Rumor has it that Apple plans to equip both the MacBook and iPad series with mini-LED screens in the future. Now there are reports that Apple wants to speed things up.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has explained in a new forecast (via MacRumors) that increased competition among Apple's mini-LED display suppliers will accelerate the adoption of the advanced technology. It was originally claimed that Epistar would be Apple's exclusive supplier for the new display technology in 2021. But Sanan Optoelectronics seems to be doing better than expected. According to the publication, the company will also be able to supply Apple in 2021. The increased supply capacity and competition between suppliers will reportedly bring Apple's mini-LED display costs down from $75 to $85 to around $45. As a result, Kuo expects mini-LED technology to be present in around 30-40% of iPad shipments and 20-30% of MacBook shipments in 2021, while previous estimates were 10-20%. The publication states:
Mini-LED display: Better brightness and contrast, deeper blacks
Although Epistar has met Apple's mass production requirements, we believe Apple continues to seek new suppliers to reduce supply risks and costs. Among the candidates for a second-party supplier, Sanan Optoelectronics' development schedule and costs are superior to competitors (including Osram and Seoul Semiconductor). We forecast that Sanan Optoelectronics will have 20-30% and 45-55% of Apple's mini-LED market share in 2021 and 2022, respectively (compared to our previous estimates of 01-10% and 201-5%, respectively), plus non-Apple. Demand for mini-LEDs in China has been increasing, so we believe Sanan Optoelectronics will benefit significantly from the mini-LED business in the next 3-5 years.
Kuo originally predicted that six new Apple products would be the first to be equipped with the new display technology. These include a 12.9-inch iPad Pro, a 27-inch iMac Pro, a 14.1-inch MacBook Pro, a 16-inch MacBook Pro, a 10.2-inch iPad and a 7.9-inch iPad mini. Mini-LED technology is said to deliver better brightness and significantly better contrast overall. Deeper blacks are also guaranteed. The burn-in problem of OLEDs is also solved. In addition, mini-LEDs are more efficient and would enable thinner and lighter product designs. (Photo by Colour59 / Bigstockphoto)