and kept my 2018 models after seeing it in person. Truly a waste of update if you asked me.
Allow me to put it to you like this. I imagine that you’re a brand new customer, and you go in to get an iPad Pro, because you really want one, and when you ask them what’s the most up-to-date model, they say, one from two years ago. Doesn’t exactly look good. No if they say, it was just updated last month, that’s going to entice more people to buy it. It doesn’t matter how small the update is, at least it’s a newer modeAllow me to put it to you like this. Imagine that you’re a brand new customer, and you going to get an iPad Pro, because you really want one, and when you ask them what’s the most up-to-date model, they say, one from two years ago. Doesn’t exactly look good. Now if they say, it was just updated last month, that’s going to entice more people to buy it. It doesn’t matter how small the update is, at least it’s a newer model.l
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
EugW Avatar
39 months ago
I would be sad if the 11" iPad Pro doesn't get mini-LED.

If the rumour of the 7.9" iPad mini getting mini-LED turns out to be true, it would be very strange if the 11" didn't.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
citysnaps Avatar
39 months ago
I wouldn't be surprised at all about a 2021 release. Introducing another IPP this year, especially under the current virus situation, would have been crazy.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kylo83 Avatar
39 months ago
Noooo I want the new ipad
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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