Word on the street is that Apple's gearing up to launch fresh iPad Pro models later this year, and they're going to be packing some serious heat with the new M5 chip. To get ready for this, both Samsung Display and LG Display have reportedly kicked off mass production of the OLED panels that these iPads will boast.

Interestingly, there's a bit of a shakeup in the supply chain this time around. If you recall, for the previous iPad Pro models, Samsung was the go-to for the 11-inch panels, while LG handled the larger 13-inch ones. This year, however, both companies will be sharing the workload for both sizes. It sounds like Apple wants to spread the love and diversify its suppliers.

This shift might also be part of a bigger plan. There are whispers that Apple is aiming to expand OLED displays to other iPad models, with the iPad mini potentially getting the OLED treatment in 2026 and the iPad Air in 2027. It seems like Apple is really betting big on OLED technology.

Last year's iPad Pro models brought some cool updates to the table, like a slimmer and lighter design, as well as support for the new Apple Pencil Pro. This year, we might be looking at a more modest update, with the main highlight being the M5 chip. This chip will be built using TSMC's advanced 3-nanometer process, which should translate to some serious performance and efficiency gains. Think of it like upgrading from a regular engine to a high-performance one in your car.

There's also a little birdie telling us that the Apple logo on the back might be switching to a landscape orientation. This would make the logo appear upright when the iPad is in landscape mode, which is how most people use it with a keyboard. It's a small change, but it could make a big difference in terms of aesthetics.

According to rumors, we could see the new iPad Pro models hitting the shelves around October this year. For comparison, the M4 iPad Pro models launched back in May of 2024. So, if you're in the market for a new iPad Pro, you might want to hold off for a few months!