Now the iPhones are out, attention is turning to what else might launch from Apple this year, if anything. Most likely, Apple has an iPad or two up its sleeve, and will reveal them later this month. Here’s what we know so far.
While there has been plenty of downplaying the iPad, with pundits like Mark Gurman saying there may be no release at all in 2023, which I always found a little unlikely. For years now, Apple has unveiled at least two new iPads each fall, in readiness for the holidays.
Now, though, a report has reached the ears of 9to5Mac from its sources which suggests there could be several tablets ready to drop.
iPad mini
First, there’s the prospect of a new iPad mini, which would be the seventh-generation model. The report claims the design would be the same as the current sixth-gen iPad mini. No kidding! First of all, that design only arrived for the mini on the last version and Apple keeps its designs for more than one generation. Second, if there’s a whole new design coming, you can bet it’ll be on the iPad Pro first and other iPads after.
My Take
While it’s possible there’s another mini, it seems a bit soon. Popular though the iPad mini is, it’s only two years since the most recent version and the mini tends to be refreshed less often than that.
iPad 11th Generation
Currently, the regular iPad exists in two versions, the ninth- and tenth-generation models. The tenth-gen was announced this time last year and since this tablet regularly has annual updates, a new one seems likely. The ninth-gen model is the only one with Touch ID on the front face, and the only Lightning iPad. A new iPad would keep the design of the tenth-gen model, it’s suggested, but have a faster processor.
My Take
It’s quite an exciting year for the iPad. I think we may see the ninth-gen model phased out and the tenth-generation vanish with it or drop in price to become the most affordable model.
Either way, the 11th-generation iPad will likely have a faster processor as the only major difference.
iPad Air
According to 9to5Mac, there could be two iPads Air on their way. Which is the most exciting prospect of all, because it could mean that Apple will do for the iPad Air what it’s just done for the MacBook Air, that is, release it in a larger screen size.
The report comments that the second version could be a similar size to the current one but with better specs. This makes no sense to me. But an iPad Air with, say, a 12.7-inch display, well that could be brilliant.
My Take
The 15-inch MacBook Air has redefined the super-thin, super-light laptop category. A bigger iPad Air could do the same for tablets.
iPad Pro
A new Pro is predicted, but it’s not known if it’ll land this year or next.
My Take
Take it from me, it’ll be 2024.
Release Date
I think that Apple will release the new iPads later in October, perhaps in the last week of the month. I don’t think there’ll be a big event as there was for the iPhone, but I think there’ll be an announcement and a recorded keynote on around Tuesday, October 24, or Wednesday, October 25. Onsale date will likely be Friday, November 3.
And the products will be: iPad 11th generation and one, or, if we’re really lucky, two iPad Air models.
Well, there’s not long until we know for sure.
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