Apple is working to release a new iPad Pro model in the first half of 2024, but considering the production concerns, we might see another delay soon, and the launch could stretch to WWDC 2024 or later. However, certain factors highlight that the iPad Pro with OLED display could launch sooner than expected, as Apple's latest iPadOS 17.5 beta houses references to the unreleased device and the technology it will bring to the table.
iPad Pro with OLED display referenced in the new iPadOS 17.5 beta, expected to launch next month
Initially, the company was expected to launch OLED iPad Pro models in the second half of last year, potentially alongside the M3 MacBook Pro launch, but the company decided to announce the new notebooks alone. Since then, the iPad Pro has seen several delays, beginning from early January to May, and now, it is unclear if the company's May launch time frame has any heft. The iPad Pro is expected to house one of the biggest additions the iPad lineup has ever received, as Apple's latest iOS 17.5 beta has confirmed the arrival of the OLED display.
Almost a month after the company seeded iOS 17.4, Apple released its highly anticipated iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 beta 1 to developers last week. The latest beta houses a handful of new additions, and it is now discovered by 9to5mac that there are references to the unreleased iPad Pro and the OLED display technology it will bring to the lineup. The publication suggests that iPadOS 17.5 beta includes display firmware references for the iPad Pro, which you can check out below.
- iPad16,3
- iPad16,4
- iPad16,5
- iPad16,6
The details potentially belong to the 11-inch and 13-inch OLED iPad Pro models for the WiFi and Cellular variants, justifying four identifiers instead of two. The identifiers also corroborate past rumors and reports of the OLED display technology coming with the release of new iPad Pro models, which different suppliers will develop. We have previously reported that Apple has requested Samsung and LG to manufacture the OLED display for the iPad Pro, and based on supply chain sources, Samsung is having a hard time keeping up with the required yields. The company has recalibrated the order ratio between the two suppliers, with LG getting more business from Apple for the 13-inch panels.
iPadOS 17.5 beta also includes references to a new Apple Pencil with "squeeze" functionality, and the latest information highlights additional features that will be part of the mix. The current model of the accessory only supports Double Tap, but it appears that the upcoming upgrade will make room for a "LongSqueeze" and "DoubleSqueeze" addition. Apple has yet to announce an event for the OLED iPad Pro launch, and as WWDC 2024 gets closer, we suspect the company could announce the products at its software 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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