Today, the reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has spread the word on how Apple will focus on supplying Mini-LED & microLED displays for their upcoming products.
According to an investor note obtained by 9to5Mac, Kuo states that Apple’s investment strategy focusing on new device screens like Mini-LED will speed up the adoption of the new kind of screens to all of the company’s major products.
Mini-LED
Kuo divides Apple’s strategy into five parts from 2019-2026, with the Cupertino-based company now focuses on reducing the price of Mini-LED technology and diversifying supply risk. Kuo also says that the company is “actively looking for second suppliers of key Mini- LED components.”
The analyst notes that MacBooks and not iPads will power the Mini-LED shipments. This is mainly due to his expectations of MacBook shipments to grow by 20% in 2021 and 2022.
“We believe that MacBooks, not iPads, mainly drive Mini-LED panel shipments. MacBook shipments have not grown much in the past few years. However, we expect MacBook shipments to grow significantly by 20% YoY, or more in 2021 and 2022, due to the adoption of Mini LED panels, Apple Silicon, and all-new designs.”
Apple is expected to unveil new MacBooks in the next few months where they could feature Mini-LED technology in addition to faster M1X/M2 Silicon, MagSafe, SD slot, and HDMI ports.
For now, only the new 12.9″ iPad Pro features a Mini-LED display. Kuo predicts Apple to feature the display technology on all iPad Pro models next year.
Micro-LED
From 2023-2024, Kuo states that the production cost of Micro-LED will “improve significantly”, and that the technology will be a “market focus from 2023 onwards”.
“We believe Apple is developing Micro-LED technology, but the production schedule is not yet confirmed. We also think that if the Mini-LED is successful, it will help more companies invest in Micro-LED design and R&D and help to realize Micro-LED mass production.”
While similar in name, the Micro-LED technology is different from Mini-LED. Mainly in the usage of a backlight to light up the display, which Micro-LED does not do.
Due to the high-end tech usage of the Mini-LED display on the iPad Pro, and the rumor that suggests Apple will adopt OLED displays on iPads in 2022, Micro-LED is the ultimate goal for Apple on its big-screen products like iPads and MacBooks.
