Last month Korean website The Elec reported that Apple plans to release new iPad Pro models with OLED screens in the second half of 2021, with Samsung and LG already developing the screens.
/article-new/2020/11/iPad-pro-top-feature.jpg?resize=560%2C315&ssl=1)
However, after recent discussions with Apple vendors, Barclays analysts Blayne Curtis, Thomas O’Malley, Tim Long and their associates said an iPad with an OLED screen doesn’t appear to be in the works for 2021. In a new research note, shared with MacRumors, the analysts said a launch is unlikely until 2022 at the earliest.
The timeframe offered by Barclays certainly sounds more reasonable, as many rumors suggest Apple plans to release at least one iPad Pro model with Mini LED backlighting in the first half of 2021, and it seems pretty soon for Apple to Switch display technology twice. within the same year with the release of OLED models.
Apple already uses OLED screens for the iPhone X and later and all Apple Watch models, with advantages over LCD screens such as higher brightness, improved contrast, increased energy efficiency, wider viewing angles and more.
Apple last refreshed the iPad Pro in March, but it was a relatively minor update, with new features including an A12Z Bionic chip that is essentially an A12X chip with an additional GPU core enabled, an Ultra Wide camera , a LiDAR scanner and better sounding microphones. To that end, the iPad Pro got a major redesign in October 2018, with slimmer bezels, Face ID and a USB-C port instead of a Lightning connector.
Barclays analysts were the first to claim that Apple was planning to stop including a charger with iPhones. In the past, they’ve also accurately revealed that True Tone is coming to the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, the removal of the headphone jack adapter on iPhone XS and iPhone XR models, and the removal of 3D Touch on all iPhone 11 models.