Apple has reportedly postponed the launch of its 5G compatible iPad Pro with 12.9-inch mini-LED display till next year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the latest report from China’s Economic Daily News, the tablet was expected to launch in the second half of 2020 alongside the next-gen iPhone lineup, which is also expected to bring 5G connectivity with Apple’s in-house developed antennas.
The 5G iPad would also use Qualcomm basebands. While, mini-LED displays are expected to offer better brightness and contrast than the typical LCD panels.
Last month, leaker Jon Prosser said a new 5G-enabled iPad Pro with an A14X chip and no other hardware changes would be introduced in late 2020.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also said Apple was developing up to six Mini-LED products, including a 12.9-inch iPad Pro with an A14X chip for release in the third quarter of 2020.
The iPhone maker also refreshed 2020 iPad Pro with features like the LiDAR scanner and ultra-wide camera.
Apple plans to ramp up iPhone production
Apple is reportedly planning to ramp up iPhone production by at least 4 per cent – translating into 213 million iPhones in the 12 months ending March 2021.
Sources told Nikkei Asian Review on Tuesday that Apple has notified several of its suppliers that it plans to boost iPhone production, “despite some suppliers’ belief that orders could end up being significantly lower”.
Production will be split between the newly announced SE and the fall’s 5G lineup.
An unnamed components executive was quoted as saying that Apple’s production goal is “pretty bullish,” and actual production could come in 10-20 per cent lower.
Apple is expected to produce 200 million iPhones this year, about 10 per cent lower than the estimate before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Apple recently announced an entry-level smartphone called the new iPhone SE starting at Rs 42,900.
Most of Apple’s retail stores outside of China remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic but “the idea behind the production boost seemed to be to ensure that Apple had enough inventory for the holiday shopping season”.
Apple shares were down 1.5 per cent to $272.57 on Tuesday morning.