Apple may not use mini LED displays for its upcoming iPad Air model, here’s why

Apple iPad Air 12.9-inch display: What to expect

Apple may use LCD panels for its upcoming 12.9-inch iPad Air models. Previous rumours suggested that just like the iPad Pro , the Cueprtino-based tech giant was planning to use mini-LED for its upcoming 12.9-inch iPad Air models. However, a recent report claims that the iPad Air models that are likely to sport a bigger display (which are expected to launch at the company’s upcoming “Let Loose” event scheduled for May 7) and may feature an LCD panel just like its smaller sibling.Earlier this month, multiple supply chain sources as well as Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) CEO and analyst Ross Young , said that the rumoured ‌iPad Air‌ with a larger display is expected to feature a mini-LED display like the current iPad Pro model of the same size.To compare, the existing 10.9-inch ‌iPad Air‌ is equipped with a standard LCD panel. Moving to the mini-LED technology for the 12.9-inch model would have offered upgrades like increased brightness for HDR content, deeper blacks, lower power consumption and more.Previously, he said that the 12.9-inch ‌iPad Air‌ models may use the leftover mini-LED display panels from the 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌. Meanwhile, the 10.9-inch model will stick to LCD screens.However, in a recently shared locked post (avialable only to paid subscribers) on social media platform X (earlier Twitter) , Young notes that the 12.9-inch iPad Air models may not use mini LED displays due to the panel's high cost. As a result, both ‌iPad Air‌ models will feature LCD displays. This will make the ‌iPad Pro‌ a clear upgrade which is expected to move to OLED screens.However, Young added that Apple may launch a new iPad model with a 12.9-inch mini-LED display in the fourth quarter of 2024.The speculated device might be a high-end ‌iPad Air‌, a low-end ‌iPad Pro‌, or something else entirely.