It’s been a long time since we’ve seen innovation with the iPad. Apple didn’t release any models last year, making it the first calendar year without a new iPad announced since Apple’s tablet was first released in 2010. But everything could change next week – Apple will hold an event on his May 7th, where the new iPad is also expected to be the focus.
The latest iPad rumors suggest a new iPad Pro with an OLED display and a new 12.9-inch size iPad Air. Entry-level iPads and iPad Minis will not be updated at the May 7th event. New models in these lines likely won’t arrive until the fall.
Apple needs to do something with the iPad to keep consumers interested in its devices, which aren’t iPhones or MacBooks. The iPad has always occupied the middle ground between the company’s phones and laptops, and with the introduction of the Vision Pro, the company has entered this in-between space. CNET’s Scott Stein said the Vision Pro “feels like an iPad exploding into space.” The Vision Pro is currently too expensive to cannibalize iPad sales, but as prices come down over the next few years, it will compete with the iPad for third-screen needs and dollars.
We’ll likely get confirmation soon as to which direction Apple is taking its tablets. Here are the rumored updates for each iPad line:
Look at this: What to expect from Apple’s May 7th iPad event
OLED comes to iPad Pro
OLED is big news in Apple’s top-of-the-line iPad Pro. The new model will reportedly ditch the mini-LED screen in favor of an OLED display that offers more vibrant colors, true black levels, and better contrast. OLED panels can also support a wider range of refresh rates. The new iPhone Pro models feature always-on OLED displays that can run as slow as 1Hz to extend battery life.
The updated iPad Pro comes in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, the latter being slightly larger than the current larger Pro’s 12.9-inch size. The new Pro will be upgraded to an M3 chip from Apple’s M2 chip in the current model. Other rumored changes include USB-C and MagSafe wireless charging, as well as an updated Magic Keyboard with an aluminum cover and larger trackpad.
iPad Air expands to 12.9 inches
A larger iPad Air is expected to be added to the lineup this spring. The current 5th generation iPad Air has a 10.9-inch display and an M1 chip. The new lineup is based on the M2 chip and is available in both 10.9-inch and 12.9-inch models. With the 12.9-inch Air, a tablet buyer can get a larger screen without paying the premium for his Pro model.
The new iPad Air is not expected to move to a mini-LED or OLED display, and is expected to retain its LED-based liquid retina panel. The rear camera is According to 9to5Mac, it will be housed in a new camera bump that includes a flash, a feature not offered on the current Air. The new model is also expected to work with the current Magic Keyboard, rather than a keyboard update specific to the new Pro model.
Updates to iPad and iPad Mini later this year
Rumors are more vague about the entry-level iPad and iPad Mini. The 11th generation iPad will likely move to an A15 chip, and the 7th generation iPad Mini will move to an A16 chip, both of which may have improved processors. With the arrival of the 11th generation iPad, Apple will likely keep the 10th generation iPad as a low-cost product and phase out the 9th generation model, which is the last remaining model with a home button. . These updates are expected later this year, not this spring.
And by the end of the year, we’ll probably finally see the long-rumored foldable iPad.
