New OLED iPad Pro Could be as Expensive as a MacBook Pro
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Korean language publication The Elec has published a new supply chain report claiming that Apple’s much-anticipated 2024 iPad Pro with OLED screens will cost nearly as much as some MacBook models. This is thanks to the expensive new cutting-edge OLED screens that Apple is expected to use.
The report says the new iPad Pro models’ pricing could be as much as 80% more than the current iPad Pros. The Elec says its supply chain sources have informed it that the new OLED-equipped 11-inch iPad Pro will start at around $1,500. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which The Elec repeatedly refers to as a 13-inch model, is said to cost as much as 60% more, likely starting at around $1,800.
These price estimates are higher than the price of some current MacBook models sold by Apple. (The 13.6-inch M2-powered MacBook Air’s base price starts at $1,199, while the base price for the M2-powered 13-inch MacBook Pro begins at $1,299.)
The publication says its industry insiders are divided in their response to the potentially uber-expensive OLED iPad Pro prices. The Elec reports that those saying they’re in favor of the giant leap in price say it is “a reasonable increase even considering that it is an Apple product with loyal customers.”
As for the sources that are against the price hikes, they say that iPad buyers don’t have the same loyalty that iPhone buyers do and that customers have plenty of alternatives to Apple’s professional-level tablet, making it difficult for the Cupertino firm to maintain the existing iPad Pro sales level at the anticipated $1500 – $1800 price points.
Apple is said to be negotiating display pricing with LG Display and Samsung Display. Both companies are expected to share OLED panel manufacturing for the 2024 iPad Pro. The display specifications are said to require manufacturing processes that have never before been combined when manufacturing OLED panels of the sizes required by Apple.
The current price for OLED panels being used in current 10-inch tablet devices costs in the neighborhood of $100 to $150. However, the costs for using the processes involved in manufacturing the new 11-inch and 13-inch OLED panels could run closer to $270 and $350, respectively. As usual, these price estimates could change, as the OLED panels are still in the development stage, so it will be a while before final panel pricing has been finalized.
While Samsung is reported to be setting up eight-generation OLED production lines. While the new production lines could result in lower-priced OLED panels, the panels from the new production lines are already destined for Apple’s upcoming OLED-equipped MacBooks, expected to be available sometime in 2024.
As is usual for rumor-based reports like this, it must be mentioned that supply chain sources like those providing info to The Elec don’t necessarily have any inside knowledge of Apple’s internal pricing plans. While they can certainly make an educated guess about pricing, we won’t know exactly what Apple will be charging until the new iPad Pros are unveiled.
This story first appeared on Mactrast.com
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]
