It’s no secret that Apple is planning to introduce mini-LED displays on its iPad Pro. Rumors about Apple devices with mini-LED displays have been around for quite some time. It was previously rumored that we could get a new iPad Pro with a mini-LED display in the first quarter of 2021. Now, a report claims that Apple’s supplier will start manufacturing mini-LED panels for iPad in March.
The latest development comes fromDigiTimes, which reported that Ennostar will start mass-producing mini-LED panels for the iPad Pro at the end of this quarter, that is, March. This lines up with the rumored launch of iPad Pros – both 11-inch and 12.9-inch. It is tipped that Apple will unveil mini-LED clad MacBooks after the launch of iPad Pro with the same display technology. Mini-LED would give us an iPad Pro with a brighter display, improved contrast ratio, and increased power efficiency.
As per previous reports, it is tipped that LG would supply the display. We have seen reports claiming that Apple has been preparing its supply chain for the future mini-LED devices since July 2020. Apple could give us a new iPad Pro featuring a new A14X chip, 5G connectivity, and a mini-LED display in the first half of 2021. Ming-Chi Kuo has also given us insight into the matter, as he believes that the first model to include this new technology will be the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Apple may also be working to include mini-LED displays in future MacBook models.
Previous reports have also claimed that new iPad Pros could be coming in the first half of 2021. Another report claims that after the release of the first iPad Pro model with Mini-LED backlighting in the first half of 2021, the Cupertino company is planning to release new iPad Pro models featuring OLED displays in the second half of the year.
The next iPad Pro is tipped to feature a mini-LED display. The device has been in the rumor mill for a while now, with different reports about when they might launch. Now, a report claims that Apple will be shifting to mini-LED display for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which is also slated to be launched in the first quarter of 2021.
According to a report from DigiTimes,Apple has diversified its supply chain for displays and touch panels. BOE has finally received approval to supply OLED panels for the iPhone. Plus, GIS will be providing touch panels for both the iPhone and the upcoming iPad Pro.
As per the report, GIS has approved investments of NT$2.198 billion (US$76.3 million) and NT$1.421 billion proposed by its subsidiary in Chengdu, China in August and November 2020 respectively. These funds will be used to expand production for integrated touch modules used in tablets. The subsidiary will invest another NT$753 million to improve production line automation. As per the sources, it currently produces integrated touch modules for iPads and MacBooks. The report goes on to say:
Besides iPhones, GIS will produce integrated touch modules for miniLED-backlit panels of 12.9-inch iPad Pro to be launched in first-quarter 2021, the sources noted.
Ming-Chi Kuo has also mentioned that these new mini-LED iPad Pros would begin production in the fourth quarter of 2020. As per previous reports, the new iPad Pro was tipped to launch in the first half of next year. Now, it is rumored to be announced earlier, in the first half of 2021. Moreover, the device is said to include 5G mmWave support.
The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, Google Pixel 4 and more devices are on sale today
The official news today begin with deals, and what do you call a phone that hasn’t launched yet and is already getting discounts? Uhh, Samsung does not like to waste time. The Galaxy S20 FE which was just announced yesterday.. It’s not even in stores yet, is already on sale at both Amazon and B&H. You can get the entry level variant in all 6 color options for $100 off, leaving it at $600 shipped. Moving on to Pixel territory, the 4 and the 4 XL are still on sale. The entry level variant of the 4 is currently $269 off, leaving it at $530 shipped. The 4 XL is $350 off, leaving that at $649 shipped. We also have more deals on Garmin Watches and more in the links in the description.
Amazon launches its game streaming service called Luna, and here’s everything we know
And just like yesterday, let’s keep talking Amazon but don’t worry, no Apple deals. It seems like Cloud-based game streaming services are the new thing,.. Even if no one has gotten it right, but hey Amazon has just announced their own service “Luna”, to compete with Microsoft in Google. To play games on this new platform all you need is a stable connection, a compatible controller or mouse and keyboard and a supported platform. Luna runs on PC, MacOS, Fire TV devices like the Fire Stick, and finally, Chrome and Safari. It’s currently on an early access period but, you can already purchase the controller for $49.99 right now and honestly, it doesn’t look too bad. The early access for Luna+ is currently $5.99 and it has games like Resident Evil 7, GRID and other titles. We’ll keep you posted as it evolves, we hope it does better than what Google and Microsoft have been doing because this type of services aren’t really taking off.
Next MWC Barcelona would now take place in June
Now let’s talk about tradeshows and that illogical plan to make them virtual.. You and I know that doesn’t work. If you remember MWC was cancelled this year and how things are going, we didn’t really think we were getting one next year either but apparently that won’t be the case. GSM Association just announced that next year’s MWC will happen between June 28th and July 1st, 2021. If you’re thinking, how are companies going go on with their launch schedule, MWC Shanghai will be happening in the usual dates of February 23-25. Obviously, the Shanghai event will be focused on the Asian Pacific markets with brands that don’t usually go to the Barcelona Event, but we do hope to see something considering how 2020 went. Finally, the company announced that MWC Los Angeles 2021 will still happened in October, as scheduled. We’ll keep you posted if big names will move their events to Shanghai or, if we’ll have to wait until June… Summer in Barcelona doesn’t sound like a bad idea.
New Samsung Galaxy S21 to arrive with an Exynos 2100 processor
Speaking of things we usually get in February, let’s talk Galaxy S Line. Lately there’s been some reports that claim that the Exynos 1000 will be faster than the Snapdragon 875 and that it will power the S21 but, we know you guys aren’t fans of Exynos so we haven’t covered them on the show. However, the S21+ just went through Geekbench and it shows some changes that aren’t good. In these benchmarks, the S21+ is rocking an Exynos 2100 chip, which is actuakky worse than the Exynos 1000 and than the Snapdragon 875. Heck, it’s only slightly even better than the current S20+. But enough with the benchmark scores talk, some of the specs revealed were 8GB of RAM, a 4800 mAh battery and it was running Android 11. Of course, we’re still early and this doesn’t mean for sure that we’re getting that processor on the S21 but if that’s the case, Samsung better price it low. Is it just me or are plastic backs and a meager Galaxy Note 20 indications that Samsung is pulling an HTC now?
The new iPad Pro could be the first Apple device with mini-LED display
Now let’s talk about Apple as we’ve been hearing about mini-LED Apple products for a long time now. For those of you who don’t know, mini-LED displays offer a better color gamut performance, higher contrast, dynamic range and local dimming for darker blacks, amongst other features. Now, we have a new report from Ming Chi Kuo that says that Apple has been working on mini-LED displays for quite a while now, and we may be soon getting six new products that feature this technology. Kuo claims that these will be iPads and Macs and, he also included that the first device to bring it will be the 12.9in iPad Pro. The report mentions that Apple will be accelerating their adoption of mini-LED panels as they’re performing better than expected in their testing. These displays would be manufactured by a new manufacturer called Sanan Opto-electronics but, Epistar will remain their main supplier for these displays. This iPad Pro should arrive with 5G connectivity and we should see it some time in Q1 of 2021.
Story of the day:
Pixel 4a 5G leak reveals it’s a slightly toned-down Pixel 5 with a cheaper build
Google Pixel 5 leak reveals the upcoming phone in all its green glory
And finally for the hottest news today, let’s do a second round on the Google Pixel 4a 5G and the Pixel 5. Yesterday we covered a very extensive leak of the Google Pixel 5 and, we’ll actually talk more about it in a quick second. Let’s begin with the Pixel 4a 5G which got the same treatment. According to this leak, it will bring a 6.2in OLED display running at 60Hz. It will also be powered by the Snapdragon 765G, but it will bring 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage and a 3800 mAh. It will bring the same camera array as the Pixel 5 with a 12.2MP main sensor with OIS, a 16MP ultra wide and it will be capable of recording 4K video at 60fps. It’ll obviously run on Android 11 and it will bring a headphone jack, yay. Google already confirmed the price tag for this phone to be $499 in the US. This is all fine and dandy, but let’s get back to the Pixel 5. We have some new high quality pictures from Evan Blass, showing off the final design for this phone in both color variants. Again, this design is based on the 4a, meaning it brings a punch hole display but with slimmer bezels, the fingerprint sensor, dual tone power button and probably the only difference is the dual camera module which looks like the one on the Pixel 4. Specs are pretty similar to the 4a 5G but with some extra RAM. On these renders we can see the green variant in high quality for the first time and it will apparently bring a more premium metallic build, instead of the polycarbonate we’re getting on the 4a 5G.
