The next iPad Pro is due soon, but a new report claims that one of the two sizes, the model with the 11-inch screen, could be in very short supply at first. Supply issues are something Apple usually manages to overcome, but that may not be the case this time.
Apple iPad Pro 2022 - is the next Pro just days away?
The claim comes from Ross Young, a highly respected analyst with special knowledge of displays, who reports in a post on X (for paid subscribers), that production for the smaller model is behind schedule.
One of the most highly anticipated elements of the next iPad Pro is that it is expected to swap an LCD screen with miniLED backlights for an OLED display. Not only is this exciting, but it means that both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPads Pro will have the same screen technology for the first time in years.
Right now, only the larger, 12.9-inch, screen has the impressive miniLED lights. The 11-incher just has a regular LCD screen.
Ross claims that LG Display is about to start shipping the 11-inch OLED panels (Ross calls these 11.1-inch, though it’s not yet clear whether that’s a more precise description or the display size is going to increase).
Samsung is also producing panels for this size iPad, and LG Display is also making screens for the larger iPad Pro.
But, Ross says, the production of the smaller model displays “looks to be behind” the larger one.
This could mean that availability of the smaller tablet will be constricted, at least at first.
In turn, this means that as soon as the release date is announced, would-be buyers will need to be nimble to snag one for the onsale date. Which will be when, exactly?
On Sunday, March 10, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg in his latest Power On newsletter, said that there’s not long to wait. Gurman said, “Apple is preparing to launch revamped iPad Pros, new iPad Airs (including a 12.9-inch version), a Magic Keyboard and upgraded Apple Pencil. Look for that new hardware around the end of March or in April, as that’s when the accompanying iPadOS 17.4 software should be ready to go.”
There have been rumors that the new iPads could be announced as soon as today, which didn’t happen. My belief is that the week commencing next Monday, March 18 is possible, but more likely, the following week, perhaps on Monday, March 25.
While the recent MacBook Air unveil was on Monday, March 4, followed by a Friday, March 8 onsale date, I don’t think things will be as hectic as that for the iPad Pro.
Right now, I think the announcement could be on March 25, with the onsale date right after Easter, on Friday, April 5. Check back for more details as they come to light.
