A new industry report claims that Apple will announce two new iPad Pro models before the end of March, and suppliers are readying 8.5 million OLED panels to keep the supply lines full through the end of the year.
The 12.9-inch 2022 iPad Pro
Previous reports have claimed that production began on the new iPad Pro in February. The new report from Digitimes, though, backs up other sources saying that Apple has cut back on its orders for the device.
In January 2024, it was reported that Apple had initially ordered 10 million OLED panels for the whole of 2024, but had cut that order by up to 2 million. It was said that Samsung would retain an order for 4 million, but Apple would cut its order with LG Display from 6 million to either 4 million or 5 million.
Now Digitimes claims that the overall order from Apple is for 8.5 million OLED display panels. It says that the entire order is split between Samsung and LG Display.
LG is said to be producing the panel for the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and across the whole of 2024 will make 4.5 million screens. Samsung is working on the 11-inch iPad Pro, and is expected to produce 4 million displays in 2024.
Digitimes says that Apple is believed to be spending $2.9 billion on the OLED displays. That's based on a reported component cost of $290 for the 11-inch screen, and $390 for the 12.9-inch edition.
To service the order, Samsung has reportedly decided to build a new 8.6-generation OLED production line. LG Display is said to be adjusting its investment schedule for an 8.6-generation production facility.
Digitimes does specifically say that these OLED panels are for the iPad Pro. In October 2023, it also said that Apple would produce a 12.9-inch version of the iPad Air.
Overall, Digitimes has a good track record for information from within Apple's supply chain. It has a notably less accurate one extrapolating what Apple will do, however.