Perhaps the most rumored upgrade for the iPad Pro 2024 is a move to OLED screen technology, instead of the mini-LED screen on the iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) and the LCD screen on the iPad Pro 11 (2022). This change would likely improve the screen’s contrast, and now Apple’s own software is also pointing toward OLED.
9to5Mac has found new display firmware for unannounced iPad models in code from the iPadOS 17.5 beta, and claims the firmware suggests these upcoming iPads will have OLED screens. Since this is official Apple software, this is pretty close to confirming that OLED is planned.
While the tablets aren’t mentioned by name, their descriptors (iPad16.3, iPad16.4, iPad16.5, and iPad16.6) are apparently identifiers for the iPad Pro 2024, according to 9to5Mac’s analysis, with four listed because the The tablet is expected to be available in two sizes (11 inches and 12.9 inches) and in both Wi-Fi and cellular versions.
The presence of these identifiers in iPadOS 17.5 code also suggests that the iPad Pro 2024 is likely to launch quite soon, which is in line with previous leaks, the most recent of which suggested the iPad Pro 2024 could launch the week of May 6 .
A new stylus for a new tablet
When the iPad Pro 2024 launches, it could happen alongside a new Apple Pencil 3, which we’ve also heard rumors about, and 9to5Mac has seen more evidence of in iPadOS 17.5.
Recently, the same site found evidence that this stylus would add a ‘squeeze’ gesture, and newly found code in iPadOS 17.5 adds that there will apparently be ‘LongSqueeze’ and ‘DoubleSqueeze’ gestures as well.
So that would give you a trio of shortcuts or other functions built into the stylus, which you could activate by squeezing it in different ways.
It could be a big year for iPads, as in addition to the iPad Pro 2024, we’re also expecting the iPad Air 6. Then, reports suggest – likely later in the year – that Apple may also launch the iPad 11 and iPad mini 7. If you’ve been waiting for a new iPad, this could be the year to upgrade.