Apple is on the verge of unveiling a brand new iPad Pro, and a key upgrade will be the use of OLED screens for the first time, in both size options. As the announcement approaches, new details are emerging about what to expect. According to a recent report, Apple has secured the top-of-the-line OLED panels available for tablets for their upcoming iPad Pro.
These OLED panels are a significant improvement over the current LCD displays. OLED technology utilizes organic materials that light up when an electric current is applied. Unlike LCDs, which require a backlight, OLED panels illuminate each pixel individually. This translates to superior contrast and richer blacks because the display can simply turn off pixels entirely in dark areas of the image.
However, OLED isn’t without its drawbacks. One concern is that OLED panels can be less bright compared to backlit displays, and they can also be susceptible to a phenomenon called burn-in. When Apple introduced OLED displays with the iPhone X in 2017, they assured users they had addressed these limitations.
Analyst reports suggest that the launch of the new iPads may have been slightly delayed due to manufacturing challenges faced by Samsung in producing these advanced OLED panels. It’s clear that Apple is aiming for the absolute best with these displays, showcasing a significant leap forward in technology compared to what’s currently offered in the iPad Pro.
In essence, analysts predict the OLED panels in the new iPad Pro will be the finest ever seen in a tablet, boasting features like LTPO technology for enhanced battery life and a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother visuals.
What does that mean for consumers?
To crank up the brightness while keeping things efficient, Apple went with OLED panels that boast a double-decker design. Imagine two light-emitting layers stacked on top of each other – that’s the secret sauce behind these displays. This fancy structure allows them to shine twice as bright as regular OLED panels. But that’s not all! The double-decker design also significantly extends the lifespan of the display, a major perk for a device like the iPad that’s meant to last.
Young further points out that ditching the backlight makes OLED panels much slimmer than LCD ones. Whispers on the web suggest that the 2024 iPad Pro will be noticeably thinner, likely thanks to this new display tech.
Right now, Apple uses a standard LCD panel in the 11-inch iPad Pro and a mini-LED panel in the bigger 12.9-inch version. Mini-LED offers improved contrast thanks to its multi-point backlighting system, but it can’t hold a candle to OLED’s ability to produce true blacks. On top of that, OLED displays can even squeeze out some extra battery life in certain scenarios.