12.9-Inch iPad Air Now Rumored to Feature Mini-LED Display

The rumored 12.9-inch iPad Air that is expected to be announced in May will be equipped with a mini-LED display like the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro, according to Ross Young, CEO of research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants. The existing 10.9-inch iPad Air is equipped with a standard LCD panel, and the move to mini-LED technology for the 12.9-inch model would provide increased brightness for HDR content, deeper blacks, and more.

iPad Air 12
Young revealed this information in a post shared on social media platform X today. He said the 12.9-inch iPad Air will be using leftover mini-LED display panels from the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and he touted lower power consumption as another benefit.

Given that Apple does not have existing inventory of 10.9-inch mini-LED display panels, it is likely that the smaller iPad Air will remain equipped with an LCD panel.

Meanwhile, the next iPad Pro models are widely expected to transition to OLED displays, which would eliminate backlighting to allow for higher contrast ratio with true blacks, and provide other enhancements compared to LCD and mini-LED technologies. The new iPad Pro models are also expected to be announced in May.

Young has a solid track record with display-related Apple rumors, so this information about the iPad Air is likely accurate.

Related Roundup: iPad Air
Buyer's Guide: iPad Air (Buy Now)
Related Forum: iPad

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Top Rated Comments

Rychiar Avatar
16 months ago
can't call this heavy ass thing an "air" just drop that stupid name.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
abatabia Avatar
16 months ago
…..and cost $999 to start I bet.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
boak Avatar
16 months ago
$899 64 GB it is then
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
boak Avatar
16 months ago

Seems they have leftover parts they can use since the Pro will move to OLED. I can’t do without promotion and quad speakers so Pro for me
Not really "leftover". It probably just costs less to use existing tech than to develop another screen around 12.9 inches that has high yields on the mother sheet.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Infodataset Avatar
16 months ago
And...there is no difference between the pros than the camera and refresh rate? Oh 64 gb storage
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
madmin Avatar
16 months ago
Also add FaceID and it's a deal
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)