New iPad Air must maintain the common LCD screen of the previous generation

Contrary to reports about the adoption of a Mini LED screen, new rumors indicate that the next iPad Air should maintain the common LCD display used in the previous generation

Contrary to recent information that pointed to the adoption of Mini LED panels in the iPad Air 6, new rumors suggest that Apple’s next mid-range tablet, which is scheduled to be launched in May, should maintain the common LCD display of the current generation — the decision would have the objective to keep costs low and thus offer more affordable prices to users. However, the technology could return to stores later this year, in a new iPad model.

Typically reliable source of leaks, analyst and CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC), Ross Younghad suggested last week that the iPad Air 6, Apple’s next mid-range tablet, would bring notable screen upgrades by adopting a panel with Mini LED backlighting.

Present in some premium TVs and the iPad Pro with a 12.9-inch M2 chip, the technology replaces the traditional LED lamps used in LCD screens with much smaller options (the reason behind the name Mini LED), which make it possible to control hundreds of lighting zones that turn on and off individually. With this, the screen can be closer to the functioning of an OLED display, offering more intense brightness and contrast, although there are still certain limitations.

The excitement that the news could generate was short-lived: Young published a more complete report for subscribers to X (formerly Twitter) suggesting that this possibility is ruled out — the new iPad Air should continue to rely on the traditional LCD, even with the arrival of a larger 12.9-inch model.

As the analyst explains, the decision would be a consequence of the high cost of Mini LED panels, a curious situation when we consider that previous reports suggested that leftovers from the iPad Pro would be used, which in theory could make these costs less burdensome. In any case, the new information signals that this year’s iPad Air should have timid advances, probably focused on performance with the arrival of the M2 chip and the debut of the larger option.

That being said, Ross Young indicates that the Cupertino giant still has no intention of abandoning advanced screen technology. It appears that a new iPad model with a 12.9-inch Mini LED display would be presented in the last quarter of 2024 (between October and December).

It is not known exactly whether the device in question would debut a new series of tablets, or whether it would be sold as a variant of the existing series, while the specifications of the device are unknown, so it may be a good idea to take this information with caution.

It won’t be long before we get to know the next generation of the iPad Air — alongside the long-awaited iPad Pro with M3 chip and OLED screen, and the Apple Pencil 3 with interchangeable tips, the new feature should debut at the “Let Loose” event, scheduled for 7th May.

Source: PhoneArena

Trending on Canaltech: