Apple iPad Pro 2024 Models With M3 Chip Will Feature LTPO OLED Screens

Apple is set to revamp its iPad lineup in the first half of 2024, with the upcoming iPad Pro featuring the Apple M3 chipset and a transition to OLED screens. Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC), has revealed that Apple will incorporate LTPO-based OLED panels in the new iPad Pro, making it the world’s first tablet with tandem stack displays. This advancement not only enhances durability but also significantly reduces power consumption, marking a major leap in Apple’s tablet technology.

The new Apple M3 iPad Pro will be the first of Apple’s iPads to feature a proper OLED screen. While the latest 6th generation iPad Pro includes a mini-LED display, it doesn’t match the quality of a true OLED panel. Reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo have previously indicated that Apple’s switch to OLED panels on the iPad Pro is expected in 2024.

Ross Young’s Twitter post highlights that Apple will go a step further by introducing LTPO OLED screens on the iPad Pro. LTPO, or low-temperature polycrystalline oxide, is an advanced version of OLED that natively supports adaptive refresh rates, aiding in reducing power consumption.

Unlike regular OLED screens that need additional hardware and rely on the device’s GPU to switch between fixed refresh rates, LTPO can adapt to any refresh rate between 1Hz and 120Hz without extra hardware or external processing. This means that when viewing a static image, the LTPO panel will set the refresh rate to 1Hz and instantly switch to 120Hz during scrolling, significantly improving the iPad’s battery life.

Another major upgrade is the introduction of tandem stack display technology, which uses multiple layers of LEDs instead of a single layer in standard OLEDs. This not only makes the display more durable and reduces its thickness but also minimizes the chances of screen burn.

The upcoming iPad Pro will be the first tablet to feature this display technology, typically found in high-end TV sets. Ross Young also notes that the iPad Pro will be the thinnest OLED tablet.

As for the launch date, Apple is expected to release its new iPads in two phases. The base model iPads might launch in the first quarter of 2024, with the iPad Pro tipped for a mid-2024 release. However, Apple has not confirmed any specific release dates for the iPad refresh.

In addition to OLED screens and the Apple M3 chipset, the upcoming iPad Pro is also expected to feature MagSafe support, which might lead to a switch from the regular aluminum back panel to a glass one, enabling wireless charging.