Apple fans who are eagerly waiting for new iPads may have to wait a little longer. According to a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple plans to update its entire iPad lineup in 2024, skipping the whole year of 2023. This would be the first time in iPad’s history that Apple does not release any new models for a whole year.
Gurman did not provide any specific details about the new iPads, but he said that Apple plans to update its entire lineup, which includes the iPad mini, iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Pro. All of these products were last updated in 2022, except the iPad mini, which was updated in 2021.
Some of the possible features that the new iPads could have are:
- Mini-LED displays: Apple introduced mini-LED displays on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro in 2022, which offer better contrast, brightness, and color accuracy than LCD screens. Apple could expand this technology to other iPad models, especially the iPad Air and the 11-inch iPad Pro, which currently use LCD screens.
- Face ID and Touch ID: Apple could also bring Face ID, its facial recognition system, to more iPad models, such as the iPad Air and the iPad mini. Face ID allows users to unlock their devices, make payments, and access apps with a glance. Alternatively, Apple could also integrate Touch ID, its fingerprint sensor, into the power button, as it did with the iPad Air in 2022. This would allow users to unlock their devices and make payments with their finger, without the need for a home button or a notch.
- 5G connectivity: Apple could also add 5G connectivity to more iPad models, especially the iPad and the iPad mini, which currently only support 4G LTE. 5G is the next generation of wireless technology, which offers faster speeds, lower latency, and more capacity than 4G. Apple already offers 5G on the iPad Pro and the iPhone 12 and 13 series, so it could extend this feature to other iPad models as well.
- M3 chips: Apple could also upgrade the processors on its iPad models, using its own custom-designed M3 chips. Apple launched the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chips in 2023, which power the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and iMac. These chips offer better performance, efficiency, and battery life than the Intel chips that Apple used before. Apple could also introduce a more powerful M3 Ultra chip in 2024, which could power the iPad Pro and other high-end devices.
Why is Apple skipping 2023 for new iPads
The reason why Apple is skipping 2023 for new iPads is not clear, but it could be due to several factors, such as:
- Supply chain issues: Apple, like many other tech companies, has been facing supply chain issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted the production and distribution of components and products. Apple has also warned that the chip shortage could affect its sales and profits in the coming quarters. Apple could be delaying the new iPads to ensure that it has enough supply and demand for its products.
- Market saturation: Apple could also be delaying the new iPads because of the market saturation of tablets. According to IDC, the global tablet market grew by 13.6% in 2022, reaching 164.1 million units, driven by the demand for remote work and education during the pandemic. However, IDC also expects the tablet market to decline by 3.4% in 2023, as the demand for tablets normalizes. Apple could be waiting for the right time to launch new iPads, when the market is more favorable and competitive.
- Innovation cycle: Apple could also be delaying the new iPads because of its innovation cycle, which determines how often it updates its products. Apple typically updates its products every year or every two years, depending on the product category and the market conditions. However, Apple could also change its innovation cycle, depending on the feedback from customers and the availability of new technologies. Apple could be working on some new features and technologies for the new iPads, which could take longer to develop and test.
What to do if you want a new iPad now
If you are looking for a new iPad now, you may have to settle for the existing models, which are still very capable and powerful devices. You can choose from the following options, depending on your needs and budget:
- iPad mini (2021): The iPad mini is the smallest and most portable iPad, with a 8.3-inch screen. It was updated in 2021, with a new design, a faster A15 chip, a USB-C port, a 12-megapixel rear camera, a 12-megapixel front camera with Center Stage, stereo speakers, and 5G connectivity. It also supports the second-generation Apple Pencil, which attaches magnetically to the side of the device. The iPad mini starts at $499 for the 64GB model, and goes up to $879 for the 256GB model with cellular.
- iPad (2022): The iPad is the most affordable and popular iPad, with a 10.2-inch screen. It was updated in 2022, with a faster A13 chip, a 12-megapixel front camera with Center Stage, and a True Tone display. It also supports the first-generation Apple Pencil, which connects via the Lightning port, and the Smart Keyboard, which connects via the Smart Connector. The iPad starts at $329 for the 64GB model, and goes up to $559 for the 256GB model with cellular.
- iPad Air (2022): The iPad Air is the mid-range iPad, with a 10.9-inch screen. It was updated in 2022, with a new design, a faster A14 chip, a USB-C port, a 12-megapixel rear camera, a 7-megapixel front camera, stereo speakers, and Touch ID integrated into the power button. It also supports the second-generation Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard, which connect magnetically to the device. The iPad Air starts at $599 for the 64GB model, and goes up to $879 for the 256GB model with cellular.
- iPad Pro (2022): The iPad Pro is the most advanced and powerful iPad, with a 11-inch or a 12.9-inch screen. It was updated in 2022, with a new design, a faster M1 chip, a Thunderbolt port, a 12-megapixel rear camera with LiDAR, a 12-megapixel front camera with Center Stage, a mini-LED display on the 12.9-inch model, and 5G connectivity. It also supports the second-generation Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard, which connect magnetically to the device. The iPad Pro starts at $799 for the 11-inch model with 128GB of storage, and goes up to $2,399 for the 12.9-inch model with 2TB of storage and cellular.
