Nameless sources report a number of iPads are on the way in which, although not a lot is understood past what was already rumored besides a brand new point out of 4 iPad Air fashions.
It appears 2023 will be the first yr we have ever seen with out an iPad replace. The pill lineup reached equilibrium in edge-to-edge design and USB-C in fall 2022, however nothing has been launched since.
Based on a supply chatting with 9to5Mac there’s nonetheless some probability of an iPad launch within the coming months. The supply corroborates a number of rumors like a spec bumped iPad mini 7 and 10.9-inch iPad arriving at any level in late 2023 to early 2024.
Nonetheless, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has stated to not count on any new iPads in 2023. Whereas he isn’t 100% correct, his view of the provision chain gives dependable perception into launch home windows, and he hasn’t modified his stance on this but.
4 iPad Airs
The important thing portion of this iPad-focused rumor tale is the part on the iPad Air. The nameless supply states that Apple is engaged on two distinct iPad Air fashions, two every with Wi-Fi and mobile choices.
The usual iPad Air 6 is what we might count on — an an identical design with a chip bump. This mannequin is codenamed J507 and J508 for the Wi-Fi and mobile variations.
Two further fashions are being labored on with the code names J537 and J538. Nothing is understood about these fashions, and the supply would not appear to supply any element. The report on Thursday assumes that they’re primarily based on the iPad Air.
The report means that two iPad Air collection may point out a big and small mannequin, much like how iPad Professional operates as we speak. Additionally they recommend the extra mannequin may by no means see the sunshine of day and solely exists in testing.
Deciphering rumored iPad Air clues
We have talked about Apple and its pricing constructions earlier than.
In short, the corporate typically affords a collection of merchandise with overlapping options at close-knit worth ranges. This offers prospects extra selection and tends to push prospects to the following rung of the value ladder if there is a characteristic they’re aiming for.
The iPad lineup already has a powerful pricing ladder, nonetheless, there may be an considerable hole. The ten.9-inch iPad, 11-inch iPad Air, and 11-inch iPad Professional run the gamut from $449 to $799, nonetheless, there’s just one choice for the 12.9-inch iPad beginning at $1,099.
Some rumors recommend the M3 iPad Professional may provide a brand new, bigger show dimension between 13 inches and 14 inches, leaving the 12.9-inch dimension behind. Nonetheless, that might not be the top of the 12.9-inch dimension class, if the 2 iPad Air fashions in improvement rumor is correct.
ProMotion and Thunderbolt might not be essential for all customers, like artists who could also be looking for a bigger drawing pill. That is why a bigger iPad Air mannequin is viable, nevertheless it’s not essentially assured.
There’s purpose to be skeptical about this rumor, given the overlap between iPad fashions postulated in a lineup already over-stuffed at worth factors and sizes. There is not any method for us to substantiate the provenance of the rumor, and the supply may very well be the identical one which shared the very inaccurate M3 MacBook Air launch schedule with it stated to reach six months in the past in April 2023 — so take all of this with some salt.