Apple is planning major upgrades for the iPad Pro lineup this year. We are expecting the high-end iPad Pro models to feature an OLED display with an overall redesigned chassis. However, we have also previously reported that the iPad Pro could cost as much as the M3 Pro MacBook Pro with 1TB of storage. A new report now claims that the OLED iPad Pro's price hike will not equal initial speculations.
Apple's OLED iPad Pro models will see a price hike of up to $160, a justifiable amount considering the upgrades
It was previously reported that the OLED iPad Pro models will start at $1,500 for the 11-inch model and $1,800 for the 13-inch model. It was believed that the price hike was because of the new OLED panels and the redesigned chassis. However, the higher price tag would have allowed Apple to sell fewer units of the iPad. While the company will increase the price of the forthcoming iPad Pro, the jump is not as big as initially expected.
A new report from DigiTimes claims that the price of the OLED iPad Pro could be increased by up to $160 for the base model. While it is still a substantial increase, the price will be nowhere near $1,800. Currently, the 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $799, and the 12.9-inch model with a mini-LED display starts at $1,099.
If we take DigiTime's speculations into consideration, the 11-inch OLED iPad Pro could be roughly priced at $949 and $1,199 for the 13-inch model. However, these are our initial speculations as the final word rests with Apple. Nonetheless, the prices mentioned show an incremental increase. OLED displays are more expensive to manufacture, and most of the majority of the price hikes would correspond to the new panels. However, the display is not the only reason the company is seeking a price hike.
Apple is also planning to use TSMC's 3nm M3 chip in the iPad Pro, which will further add to the cost of the device. Additionally, a redesigned chassis with rumored novelty features like MagSafe will also contribute to the OLED iPad Pro's price hike. One rumor also stated that the OLED iPad Pro could cost as much as $2,000. However, it could be referring to higher storage variants of the device. Nonetheless, the latest details on the OLED iPad Pro prices are comparatively more justifiable.
Apple's decision to switch to OLED panels from LCD and mini-LED will offer better color accuracy on the iPad Pro, along with deeper blacks and higher contrast ratios. Furthermore, the OLED display is more energy-efficient, which means that the devices could feature better battery life compared to current models. The company is expected to launch the OLED iPad Pro models by the end of next month at its Spring event.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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