Apple is late to the party, but the two new iPad Pros will feature by far the best OLED tablet panels on the market with 120Hz, high brightness, and long lifetime, according to DSCC.

Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) has published its expectations for the new iPad Pro models that are expected to be unveiled at the "Let Loose" event on May 7, based on its supply chain sources.

- "With Apple the dominant tablet supplier, the shift to OLED will drive significant growth for the OLED tablet market in 2024," wrote Ross Young, CEO of DSCC.

- "The OLED iPad panels are expected to be by far the best OLED tablet panels on the market with LTPO, 120Hz refresh, a tandem stack and glass thinning resulting in ultra-thin and light displays with high brightness, extended battery life and long lifetime."

Young added that it "should certainly be the brightest tablet on the market". Samsung and a few other brands have been selling tablets with OLED displays for many years.

All current iPad Pro models use traditional LCD panels, with the 12.9-inch model featuring an LCD panel with miniLED local dimming. Apple switched to OLED display technology in iPhone with iPhone X in 2017.

 Also read: Report: Apple planning to switch to OLED displays in iPad, Macbook & iMac


11" iPad Pro to be supply constrained
DSCC claims that production of the OLED panel for the 11.1-inch iPad Pro is behind schedule due to Samsung Display (SDC) experiencing light leakage challenges in the new tandem stack where multiple layers of OLED are stacked.

As a result, it is expected that the 11.1-inch iPad Pro will experience supply constraints.

LG Display will reportedly be the exclusive supplier of the 12.9-inch OLED panel.

- "12.9” volumes have been higher than 11.1” each month and more than 60% of the February to May total, even though the 11.1” model will have a lower price point and was expected to have higher volumes. Why is that? We hear it is due to SDC having light leakage challenges in the tandem stack contributing to lower yields. With LGD the exclusive 12.9" supplier and also contributing some 11.1" volumes, it is expected to account for 65% of the February to May volumes of the OLED iPads, a rare win for LGD vs. SDC in mobile OLEDs," wrote Ross Young.

Apple is also expected to announce new 10.9-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Air models that will both remain on LCD panels with edge-lit LED.

- Source: DSCC