A recent rumor originating from China suggests that Apple's iPad Pro lineup may not receive significant updates for several years. The leaker Instant Digital indicates that the current M5 generation iPad Pro 13 and iPad Pro 11 are unlikely to see major changes in the near future. This speculation aligns with Apple's historical trend of waiting considerable time between substantial updates for its Pro tablets.
The iPad Pro underwent a significant redesign in 2018 with the introduction of the Pro 11 (2018) and Pro 12.9 (2018), with further updates occurring in 2024 for the M4 generation models.
This latest rumor cites various factors contributing to the slowdown in updates, primarily rising costs of OLED panels and limited growth in sales. The current M5 generation iPad Pros feature Ultra Retina Tandem OLEDs, incorporating two layers of organic light-emitting material, unlike standard OLED panels that utilize a single layer. This innovation allows for enhanced brightness and durability of the displays, but significantly increases production costs.
Furthermore, Apple is reportedly not pursuing the trend of ultra-thin display bezels being adopted by competitors such as Samsung and Huawei. As it stands, the next potential update for the iPad Pro series is expected either later this year or in 2027, likely featuring a chip upgrade with the arrival of the M6 generation.
Source (in Chinese)
