OLED iPad Pro Price Hikes May Be Lower Than Early Reports Suggested

[MacRumors]

Apple's price increases for its upcoming iPad Pro models with OLED displays could be up to $160, which is substantially lower than early reports have predicted, claims DigiTimes.

Apple's current 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $799, while the 12.9-inch model with a mini-LED display starts at $1,099. Previous reports have claimed that the pricing for the next-generation 11-inch ‌OLED ‌iPad‌ Pro‌ could start at $1,500, while the 13-inch model might start at $1,800.

One report even quoted up to $2,000 for the larger model, although this could be referring to a higher storage tier available for the 13-inch.

DigiTimes does not cite a source for the $160 price increase figure, but if it is accurate or even approximately correct, that could see the starting price of Apple's 11-inch OLED iPad Pro remain under $1,000, with the 13-inch variant starting at around $1,200 to $1,300.

The increase in cost is attributed to the OLED panels, which Apple has not used in iPads before. OLED panels are more expensive to source than LCD panels, and Apple's specific requirements for the screens, such as a very thin design using a tandem-stack design, contribute to the higher cost of these OLED panels compared to others on the market.

On the plus side, OLED technology not only improves display longevity and efficiency but also allows for higher brightness levels. Apple is sourcing these OLED panels from Samsung and LG Display, who are rumored to be developing these special two-stack tandem OLED panels specifically for Apple.

The new iPad Pro models are expected to be powered by Apple's latest M3 chips. MagSafe charging is a possibility for the upcoming devices, and they are also likely to be accompanied by a refreshed version of the Magic Keyboard that includes a larger trackpad to make the ‌iPad Pro‌ look more like a laptop than the current models.

New ‌iPad Air‌ and ‌‌iPad Pro‌‌ models and accompanying accessories are expected to launch around the end of March. For everything else we know about the forthcoming ‌iPad Pro‌ models, be sure to check out our dedicated roundup.

Article Link: OLED iPad Pro Price Hikes May Be Lower Than Early Reports Suggested

 

[BradWI]

Classic strategy. Float a false rumor of massive price hikes to make the actual price increase (which is still significant) more palatable.

 

[zakarhino]

Calling it now they'll get rid of the 128GB variant so people looking to buy it can give themselves the excuse that "well the base storage has also gone up so I guess the price isn't so bad" lol

 

[StuBeck]

The rumors always seemed like trolling, but maybe a bit more questions should be asked before we just start citing everything somoeone says.

 

[SmugMaverick]

The 11" Pro will need to be something spectacular to be worth it over the 12.9" Air that will probably be $799.

Also, 128GB needs to go.

 

[t0rqx]

They were really high. They adjusted based on the initial response on forums.

 

[attohs]

Classic strategy. Float a false rumor of massive price hikes to make the actual price increase (which is still significant) more palatable.

Art of the Deal.

 

[MJaP]

So the savings they are making having an OLED panel rather than a cutting-edge full array local dimming mini LED backlights with thousands of zone aren't being passed onto the consumer then? Sounds like Apple are using the excuse of moving to a new technology (for them) to arbitrarily hike prices even further. Samsung have been putting quality OLED displays in their tablets for years and at much lower price points.

Samsung's current massive 14.6" OLED Tab S9 Ultra is £500 cheaper than the current M2 iPad Pro for the 512gb model.

 

[Antoniosmalakia]

Calling it now they'll get rid of the 128GB variant so people looking to buy it can give themselves the excuse that "well the base storage has also gone up so I guess the price isn't so bad" lol

I keep note of base prices these days, so when new devices get released I can see exactly what prices decreased/increased.

I would skip Apple's website and look elsewhere, because My M3 Pro MacBook Pro RRP is £2,499, but I got a pretty penny off on Amazon and paid £2,280 only the week after release.

 

[contacos]

still wild that they are increasing the price of a product category that is already not selling. Only Apple would do that

 

[azentropy]

Classic strategy. Float a false rumor of massive price hikes to make the actual price increase (which is still significant) more palatable.

That report was never credible, I doubt Apple had anything to do with it. Either it was just made up, got mixed up and was a different product or messed up the currency translation.

 

[a m u n]

Ross Young about iPad Pro: “There is alot more that can be said about the OLED panels. First OLED tablets with LTPO, first OLED tablets with a tandem stack, brightest and longest life OLEDs in tablets, lightest and thinnest OLEDs tablets as well due to glass thinning and TFE.”

 

[JCCL]

Of course there was no way the 1,500 starting price for an iPad Pro 11 would have been right.

 

[Rychiar]

There’s just to reason to jack up the price for oled in 2024🙄 microLED yes but not oled

 

[knightsabre7]

I think there will need to be other notable improvements beyond just the screen and processor to justify anything more than a $100 price increase.

 

[Fuzzball84]

I think there will need to be other notable improvements beyond just the screen and processor to justify anything more than a $100 price increase.

A better OS would be highest on my list…. Higher than a better screen if im honest

 

[Jason2000]

They were really high. They adjusted based on the initial response on forums.

Or these analyst were just guessing and have absolutely no idea what pricing Apple plans to sell at.

 

[Fuzzball84]

Some of the latest LCD panels are not that far off oled in normal lit offices and homes.

They come into their own when watching films, when the lights are dimmed or completely off…. Makes horror films that much better

 

[zombierunner]

They'll get us on the new magic keyboard, only 699 🤡

 

[Jim Lahey]

Typically, OLED doesn’t increase longevity. It’s an open secret that it degrades. All panels aren’t equal, of course, and uneven wear has improved over time, but I think it’s almost certainly false to claim that it has better longevity than LCD.

 

[Alpha God Vonn]

So the savings they are making having an OLED panel rather than a cutting-edge full array local dimming mini LED backlights with thousands of zone aren't being passed onto the consumer then? Sounds like Apple are using the excuse of moving to a new technology (for them) to arbitrarily hike prices even further. Samsung have been putting quality OLED displays in their tablets for years and at much lower price points.

Samsung's current massive 14.6" OLED Tab S9 Ultra is £500 cheaper than the current M2 iPad Pro for the 512gb model.

They are using a new Dual Layer OLED panels (Two vs 1) to increase the brightness & longevity of the panels.

 

[UltimateSyn]

The assertion that they would practically double iPad Pro’s prices was always fairly ridiculous

 

[Antoniosmalakia]

Of course there was no way the 1,500 starting price for an iPad Pro 11 would have been right.

I paid nearly that much for the 1TB 11-inch a few years back (2020 non M model). Have to admit, I feel like it was probably not worth that much, but I had the money and wanted it for digital art.

 

[Jim Lahey]

The assertion that they would practically double iPad Pro’s prices was always fairly ridiculous

Cook: “Challenge accepted”

 

[Populus]

still wild that they are increasing the price of a product category that is already not selling. Only Apple would do that

To be fair, Apple plans this device upgrades several years ahead. Remember that we’ve been hearing about a redesigned iPad Pro with MagSafe and a a new glass back well before the M2 iPad Pro was released. Same for the OLED screen. If Apple has been working on this new iPad Pro for, say, 2 or 3 years, they couldn’t foresee the iPad sales decline of 2023, a decline that can be explained because it’s been an exceptional year with no new iPads.

Also, we don’t know if the iPad Pro has been selling better than other categories, we only know the global iPad data, and that includes the Air, the mini and the 10th gen. But yeah, I guess the cheaper base iPads and the Air are selling better than other categories.