Apple May Extend XDR Displays From iPad Pro To 14-Inch And 16-Inch MacBook Pro

Apple is reportedly planning to extend its Extreme Dynamic Range (XDR) displays from the 12.9-inch iPad Pro to the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro.

A day after releasing the 12.9-inch iPad Pro featuring the Liquid Retina XDR displays, reports are rife that Apple is up to another mind-boggling innovation. Taiwanese research firm TrendForce reported that the tech giant will launch the upcoming MacBook Pro lineup with the mini-LED displays.

On April 21, TrendForce published a report discussing the expected rise in Apple’s mini-LED shipment. Max Chen, the research firm analyst, cited the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro as some of the contributing factors to the expected increase in the XDR display shipment.

The analyst said Apple plans to release the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro featuring mini-LED backlight technology in the second half of 2021. Chen said the upcoming lineup will be “the hardware benchmark for high-end tablets and notebook computers.”

On April 20, Apple rolled out the 12.9-inch iPad Pro featuring the Liquid Retina XDR displays. XDR is a term that the Cupertino-based giant uses to brand its own mini-LED displays, MacRumors reported.

The XDR technology provides a device with the first-ever contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1. It also allows the tablet to go to a max full-screen brightness of 1000 nits and a peak brightness of 1,600 nits -- another first in the tablet industry. It is equipped with 10,000 mini-LEDs divided into no less than 2,500 local dimming zones.

Apart from the XDR displays, Apple followers also expect the improved M1 chip and Apple’s own silicon chip to power the much-awaited 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro. The launch could also bring back the SD card slot and the HDMI port.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo previously claimed that the next MacBook Pro flagship lineup will boast physical function keys to replace the Touch Bar. The analyst also hinted at the return of the Magsafe magnetic power cable.

The MacBook Pro received its last update on Nov. 2020 with boosted performance, thanks to the M1 chips. For this year's launch, the focus would be on improving the display size and quality for the 14-inch and 16-inch releases, Apple Insider reported.