Apple to Accelerate Adoption of Mini-LED for iPad and MacBook [Report]

Apple is planning to accelerate its adoption of mini-LED displays for iPad and MacBook, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In a research note, Kuo says that Epistar was expected to be the exclusive supplier of mini-LED chips to Apple in 2021; however, development of the technology by Sanan Optoelectronics has progressed better than expected and it will also begin supplying Apple next year.

Competition will purportedly drive down Apple's cost for mini-LED display dies from $75-$85 to about $45. Kuo expects 30-40% of iPad shipments and 20-30% of MacBook shipments in 2021 to use mini-LED displays. That's up from 10-20%.


Although Epistar has met Apple's mass production requirements, we believe that Apple continues to look for new suppliers in order to reduce supply risks and costs. Among the second supplier candidates, Sanan Optoelectronics' development schedule and cost are superior to competitors (including Osram and Seoul Semiconductor). We predict that Sanan Optoelectronics will have 20–30% and 45–55% of Apple’s mini LED market share in 2021 and 2022, respectively (vs. our previous estimates of 0% and 10–20%), plus non-Apple. The demand for mini LEDs in China has grown, so we believe that Sanan Optoelectronics will significantly benefit from the mini LED business in the next 3-5 years.

Benefits of Mini-LED include thinner and lighter product design, good wide color gamut performance, high contrast and HDR, as well as the ability to dim specific screen areas. Kuo reports that six devices could get updated with mini-LED by the end of 2021.

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[via MacRumors]