Author: Qiu Zexin | Published on: June 26, 2025, 10:29 AM | Categories: Apple, iPad, Display Panels
Apple’s M4 iPad Pro was released over a year ago and has yet to see any updates. Although Apple is currently developing the next-generation M5 chip, expected to debut later this year alongside the new MacBook Pro, many are hoping Apple will simultaneously refresh the iPad Pro’s design and performance by integrating the M5 chip.
Rumors suggest that Apple is considering adopting LG Innotek’s "Chip-on-Film" (CoF) display technology to create a new generation of iPad Pro with slimmer bezels, delivering a more futuristic look that approaches a “full-screen” design.
The CoF technology works by using heat pressing to directly connect the display driver chip and flexible film to the panel, enabling each pixel’s light emission to be controlled via thin-film transistors (TFT). This structure not only allows the panel to fit more tightly with the device’s edge but also frees up more screen space within the same device size.
Currently, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra features significantly narrower bezels than the OLED iPad Pro, raising expectations that Apple will innovate in its design. Although the current M4 iPad Pro is thinner and lighter than other iPads, it still lacks a significant visual distinction from the front. Introducing narrower bezels would help the iPad Pro regain its identity as a “professional-grade” device.
According to Korean media outlet The Elec, Apple is expected to decide this month whether to adopt display driver ICs from LX Semicon, combined with LG’s CoF technology, for future iPad models. Besides aesthetic and structural integration advantages, this technology is also seen as beneficial for improving battery life and signal processing performance. However, no further details have been disclosed yet.
Currently, Apple’s OLED iPad Pro display driver IC is exclusively sourced from Samsung System LSI. Adding LG to the supply chain would help diversify suppliers, increase flexibility, and potentially reduce component costs in the long term.
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