Apple's iPad Air series is long overdue for an upgrade. The last model in Cupertino's ultra-portable tablet series was released in 2022, essentially pre-glacial in terms of technological updates. Ahead of Apple's iPad-focused "Let Loose" event, multiple rumors about a new iPad Air with Mini-LED screen have been floating around, but there may be some bad news as well.

Display supply chain expert Ross Young (thanks to AppleInsider) claims that supply chain issues could even delay it to late 2024.

The iPad Pro uses Mini-LEDs starting in 2021, and while Apple technically still classifies this as a "Liquid Retina Display," this panel technology is actually a huge leap forward in quality over the current iPad Air's IPS screen.

Why is Mini-LED better than IPS? It all comes down to the dimming zones. This display technology has far more dimming zones, and while you can't turn off pixels like the best OLED TVs, the more dimming zones, the stronger the black level.

That's why it's disappointing to see Young, who has been commendably spot-on when it comes to Apple rumors, do a 180-degree attitude that we won't see this powerful screen upgrade anytime soon.

That's not all bad news if you're clamoring for an upgraded Air, though. As Young believes that a new model with a mini LED display may appear in the fourth quarter of this year - a release we hope can line up with the expected arrival of the iPhone 16 at the latest.

While the price and exact dimensions of the new iPad Air series have yet to be confirmed, 11-inch and 12.9-inch versions of this ultra-thin tablet have been heavily rumored for several months. In the latter case, the new Air would be larger than ever, shaking up the current maximum screen size of the iPad Pro M2.

With only a couple of weeks left until "Let Loose," at least we won't have to wait too long to learn about the upcoming iPad Air lineup.

Previous rumors have suggested that four new iPad Air and iPad Pro models, 11-inch and 12.9-inch, will be announced at the event. However, if the iPad Air model is relegated to the fall, the iPad mini 7 and 11th generation iPad may instead be introduced along with the Pro model.

P.S. Someone should tell the case makers...