The upcoming iPad Air 2024 will be missing one key feature

If you’ve been holding out for a refreshed 12.9in iPad Air with the rumoured Mini-LED screen, you’ll probably be disappointed during Apple’s iPad launch event on 7 May. According to Display Supply Chain Consultant CEO and analyst Ross Young (via MacRumours), the Mini-LED screen has reportedly been axed due to high costs, which means that both upcoming 10.9in and 12.9in iPad Air models will retain their LCD screens.

• Read more: Here’s when Apple is holding its next launch event

Those of you with a penchant for display tech and a hankering for a new iPad Air will no doubt lament the news, given the superior brightness, deeper blacks, and lower power consumption that Mini-LED screens offer over older LCD tech. While previous rumours of the larger 12.9in iPad Air refresh did appear to be based in truth (with multiple supply chain sources confirming the upgrade), this latest update strongly suggests that there’ll be no Mini-LED-toting iPad Air in the next generation update.

There may be a sliver of good news though. Young also added that there might be a new iPad model with a 12.9in Mini LED display landing in the fourth quarter of this year (October-December). It’s currently unclear what exactly this purported model will end up being if it comes to fruition, but a good guess would be something along the lines of a high-end iPad Air, or a low-end iPad Pro. Who knows. And if you’re holding out for an OLED model, then rumours are still pointing to an OLED version of the iPad Pro in the very near future.

One thing’s for sure — we’ll have proper confirmation of most of the above and more during Apple’s 7 May launch event. Stay tuned for full coverage on the day, for all the facts directly from Tim Cook and co.

• Read more: Apple iPad rumors: iPad Air set to go bigger, Pro to get OLED very soon