Apple#039;s iPad Pro
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A supply chain source contradicts its own reports and makes an incredibly dubious claim that the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro will return to LCD backlighting instead of mini -LED it was added in 2021.
The next iPad Pro is expected in 2024, and it was previously rumored that Apple would add an updated OLED display either in this generation or the next one later in the year. Now Digitimes says no, the next model will revert to the backlit LCD panels it had three years ago.
“Industry sources have reported that Apple is releasing new iPad Pro models,” the publication said, “both the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro model and the new iPad Air feature traditional LCD backlighting. rather than the mini-LEDs that Apple introduced in its premium 12-9-inch [model].”
It's not like Apple is going back years to previous technology. It also doesn't seem like there's a way to present this as a benefit when selling the new iPad Pro to customers.
Obviously, older technology will inevitably be cheaper to produce, but Apple isn't known for giving customers savings. So it's unlikely that this iPad Pro will sell for less, and if it doesn't, Apple will have a hard time selling the new model as an upgrade.
The tablet market appears to be shrinking, so it might make sense for Apple to release a cheaper iPad Pro. Except that all the reports that say tablet sales are falling also say the iPad is performing better than anyone else.
It seems more likely that Digitimes is confusing the iPad Pro with the recently rumored 12.9-inch iPad Air. Given that the only benefit of bringing back the LCD backlight to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is that it would allow Apple to lower the cost, it would also presumably narrow the price difference between this iPad Pro and any new 12.9-inch iPad Air.
Also, a recent rumor about a larger iPad Air comes from Digitimes.
Moreover, the first report of this rumor in Digitimes was on October 19, 2023, in the form of a teaser for a more complete report that would be released on October 20, 2023. Unless there's another Digitimes report about the iPad Air, it seems like that's what the teaser was referring to.
Digitimes does have a good reputation for sourcing, but much worse for the conclusions it draws about Apple's plans. And now, it seems, it’s also bad for reading your own articles.
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