New iPad Pro 2021 (mini-LED): Supplies set to be limited upon release

There are a number of high profile Apple products we’re expecting in April 2021, with an upgraded iPad Pro very high up on that list. Here’s everything we know about the iPad Pro 2021, including possible launch date, specs and features. 

Apple’s previous two events at the end of 2020 were headlined by the iPhone 12, iPad Air 4 and Apple Watch Series 6 with no iPad Pro anywhere to be seen.

While the current iPad Pro is already a feature-rich device, big upgrades to a variant of the new 5nm A14 and exciting new display tech are expected to send the Pro from strength to strength.

The news around the next iPad Pro still remain just rumours and we can’t be certain when we’ll see this become official. However, the speculation has come with plenty of tidbits regarding price, release date, display, specs and more.

Here’s everything you need to know about what could possibly be the best tablet of the year.

iPad Pro 2021 availability – Supplies set to be limited

• It could be tough to get the 12.9-inch at launch

When Apple does announce the next-gen iPad Pro supplies of the 12.9-inch version of the device could be limited due to ongoing issues with the manufacturing of the mini-LED panels.

The new screen tech (which you can read a lot more about below) is said to be a highlight addition to the top-spec iPad Pro 2021 and this news of limited supplies with surely come as a blow to anyone hoping to bag the tablet on day one.

Supply issues have been a running theme with numerous tech products over the past few months. It remains virtually impossible to easily grab a PS5 or Xbox Series X and Google has already confirmed that its upcoming Pixel 5a will be limited to release in Japan and the USA. Previous rumours had suggested the phone had been cancelled completely due to supply issues.

iPad Pro 2021 release date – Tipped for an April launch

• Latest rumours suggest an April launch ‘at the earliest’
• Previous suggestions hinted at a March event 

The latest iPad Pro 2021 release date news comes from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who has a good track record when it comes to Apple leaks. Gurman reports that the new iPad Pro (both an 11 and 12.9-inch version) would be announced ‘as early as April’. Considering it’s April now, we could see a launch any day now.

This follows on with another rumour that suggests that the iPad Pro 2021 will not go into production until Q2 (after April 1) at the earliest.

The previous iPad Pro was announced in March 2020 through a press release, so there’s the chance this could be the route Apple takes. However, as this feels like a hefty upgrade Apple might want to save it for a big event. We could also see the iPad Mini 6 arrive around the same time.

There’s always the chance we don’t see a new iPad Pro this year. Unlike iPhones, Apple has a more flexible release schedule with its tablets.

If you can’t wait for these new iPad Pros, you can get the current models now. See below for up-to-date pricing.

Performance – Expect the iPad Pro 2021 to be powered by some form of the A14 Bionic chipset

• Should come with some form of the A14 Bionic chipset
• Possible Thunderbolt connectivity

Leaks from mid-2020 seemed to suggest the next iPad Pro would come with a slightly-souped up version of the A14 chipset, likely the A14X.

The latest Bloomberg report also states the iPad Pro 2021 will come with an A14 chipset that is on par with the M1 chips powering the latest MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.

The same report also suggests the new Pros could boast a Thunderbolt capable USB-C port, again similar to the above Macs.

We have also seen reports of data inside the iOS 14.5 beta backing up the above, with the software mentioning a GPU that is not currently used in any Apple device. According to 9to5Mac,  the A14X is based upon the chip found in the M1 Macs.

Screen – A mini-LED display could be the big upgrade for the next iPad Pro

• New screen tech could be big upgrade
• Updated display could be restricted to the larger model

The most significant change for the iPad Pro 2021 looks to be a switch to mini-LED display; an alternative to OLED that offers improved contrast, darker blacks and more efficient lighting. 

Reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has followed up on his previous iPad Pro reporting with the news that mini-LED will debut on the next model.

9to5Mac previously reported Apple would prefer to use mini-LED over OLED because of the similar wide gamut of colour, but the lesser risk of image burn. However, we now know Apple isn’t all that afraid to use OLED, with its inclusion for the entire iPhone 12 lineup.

The next iPad Pro model is heavily tipped to come with such a screen, and if it manages to hold onto features like the ProMotion 120Hz tech and add a higher quality panel then it would instantly make the upgrade worth it for many.

More rumours suggesting a switch to mini-LED have come from a DigiTimes report, which states that Ennostar will begin production of these panels in either the first or second quarters of 2021. It goes on to say these will be for a 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which seems to suggest you’ll have to bag the biggest iPad Pro to benefit from this display tech.

This is set to be Apple’s first tablet with 5G, following on from iPhone 12

• The first iPad with 5G?

Apple introduced 5G for the first time on its iPhone 12 range and all signs point to it being an option for the iPad Pro 2021.

Apple has always offered a ‘cellular’ version of its iPad Pro so don’t expect all models to have this, with it coming at a premium.

One report has stated that, like the iPhone 12 range, the 5G support on the iPad Pro will be compatible with both the sub-6Hz and mmWave varieties of 5G.

The report from DigiTimes (via MacRumors) says: “The self-sufficiency in design and development of AiP modules also means that Apple’s next-generation high-end ‌iPad‌ products to be released in 2021 may also come with mmWave technology, said the sources.”

However, this news won’t mean much for Brits who will rely solely on the sub-6GHz bands for 5G connectivity for the foreseeable future.

Design – Recent renders hint at a familiar design

• Renders show a similar design

It doesn’t look like Apple will be heavily altering the look of the iPad Pro this time around, at least not if the selection of leaks we’ve seen so far anything to go by.

The latest look at the iPad Pro 2021 comes from a few dummy devices, which are often used my case makers to prepare products ahead of an official unveiling.

From the above images you can see embedded above, both sizes of the iPad Pro 2021 will look virtually the same as the current model. The only differences we can spot is an extra camera in the squared-off housing and different colours for the Smart Connector.

Considering this is one of Apple’s best designs from the past decade this is hardly an issue that we won’t be seeing radical upgrades visually this time around.

Credit: MySmartPrice

These renders of the 11-inch model show a device with the same thickness as the current model, but a bit shorter. There could also be changes to the speaker design and a slightly thinner camera module.