New 14-Inch, 16-Inch MacBook Pro Models To Arrive Later This Year With Second-Generation mini-LED Technology, No Word On M3 Upgrades

wccftech.com:

Apple has been reported to announce the new M3 chip later this year, and according to updated information, it is also planning to refresh the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with improved mini-LED panels this year. Sadly, it is unconfirmed if the newer versions will be treated to the silicon or if those premium notebooks will only receive a display upgrade.

The new MacBook Pro models are said to feature mini-LEDs that are 10 percent brighter than the previous models, with Apple able to achieve this change without changing the number of mini-LED chips in the backlighting module. The paywalled report from DigiTimes that MacRumors spotted also mentions that the second-generation mini-LED is not intended to improve image quality but will be incorporated for power efficiency purposes.

The current-generation 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models already sport one of the best battery life metrics for a portable machine, so updated mini-LED backlighting modules should help their endurance slightly. The report mentions that the newer models will ship in the fourth quarter of 2023, but pricing and other hardware details are unknown.

Since the report does not mention Apple gravitating to the M3 for these updated MacBook Pro models, it is safe to assume that these will continue to be kitted out with either an M2 Pro or M2 Max, which will be disappointing if it ends up true. Earlier, Apple was said to begin trade-ins of current Macs, which means we will either be greeted with a new model or a refreshed MacBook Pro family.

For those wanting to see the M3 Pro or M3 Max featured in the latest machines, you will have to wait until next year, as an earlier report stated the new SoCs will launch in the middle of 2024. For the time