The iPad Pro (2024) has a shipping target of more than nine million units, according to the report. The Cupertino-based tech giant is said to be optimistic about the lofty goal despite reports predicting a market downturn. The figure far exceeds the estimates of market experts who believe that Apple will ship around 4-5 million units. The high volume of shipments also underscores Apple’s faith in the most expensive iPad Pro model in the company’s history.
The iPad Pro (2024) will account for two-thirds of all OLED tablets shipped in 2024.
The latest iPad Pro models, unveiled at Apple’s Let Loose event earlier this month, feature an Ultra Retina XDR display, also called a Tandem OLED display. This is the first time Apple has introduced OLED displays for both the 11-inch and 13-inch variants. However, the production of these displays is tricky, which has reportedly caused delays in the on-time delivery of the devices.
According to a DigiTimes Asia report, despite the delays, Apple’s suppliers — Samsung Display (SDC) and LG Display — remain committed to meeting the delivery target. Apple is also sticking to its original target despite warnings of a declining market, with several experts predicting 4-5 million iPad Pro units in 2024, the report said, citing unnamed sources.
To speed up the production process, SDC is reportedly increasing its production capacity by expanding from one to two A3 lines to produce OLED displays for the iPad Pro, the report claims.
Since Apple’s tablet uses a hybrid two-layer OLED display and the A3 line is said to have a single-layer OLED as its primary design, the publication suggested that the vendor may have to make some adjustments in the manufacturing process.
On the other hand, the LG Display is said to be ready to handle high volume. Reportedly, SDC must produce more than four million units of dual Tandem OLED displays, while LG Display must supply five million units.
Meanwhile, market research firm Omdia states in a recent report that global shipments of tablets with OLED displays will exceed 12 million units, of which 8.9 million units will come from the iPad Pro alone. This would mean that iPad Pro models will account for two-thirds of all OLED tablet shipments this year, marking a market space that has been won by Apple.
