Skip to main content

Apple’s 14-inch iPad might not have two critical features

Rumor has it that a 14-inch iPad is in the works at Apple. However, while it was once thought to be an oversized iPad Pro, new information suggests that it’ll be much more similar to Apple’s baseline iPad. Industry analyst Ross Young was in line with plenty of other sources when he claimed last week that the 14-inch iPad Pro would be coming in 2023, but now he’s telling his Super Followers on Twitter (via 9to5Mac) that the device will be launching without a mini-LED display and ProMotion.

The lack of mini-LED in the rumored oversized iPad is a major hit for anyone who was hoping for top-tier display quality on the 14-inch iPad. Because the display size is so big, it seems like a 14-inch screen is a perfect candidate to receive the mini-LED treatment. But if Young is correct, that might not be what Apple has in mind for it. According to Young, the iPad will instead have “regular LED edge lightning.”

Reading a comic on an iPad Pro.
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

If this 14-inch iPad also won’t support ProMotion, it seems like a done deal that it won’t be a Pro model iPad. ProMotion is the variable refresh rate display option that has been featured in iPad Pro devices since 2017. ProMotion’s absence in the 14-inch iPad would give it a 60Hz refresh rate rather than a 120Hz one — taking away the smooth and responsive user experience that fans have come to expect from the high-end iPads.

Recommended Videos

Even if Young’s report is true (and based on his track record, we’re inclined to believe that it is), a 14-inch display for an iPad is still impressive. It might not be as powerful or high-end as an iPad Pro in terms of what’s going on behind its giant display, but the increased screen size will be able to make use of the new features coming to iPadOS 16 in a way that smaller screens might not.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

This isn’t the death of any and all iPad Pro innovation. There are plenty of reports saying that Apple is still gearing up to launch new iPad Pro tablets later in 2022. They just might not have the 14-inch display that many were hoping for. Because none of this is officially confirmed, there’s still a chance that Apple could reveal a 14-inch iPad Pro, but I wouldn’t suggest holding your breath for it.

Peter Hunt Szpytek
Former Digital Trends Contributor
A podcast host and journalist, Peter covers mobile news with Digital Trends and gaming news, reviews, and guides for sites…
Apple seeds critical update to guard iPhones from USB hacking tools
Installing iOS 18.3 update on an iPhone 16 Pro.

Apple has released a fresh software update for iPhones and iPads to plug a critical flaw that could allow bad actors to extract data even from a locked device. The company says if granted physical access, an attacker could break past the safety of USB Restricted Mode on the target iPhone or iPad.

The aforementioned guardrail prevents USB accessories from pulling data from an iPhone that has been sitting in a locked state for over an hour. It seems there was an authorization flaw within Apple’s Accessibility framework that could allow an attacker to disable the USB Restricted Mode safety net.

Read more
New iPad Air incoming? There’s a low stock warning
A person holding the Apple iPad Air (2024), showing the screen.

Less than a year has passed since the release of the current iPad Air. However, a new one could launch very soon. As Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman notes, the inventory for the popular tablet is dwindling, suggesting that a new model is set to launch.

The 2024 iPad Air was launched in May 2024, introducing a new 13-inch model alongside the traditional 11-inch model. Both versions feature Liquid Retina displays that offer vibrant colors and sharp details and are powered by the M2 chip, which provides improved performance compared to the previous generation. Beyond this, there were a few changes made between this and the previous model, which arrived in 2022.

Read more
This music app is doing something different in the Apple App Store
The Practice Pro app.

The iOS App Store is awash with apps using subscriptions and in-app payments, but our attention has been drawn to a brand new release that goes back to the old way of doing things — charging a one-off payment. It’s such a rare approach, the company has even drawn attention to it in the app’s top features list.

The app is Practice Pro, a release from developers Dynamic App Design, and it is made to help musicians practice and improve with use. The studio claims it’s suitable for professional and amateur musicians due to its clever modular design. Using different widgets, the app can be set up to only include the practice tools relevant to you, a better option than either using multiple apps, or having a cluttered, unfocused menu.

Read more