- Rumor has it that Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) will be launching the third-generation AirPods (AirPods 3) and an iPad with a mini-LED display in the first half of 2021. These are the details.
Rumor has it that Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) will be launching the third-generation AirPods (AirPods 3) and an iPad with a mini-LED display in the first half of 2021, according to a research note sent to investors by TFI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo via MacRumors. Kuo has been known to be a very credible source of Apple rumors in the past.
According to MacRumors, one of the partners that will build flexible soft board technology for Apple is Taiwanese manufacturer Career Technology. The LCP (liquid crystal polymer) soft boards are expected to offer a flexible way to connect components together while also offering high-speed and low-latency data transfer. Career Technology is reportedly building out the acoustic and optical components in soft boards for a mini-LED iPad — which is likely going to be mass-produced in the first half of 2021.
The upcoming iPad is not the only mini-LED based product that Apple reportedly has up its sleeve for 2021. It is also rumored that Apple will introduce other mini-LED based products such as 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.
What is mini-LED? mini-LED displays use about 1,000 to 10,000 individual LEDs, which offers better contrast than traditional LEDs. By having a lot more LEDs in the screen, the displays can offer deeper blacks and even brighter brights. And by switching to mini-LED, Apple will be able to design thinner and lighter products.
The AirPods 3 are also expected to go into production in the first half of 2021. It is believed that the AirPods 3 will be very similar to the AirPods Pro. However, it is expected to be more affordable as it would lack high-end features such as Active Noise Cancellation. The AirPods 3 will likely have a better battery life and an improved wireless chip.
