Apple is reportedly working on new high-end iPad and MacBook models featuring mini-LED displays, according to respected industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo who claims the new hardware will launch beginning late 2020.
According to Kuo, the new high-end iPad and MacBook models will each use approximately 10,000 LEDs, compared to 576 in Apple’s upcoming 32-inch, 6K Pro Display XDR. The report suggests Apple is preferring the use of mini-LED style panels opposed to OLED because although both technologies offer a similar color gamut, mini-LED is not as susceptible to image burn in.
The latest report from Kuo doesn’t touch upon the sizing for the new high-end models, although previously it has been claimed the hardware will have 10-12 inch and 15-17 inch display sizes respectively.
Offering Mini-LED displays will allow for Apple to produce thinner and lighter products, alongside offering a wide color gamut performance, high contrast and HDR, and local dimming – a technology that dims the backlight behind areas of the screen that are displaying black while keeping the bright parts of the screen bright.
Kuo predicts Apple’s new Mini-LED iPad models will launch between the fourth quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021, with the updated high-end MacBook models following during the first quarter and second quarter of 2021.