Apple has an ace up its sleeve for its next major iPad and MacBook refresh

(Image credit: Apple)

published 30 September 2019

Apple is working on an iPad and MacBook with a high-resolution Mini-LED screen, according to renowned Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo – with sizing ranging between 10-inches and 12-inches for the iPad and 15-inches and 17-inches for the MacBook.

The company is looking to make the switch from OLED to Mini-LED to avoid burn-in issues and to cut its dependence on OLED-maker Samsung, says Kuo.

Instead, LG Display will manufacture the bulk of the Mini-LED screens, while other suppliers will be called upon to bolster inventory as and when required.

Kuo states that the new iPad and MacBook will each bundle around 10,000 LEDs, versus the mere 576 in Apple's 31.6-inch 6K Ultra HD Pro Display XDR. This has been made possible by shrinking the size of each LED to below 200 microns, he notes.

Apple is aiming to release the iPad between the fourth quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2021, followed by the MacBook in the first or second quarter of 2021.

Just don't expect either of them to come cheap.

For reference, the 31.6-inch 6K Ultra HD Pro Display XDR is set to retail for a staggering $4,999 (and probably the same in pounds) when it hits the shelves in the not-too-distant future – and it doesn't have an OLED screen, let alone a Micro-LED.

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Having spent half a decade writing about the latest news for some of the world’s largest publications, Josh is one of the most recognised reporters in the space. Nowadays, in addition to covering the odd news article, he spends most of his time keeping T3's long-form consumer content up to date, while also researching and reporting on the best deals to help you save some serious scratch.