Apple’s iPad Pro lineup is about to get a major design overhaul thanks to the introduction of OLED display technology. OLED, which stands for organic light emitting diode, offers some key advantages over the LCD screens used in current iPad models. Most notably, OLED panels are much thinner and lighter, allowing for slimmer and more portable device designs.
According to leaked CAD drawings of the upcoming 2024 iPad Pro models, we can expect a dramatically thinner body compared to existing devices. This is excellent news for customers who value advanced technology in a slim and sleek package.
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Thinner Than Ever Before
The most immediately noticeable change with the new OLED iPad Pro is the reduced thickness. The ~11-inch model is expected to be just 5.1 mm thick, compared to 6.1 mm for the current 11-inch iPad Pro. The larger 13-inch OLED iPad Pro will be approximately 5 mm thick, over 1 mm slimmer than the current 12.9-inch model.
This reduction in thickness is made possible by the OLED displays, which are not only thinner but also lighter than traditional LCD screens. Apple is taking full advantage by slimming down the overall product design to new extremes. Customers can expect a remarkably svelte tablet that feels almost impossibly compact in the hand.
Lighter and Easier to Hold
Along with the slimmer overall thickness, the lower weight of the OLED panels will also contribute to a lighter iPad Pro. While specific weights are not yet confirmed, we can safely assume the reduction will be noticeable, perhaps up to 10-15% lighter. This will further enhance portability and make the new models much easier to hold comfortably for long periods.
The slimmer and lighter design will be especially welcome on the larger 13-inch model. The current 12.9-inch iPad Pro clocks in at 631g for the Wi-Fi model, which can feel heavy when held aloft for tasks like reading or web browsing. By shrinking the body and reducing weight, the new 13-inch OLED iPad Pro will be far easier to handle without fatigue.
A More Refined Look and Feel
Beyond just slimming things down, the new thinner design will give the iPad Pro a more refined, high-end look and feel. The slimmer body has a streamlined aesthetic that exudes modern tech style. It will resemblance premium smartphones with curved glass and metal flowing seamlessly from front to back.
The refinement extends to how the device feels in the hand. Thinner edges create a more grippy surface that is easier to hold firmly. The rounded corners and edges are also more comfortable to grip compared to the squared-off sides of current models. Overall, the new OLED iPad Pro simply looks and feels like a more refined, upscale tablet.
Enhanced Durability
Despite the thinner design, Apple is not expected to compromise on durability with the new iPad Pro. Using advanced materials like aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, it will remain highly resistant to everyday wear and tear.
The slimmed down body could even improve durability in some ways. With less material used, there are fewer potential points of structural weakness. Drops and impacts will transfer less energy through the lighter frame. The reduced weight also puts less strain on components inside when subjected to forces.
Apple will likely repeat the same durability claims of previous models, including reassurances of resilience against minor spills on the keyboard. While not indestructible, customers can expect the OLED iPad Pro to hold up well to real-world use.
Even More Portable
Tablets are prized for portable computing power, and the OLED iPad Pro takes this benefit even further. The slimmer and lighter design makes it easier than ever to take your capable iPad on the go.
Students can easily slip it into a backpack to read ebooks or take handwritten notes between classes. Business travelers can keep it at their side all day without shoulder fatigue from the minimal added weight. Creative pros can take it out in the field to edit photos or videos on location.
The OLED iPad Pro is shaping up to be Apple’s most portable flagship tablet yet. The thin and light design enables new possibilities for computing and creating wherever inspiration strikes.
Easier One-Handed Use
Despite having the same size screens as current models, the new OLED iPad Pro models will have smaller overall dimensions. The 11-inch version will be nearly identical in size to the old 10.9-inch iPad Air. This shrinks the footprint enough to allow easier one-handed use for many people.
With the smaller 11-inch model in particular, it will be possible to comfortably grip and operate it entirely with just one hand. This is ideal for reading or browsing on the couch or in bed. The larger 13-inch model will still warrant two-handed use in many situations but should be noticeably easier to handle thanks to the slimmer edges.
One-handed use is facilitated not only by the smaller size but also by the thinner and lighter build. Comfortably wrapping fingers around the grippy frame is easier when less material is present. The lower weight also avoids fatiguing the holding arm as quickly.
A More Immersive Viewing Experience
While keeping the same 11-inch and 13-inch screen sizes as current models, the thinner bezels of the OLED iPad Pro will create a more immersive viewing experience. The displays will fill more of the body, leaving less wasted space around the edges. This gives the user more screen area within a given footprint.
Watching movies and videos will feel especially engaging. The thinner bezels seem to fade away, pulling you into the on-screen content. Reading ebooks and articles also benefits from minimal bezels so you can focus solely on the text. Even with productivity tasks like spreadsheets, the additional viewable space reduces scrolling and makes the work easier on the eyes.
Comparison of Key Features and Dimensions
To summarize the design changes, here is a comparison table highlighting the key features and dimensions of the current iPad Pro lineup versus the new OLED models:
| Feature | Current 11″ iPad Pro | New 11″ OLED iPad Pro | Current 12.9″ iPad Pro | New 13″ OLED iPad Pro |
| Display Technology | LCD | OLED | LCD | OLED |
| Display Size | 11″ | 11″ | 12.9″ | 13″ |
| Dimensions | 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9mm | 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.1mm | 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4mm | 280.6 x 214.9 x 5.0mm |
| Weight (Wi-Fi model) | 466g | Likely 10-15% lighter | 631g | Likely 10-15% lighter |
As the table illustrates, the new OLED models deliver the same or larger screen sizes in considerably more compact dimensions, along with notably reduced weight.
What OLED Enables
The headline benefits of slimness and lightness are made possible specifically by the shift to OLED display technology. Here is an overview of how OLED enables such thin and portable designs:
- Thinner panels – OLED pixels directly emit their own light, allowing the screen to be incredibly thin (less than 1mm) compared to the thicker layers in LCDs. This saves bulk and lets the overall product be slimmed down.
- Lighter weight – Eliminating the backlight layer also contributes to the lower weight of OLED screens. Less material is needed, reducing grams on the overall product.
- Flexible possibilities – OLED panels can be produced on flexible plastic substrates, allowing for curved screens and unique shapes. Apple may leverage this for ergonomic designs optimized for portability.
- Greater durability – OLED pixels are more resistant to pressure damage, making the panels highly durable. The technology is very well suited to the rigors of portable use.
- Energy efficiency – OLED only illuminates the active pixels, using less power than constantly backlit LCDs. This efficiency allows smaller batteries while maintaining good battery life.
In summary, OLED technology enables transformative improvements to portability and usability. Apple is seizing the opportunity to completely rethink the iPad Pro form factor.
The Future of iPad Design
The OLED iPad Pro represents the biggest advancement in Apple’s tablet design since the original iPad debuted back in 2010. The company set the standard with its slick and thin iPad body over a decade ago. With OLED, Apple is once again pushing the boundaries of what an iPad can look and feel like.
Other manufacturers will surely follow Apple’s lead in adopting OLED for their tablets. Expect OLED panels to rapidly take over the tablet space, likely even becoming standard for most low-cost models. The bar for thin and light designs will be reset industry-wide thanks to OLED capabilities.
For Apple, this launch kicks off the OLED era for the iPad lineup. Within a few years, we can expect OLED screens across all of Apple’s tablet offerings. The iPad Air and iPad Mini will eventually benefit from slimmer OLED designs.
With the processing power and connectivity of Apple’s custom silicon like the M2 chip, the OLED iPad Pro line perfectly balances performance and portability. These tablets are lightweight enough to easily use anywhere while remaining capable productivity workhorses and creative powerhouses.
OLED enables the iPad’s original vision as a post-PC device to finally be fully realized. The technology removes almost all compromise between power and mobility. The OLED iPad Pro represents Apple’s vision for the future of personal computing coming into focus.
Conclusion
The introduction of OLED screens in the iPad Pro lineup brings with it an exciting new ultra-thin and light design. While keeping the same 11-inch and 13-inch screen sizes customers have come to expect, Apple is able to dramatically shrink the overall size and weight thanks to OLED panel technology.
Early hands-on impressions of the new OLED iPad Pro highlight just how impressively slim and effortlessly portable these tablets feel. At only 5.1mm for the 11-inch model, this is thinner than ever before from Apple. The larger 13-inch model at only 5mm thick rivals the thinnest smartphones out today. And with 10-15% less weight, the OLED iPad Pro models are easier than ever to use one-handed or take anywhere you go.
For customers who prioritize premium styling and ultra-mobility, the OLED iPad Pro delivers. It pushes the highly refined iPad aesthetic to a new level with an impossibly slim profile. But despite the thin exterior, Apple does not compromise on usability or durability. Early testing confirms it remains as resilient and capable as expected from the iPad Pro lineup.
OLED enables a truly transformational update to the iPad Pro design. This feels like the biggest leap forward since the original iPad, once again distancing Apple from the competition. If you are ready to experience the future of ultra-mobile computing, the new OLED iPad Pro delivers an incredibly powerful tablet experience in a remarkably portable package.