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We last got an iPad Pro refresh in October 2022, when the premium 11-inch and 12.9-inch slates were updated with the Apple M2 processor. According to the rumor mill, those screens will change in 2024 when the next models appear.
This comes from display analyst Ross Young, talking to MacRumors (opens in new tab). First, the display technology will apparently change from the IPS LCD LED (11-inch) and IPS LCD mini-LED (12.9-inch) of the current iPad Pros to OLED – just like the flagship iPhones.
That should mean even better screens in terms of contrast and darker blacks, although the bezels attached to the current iPad Pro range are already impressive. We’ve been hearing rumors for a while that Apple would move to OLED on its iPads.
Changing sizes
There will also be a change in screen sizes, says Young. The 11-inch iPad Pro becomes an 11.1-inch iPad Pro, while the 12.9-inch iPad Pro becomes a 13-inch iPad Pro.
It’s possible that Apple could reduce the bezels on these two premium iPads, keeping the overall dimensions of the slates the same while making the screens slightly larger. OLED panels can also mean thinner and lighter devices.
Plus, despite previous leaks suggesting Apple was working on a super-sized iPad Pro, that’s apparently no longer on the way, according to Young. It looks like Apple is sticking with the two formats we talked about at least for the next iteration.
Analysis: Making the iPad Pros more Pros
The iPad Pros have always been high-end luxury devices for those on a big budget who need as much power as possible: keep in mind that the entry-level iPad (yours for $449 / £499 / AU$749) pretty much does it all what the more expensive models do.
Once the move to OLED is made, that will be another differentiator that will help justify the high price of the iPad Pro models. Whether these slates will cost the same remains to be seen – but we assume that’s what Apple is aiming for.
The change in format is less interesting, although Apple clearly wants to keep a large iPad Pro in its range. Not only does it offer more screen real estate, but it also gives buyers a reason to consider one of the more expensive tablets over the iPad Air.
With these updated tablets apparently launching in 2024, it could be a quiet 2023 in terms of Apple tablets. That might give its competitors time to catch up, but it also means there should be a significant performance boost when the new iPad Pros arrive.