Mini-LED M1 MacBook Pro and Mini-LED iPad Pro Models Coming First Half of 2021

by

Apple is widely reported to be embracing mini-LED display backlighting technology for some products next year, and a new report today by DigiTimes has named several of Apple's partners in the supply chain that are expected to benefit from the switch.

16 inch MBP Mini Led
According to the report, Apple is set to launch its first mini-LED iPad Pro in the first quarter of 2021 and mass produce mini-LED MacBook Pro models in the second quarter, and a number of Taiwan manufacturers are building a "pre-emptive presence" in the Mini-LED segment in anticipation.

Apple's suppliers in Taiwan, including LED chip vendor Epistar, testing and sorting specialist FitTech, SMT service provider Taiwan Surface Mounting Technology, backlight board supplier Zhen Ding Technology, cooling solution provider Auras Technology and process equipment maker All Ring Technology, are all ready to gain growth momentum from upcoming shipments for Apple's miniLED-backlit devices, the sources said.

The sources continued that Foxconn Technology and Compal Electronics will share the assembly orders for miniLED iPad Pro devices, and MacBook Pro products adopting M1 chipsets will be mainly produced by Quanta Computer and partly by Foxconn.

The report goes on to note that among Apple's supply chain partners, TSMC will still benefit most from these devices, as the foundry has reportedly landed all the 5nm chip manufacturing orders for both ‌Mini-LED‌ ‌iPad Pro‌ and ‌MacBook Pro‌ models. Coupled with strong iPhone sales, 2021 is said to be looking good for TSMC, with first-quarter revenues likely to hit a new high, according to DigiTimes' sources.

According to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, production will begin on mini-LED displays for the ‌iPad Pro‌ in the fourth quarter of 2020, with a launch expected in the first half of 2021. Apple is also believed to be working on new 16.1 and 14.1-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ models with mini-LED displays, which are expected to be released during the first half of 2021.

‌Mini-LED‌ displays offer impressive wide color gamut performance, high contrast and HDR, and local dimming, and Kuo says adoption of the tech will "significantly improve productivity and the entertainment experience."

All future ‌MacBook Pro‌ models are expected to use Apple Silicon chips now that the first ‌Apple Silicon‌ Macs with M1 chip are available.

Tags: DigiTimes, Mini-LED Guide

Popular Stories

iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
Read Full Article • 138 comments
Netflix Smaller 4

Netflix Kills Casting From Its Mobile App to Most Modern TVs

Monday December 1, 2025 4:36 am PST by
Netflix has quietly removed the ability to cast content from its mobile apps to most modern TVs and streaming devices, including newer Chromecast models and the Google TV Streamer. The change was first spotted by users on Reddit and confirmed in an updated Netflix support page (via Android Authority), which now states that the streaming service no longer supports casting from mobile devices...
Read Full Article • 80 comments
Cyber Week Deals 2025

Best Cyber Week Apple Deals Include Big Discounts on AirPods, Apple Watch, and More

Sunday November 30, 2025 7:33 am PST by
Cyber Week is here, and you can find popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more at all-time low prices. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Specifically,...
Read Full Article • 13 comments
Sad Siri Feature

Apple AI Chief John Giannandrea Retiring After Siri Delays

Monday December 1, 2025 2:16 pm PST by
Apple AI chief John Giannandrea is stepping down from his position and retiring in spring 2026, Apple announced today. Giannandrea will serve as an advisor between now and 2026, with former Microsoft AI researcher Amar Subramanya set to take over as vice president of AI. Subramanya will report to Apple engineering chief Craig Federighi, and will lead Apple Foundation Models, ML research, and ...
Read Full Article • 57 comments
studio display purple february

M5 iPad Pro Could Hint at New Studio Display Feature

Sunday November 30, 2025 10:30 am PST by
The updated specs of the M5 iPad Pro may point toward a major new feature for Apple's next-generation Studio Display expected in early 2026. Apple's latest iPad Pro debuted last month and contains one display-related change that stands out: it can now drive external monitors at up to 120Hz with Adaptive Sync. The feature should deliver lower latency, smoother motion, and fewer visual...
Read Full Article • 48 comments
New Intel Logo

Apple and Intel Rumored to Partner on Mac Chips Again in a New Way

Friday November 28, 2025 7:33 am PST by
While all Macs are now powered by Apple's custom-designed chips, a new rumor claims that Apple may rekindle its partnership with Intel, albeit in a new and limited way. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Intel is expected to begin shipping Apple's lowest-end M-series chip as early as mid-2027. Kuo said Apple plans to utilize Intel's 18A process, which is the "earliest...
Read Full Article • 133 comments
iphone black friday gold

The Best Black Friday iPhone Deals Still Available

Friday November 28, 2025 6:24 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...
Read Full Article • 3 comments
maxresdefault

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Monday December 1, 2025 3:00 am PST by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...
Read Full Article • 40 comments
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: Apple's Big Plans for iPad Mini 8

Friday November 28, 2025 8:39 am PST by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through the latest rumors about Apple's upcoming iPad mini 8. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos The next-generation version of the iPad mini is expected to feature an OLED display, as part of Apple's plan to expand the display technology across many more of its devices. Apple's first OLED device was the Apple...
Read Full Article • 31 comments

Top Rated Comments

Steve121178 Avatar
Steve121178
65 months ago
Very tempted with the current M1 Macs, but I know it will be worth the wait for a redesigned MacBook Pro with the very latest tech such as mini-led and hopefully FaceID.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sniffies Avatar
sniffies
65 months ago
M1 has certainly made Mac great again!
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
benz240 Avatar
benz240
65 months ago
Honestly, the only thing keeping me from getting an MBP is the touch bar
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BornAgainMac Avatar
BornAgainMac
65 months ago
I don't like the name "Mini-LED". I prefer "LED Pro".
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sfwalter Avatar
sfwalter
65 months ago

Really? Wait until we see the sales figures on just M1 Macs sold

I hope intel comes out with a RAW power chip that blows the M1 out of the water.

I don't like the way people are bashing Intel. Intel has been making processors a very long time. not Apple

It's Like Steve Jobs is alive again and the Hate and bashing of Intel processors has started all over again.
You won’t see m1 sales figures as Apple simply shows Mac sales overall.

Main reason Apple released the M1 is because of performance issues and constant delays on Intel’s side. Intel is (was) the top performance leader in chip design. However, I think they rested on their laurels. Then they either lost key talent or stopped investing as much in r&d. Which has allowed Apple, AMD, Qualcomm to step up their game.

Apple likely would have stayed with a Intel if they haven’t been so stagnant and continually missed deadlines of their own to get off the 14mm process. Intel is a great company and I hope Intel will use this opportunity to realize they need to invest for their future.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Spock Avatar
Spock
65 months ago

This Touch Bar crisis should be over by now. I f you don't like it you can use it at a very minimum and it's a no-brainer.
Some people like physical function keys and there’s not always a don’t use it option. Just because it’s a no-brainer to you, doesn’t mean it is to everyone else.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments