Apple has shifted its release strategy for the iPad Pro this year, breaking away from its traditional timeline. However, new production details suggest that the device will hit stores earlier than expected.
Mass production of OLED panels for the M5 iPad Pro has begun, according to a report coming out of Korea. Samsung and LG are handling display production for different sizes – 11-inch and 13-inch variants – which indicates that the launch is nearing.
The company’s suppliers are also being prepared for the upcoming devices, including the upgrade of OLED displays for the iPad Air and iPad mini lineups. The first to receive this upgrade will be the iPad mini next year, followed by the iPad Air in 2027.
Design-wise, apart from the new M5 chip, Apple is not expected to make major changes to the device’s design. However, a notable switch is the landscape orientation of the Apple logo on the back of the iPad Pro. This will ensure that the logo remains upright when held in landscape mode.
The M5 chip will be based on TSMC’s 3nm process, promising computational and graphical performance gains over the current M4 chip. Whether this upgrade justifies a switch from the previous model is unclear, but with mass production underway, the iPad Pro’s release is now expected to happen later this year or in October/November.
Source: https://wccftech.com/apple-m5-ipad-pro-mas-production-and-design-change