Apple releasing 12.9-inch mini-LED iPad Pro in early 2021, mini-LED MacBook coming after
Apple is reportedly preparing to launch its first mini-LED iPad in early 2021, with a mini LED-backlit MacBook in the pipeline for release in later that year, according to Taiwanese supply chain publication DigiTimes.
As reported by MacRumors, supplier Epistar will supply the over-10,000 mini LEDs to be used in each new iPad Pro model, with Osram Opto supplying mini LEDs for an upcoming “high-end” MacBook, as reported by respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
“Osram Opto Semiconductors is expected to supply backlight-use mini LED for high-end MacBook in second-half 2021, becoming Apple’s second supplier of such chips next to Taiwan-based Epistar.”
“Apple is expected to launch 12.9-inch mini LED-backlit iPad Pro in early 2021, with each tablet to use over 10,000 mini LEDs solely supplied by Epistar, the sources said. Epistar is ready to start production of mini LEDs by modifying its blue-light LED chipmaking equipment for producing such mini LEDs in third-quarter 2020”, DigiTimes claim.
Rumors have been pointing to Apple launching an updated iPad Pro with a mini LED display since the introduction of the current-generation device introduced at the beginning of the year, with sources saying the new iPad will offer the same display quality as OLED but consume less power and allow Apple to create thinner, lighter designs.