New iMac Pro coming later than expected with modified mini LED backlights, says new report

Apple's iMac Pro refresh with a mini LED display and an Apple Silicon chip is coming in the summer of 2022 instead the spring, according to a display analyst.

Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants on Monday said he no longer expects the upcoming iMac Pro refresh to launch in the spring of 2021. In a subsequent tweet, Young said that panel shipments will start in June but the Apple Silicon iMac Pro itself may not launch until August or September.

As we reported in today's DSCC Weekly, we no longer expect the Apple iMac Pro to launch in the spring. Looks more like summer. Still with a MiniLED backlight, but fewer MiniLEDs/zones than in iPad/MacBook Pro's.
— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) January 31, 2022

Young added that the device will still use a mini-LED backlighting system but may feature fewer mini LED zones than in other Apple products like the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro.

The display analyst, who has a good track record of reporting accurate information related to Apple, previously said that the mini LED-equipped iMac Pro could launch in the spring.

According to past rumors and reports, the new iMac Pro will be a replacement for Apple's 27-inch iMac and a larger, more powerful counterpart to the current 24-inch iMac with an M1 chip.

Earlier in January, a rumor from accurate leaker @dylandkt suggested that the new iMac Pro could sport a 12-core CPU configuration. That device could also pack a design similar to the current 24-inch iMac, an I/O that includes an SD card slot and HDMI port, and a starting price around $2,000.

The first iMac Pro was announced at a WWDC, and didn't ship until the end of the year. It's not clear what availability will be after announcement.

12 Comments

mainyehc 141 comments · 17 Years

About 2 years ago

Fewer zones than on the 12'' iPad Pro and the MacBook Pros, on a much bigger screen? I don't buy it. That would make up for some insane blooming.

If what he meant was fewer zones than on the Apple Pro Display, or even as many as on the current one but fewer than on a revised version thereof, that would make a little bit more sense.

patchythepirate 1254 comments · 12 Years

Ffs Apple.. then just put an M1 chip in the current 27" chassis and release that in the spring, save the M2 for the pro in the fall if you must, I'm tired of waiting for a larger M series iMac with black borders.

9secondkox2 3105 comments · 8 Years

Either go full mini LED and do it right or don't bother. We don't want light artifacts in dark areas.

iMac Pro is going to sell. There is pent up demand.

But dang. It needs to simple come out.

I imagine new SoC architecture is the reason for delay more than anything. It needs to puch hard.

Sure, there are other issues in the supply chain, but all of that is amortized across the lineup: aluminum, glass, silicon, screen materials, etc.

Performance is what will drive this.