The iPad Pro has been a top-of-the-line tablet for years. Apple regularly releases new hardware updates, sometimes with major, sometimes minor innovations. Now there are indications of a technical change that could significantly impact the design of the iPad Pro—and thus your user experience. It's a new display technology that could provide thinner bezels and more screen space.
Apple apparently plans to use chip-on-film (CoF) technology for the next generation of iPad Pro. This involves applying the display driver chips directly to flexible films. The goal is a more compact housing with the narrowest possible bezel without compromising the display size. Combined with an OLED panel, this could result in a modern and sleek design – a typical move by Apple when it comes to fine-tuning hardware.
Chip-on film: What's behind it
CoF technology originates from display manufacturing. Driver chips are mounted on flexible films using heat compression. These chips send electrical signals to the individual pixels via thin-film transistors, thus controlling the image output. What's special about this method is that it allows for a more compact design along the edges of the display. For the iPad Pro, this would mean that the visible bezels (the frame surrounding the display) could be narrower—the display takes up more space without requiring the casing to be larger.
New suppliers for Apple
Until now, Apple has relied exclusively on display driver ICs from Samsung System LSI for its OLED iPad Pro models. Now Apple is apparently considering an alternative: the use of a new chip from LX Semicon in combination with CoF technology from LG Innotek. According to the Korean portal The Elec, a decision on the approval of these components is expected before the end of this month. If Apple approves the new driver chip, it would have several advantages. First, the display edges would be slimmer, giving it a modern look. Second, signal processing could become more efficient – this has not been confirmed, but is conceivable. Third, Apple would broaden its supply chain, which would provide greater independence and better negotiation options for prices in the long term.
Competition for Samsung and more competition
The potential new suppliers are LG Innotek for the CoF technology and LX Semicon for the driver chip. This would reduce Apple's dependence on Samsung somewhat. At the same time, there will be more competition in the supply chain – which could ultimately have a positive impact on production costs and flexibility. It is still unclear whether all components will come from LG or whether it will be a mixed solution.
What does this mean specifically for the iPad Pro
The Elec report doesn't name a specific iPad model that will receive the new components. However, according to DigiTimes , there is a connection to the iPad Pro, so it looks like Apple will use the new chips and technologies there. Further rumors about the future of the iPad Pro are also circulating. A model with a new M5 chip is expected for the second half of 2025. Apple is also said to be working on a horizontally oriented logo, which would further emphasize use in landscape mode. Also in the rumor mill: Apple's own 5G modem and a foldable iPad Pro with a display diagonal of 18.8 inches, which could be launched by 2027.
Design meets technology: What makes the next iPad Pro special
The next iPad Pro could be not only faster, but also visibly more modern. Thanks to the planned CoF technology and OLED displays, the edges could be slimmer, the design more compact, and the user experience more pleasant – without sacrificing screen size. At the same time, Apple is using new suppliers to increase production flexibility. So if you're thinking about buying an iPad Pro, it might be worth waiting a bit longer. The upcoming models could bring some exciting innovations that will be noticeable both visually and technically. (Image: Shutterstock / Kaspars Grinvalds)
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