11-inch iPad Pro and Studio Display may have to wait for mini-LED screens

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Despite hopes that Apple's new Studio Display might get mini-LEDs sooner than later, it might not happen.
Despite hopes that Apple's new Studio Display might get mini-LEDs sooner than later, it might not happen.
Photo: Apple

It appears unlikely Apple will roll out any new products with mini-LED displays in 2022 because of concerns about cost, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in a tweet Wednesday. That would include hoped-for updates to the 11-inch iPad Pro and the recently released Studio Display.

Kuo clarified that Cupertino’s existing mini-LED products, such as the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, may be updated this year.

New uses of mini-LED unlikely in 2022

Apple’s existing products with mini-LED displays include the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, 14-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro.

If it turns out to be true, Kuo’s tweet means a mini-LED version of the Studio Display released this year won’t be in the cards during the remainder of 2022. Some had predicted a mini-LED Studio Display would launch as soon as June.

Kuo’s prediction appears to contradict some information shared by display industry consultant Ross Young. Earlier this week he said Apple could launch a 27-inch monitor with mini-LEDs in June, possibly for Mac Pro. He added he thought the display would have a 5K resolution and may include ProMotion for up to a 120Hz refresh rate.

 

However, like Kuo, Young also predicted no mini-LED for the 11-inch iPad Pro.

From Young in a DSCC report:

Apple is taking share with just a single product for the rest of this year in this category. While it was previously thought that Apple would also introduce MiniLEDs to the 11” iPad Pro, we no longer believe that is the case, at least not this year. Apple is reportedly targeting its MiniLEDs on larger and more expensive displays. We do expect Apple to introduce MiniLEDs on a 27” monitor, which could be launched in June with its Mac Pro. We believe the 27” MiniLED monitor will have 5K resolution and an oxide backplane. It may adopt 120Hz as well, but 5K at 120Hz would require HDMI 2.1 and would limit the number of Apple devices that would work with this display.

Both Kuo and Young have respectable track records, including when it comes to display-related information for upcoming Apple products. We’ll have to see whether Apple announces any new mini-LED products this year or sticks to updating only existing mini-LED devices.

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