Apple's first Mini-LED product may not launch this year

Apple may not be able to launch its first Mini-LED product this year according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. 

In his latest investor note, Kuo revealed recent supply chain checks suggest Apple's manufacturing partners are only preparing for mass production of LED chips in Q3. Panel assembly and terminal assembly are scheduled in Q4 with the manufacturing phase likely to happen in Q1 2021. The extension of the Mini-LED schedule is due to the setbacks caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Kuo reported in March that Apple was planning to launch 6 Mini-LED products this year which include iPads, MacBook Pro and iMac Pro. In April, analyst Jeff Pu claimed the iPad Pro with Mini-LED display could be delayed until early 2021.

Nonetheless, Kuo says the coronavirus outbreak is not likely to have a major impact on Apple's overall strategy for Mini-LED products. Kuo believes Mini-LED is a key technology that Apple will promote heavily over the next five years and advises investors not to be bothered with the short-term schedule. He estimates that Apple's Mini-LED product shipments will experience a rapid year-over-year growth of 300% in 2021 and 225% in 2022. 

Source: AppleInsider