Display analyst Ross Young has walked back rumors of a 14.1-inch iPad Pro, stating that the supersized tablet would be a lower-tier iPad model without ProMotion or a mini LED display.
Initially, Young and his Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) firm said that the new tablet would be an iPad Pro model with a 14.1-inch display and an M2 chip. Upon further discussions with his supply chain sources, Young has updated that prediction.
In a tweet to Super Followers, the analyst says that the device won't have mini LED backlighting after all and will instead rely on regular LED edge lighting. Similarly, he says the device isn't likely to have ProMotion.
Despite the fact that the iPad will be missing some Pro-level features, Young still says it's coming. Citing panel and LED suppliers, the analyst says that the 14.1-inch tablet could arrive in the first quarter of 2023.
As far as why the device will lack iPad Pro features, Young explains that 14-inch panels won't be much different in pricing from 10-inch panels in 2022. That could lead to a lower possible price point — something that wouldn't be feasible with mini LED backlighting.
The timeline of the 14.1-inch iPad arriving in 2023 actually lines up with current iPad Pro predictions. According to Bloomberg, Apple is still planning on refreshing the 11-inch iPad Pro and 12.9-inch iPad Pro in the fall
