We’ll get new iPads in the coming days to follow up the new MacBook Air M3. This feature is here so you don’t lay down your cash too early, ahead of Apple’s officially confirmed 7 May iPad launch event.
For each iPad model we’ve dug into the current state of play, explored the iPad rumors emanating from the industry’s guessing trousers, and provided a handy ‘Stuff says’ buying recommendation.
What we’re expecting soon can be summed up quite nicely though – an OLED screen version of the iPad Pro, probably with M3 chips. And a larger version of the iPad Air (which will also get an internal revamp) that will clock in at 12.9in.
iPad
The state of play: In October 2022, Apple released the 10th-gen iPad. It resembled a less powerful iPad Air with a reflective screen (boo) but had Apple’s first sensible selfie camera placement (yay). The ninth iteration of the iPad lurked quietly in the line-up, with its old-school charms of a Home button, a chunky screen bezel and a headphone port.
What’s next: The next iteration of the iPad is due, especially since we didn’t get one last year. In fact, 2023 was the first year since 2017 during which the standard iPad doesn’t get an update. So surely it’s coming this year – but reportedly it won’t be early this year and it’ll be later in 2024.
When we do get an 11th-gen, expect a minor spec bump with new colours and an A15 chip. Ideally, we’d prefer 2nd-gen Apple Pencil support and finally being rid of the reflective screen too, but suspect that’s unlikely. What is unlikely is the 9th-gen sticking around as a low-cost iPad, even when the 11th-gen shows up – the 10th will move down to fill that gap.
Stuff says: The 9th-gen iPad is charitably best described as ‘classic’ and ‘familiar’. Buy if the other models are out of your budget. The 10th-gen is a bit pricey and infuriatingly uses the old Apple Pencil. But it’s powerful and worth the outlay if you want an iPad that’ll last.
iPad Mini
The state of play: The iPad Mini has long been an enigma regarding release frequency and positioning. But Apple vastly improved its tiniest iPad with September 2021’s 6th-gen, more or less transforming it into an iPad Air Mini. There’s an A15 inside that tiny frame – but scrolling can be jiggly in portrait. Tsk.
What’s next: The main rumour that’s been swirling around forever now is the 7th-gen iPad Mini getting a 120Hz ProMotion display, which will handily boot ‘jelly scrolling’ concerns into the sun. No-one’s prediction parrot has parped precisely when this’ll rock up, mind. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reckons that the iPad Mini refresh will land later on this year, following the expected release of the new iPad Pro and Air models in the second week of May.
Stuff says: Removing the most overt flaw from the iPad Mini would be good. But who knows when it’ll happen? So if you want one, buy it now. Just be aware even in the Mini’s inconsistent release schedule, the 6th-gen is definitely more mid-cycle than long in the tooth.
iPad Air
The state of play: In March 2022, the iPad Air played catch-up with the Mini (better camera; 5G) – and then blazed past by way of the surprise addition of an M1 chip. 64GB entry-level storage was the only major snag. Since then, the Air-ish 10th-gen iPad’s rocked up, though, complicating matters.
What’s next: ProMotion and M2 chips are the most obvious drip-down tech. There’s plenty of talk about a new 12.9in model. We think this could confuse the line-up further unless the iPad Pro 11in disappears. Logic dictates the sensible camera placement from the 10th-gen iPad will make an appearance too. The Thunderbolt-capable USB-C port probably won’t, because Apple still needs something to make you open your wallet and go Pro. The latest rumours also suggest that both the Air and Pro models will be available in matte and glossy screen options. Now an official Apple iPad event invite has landed in our inbox, confirming that we’ll be seeing these rumoured upgrades launch on 7 May.
Stuff says: This unit is overdue an update and this will appear very soon. Don’t buy current models unless they’re heavily discounted.
iPad Pro
The state of play: The ultimate iPad was last revamped in October 2022, gaining an M2 chip, a hover state for Apple Pencil, extra ProRes video capture grunt and super fast Wi-Fi 6E. Inexplicably, there was no change to the selfie camera placement, meaning the entry level iPad got a great feature missing from the flagship. Sigh. Still, it’s a brilliant tablet.
What’s next: An M3 chip upgrade is the bare minimum we expect to see for the iPad Pro. In fact, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, we could see the debut of Apple’s upcoming M4 processor, along with a new neural engine for more advanced AI tasks. If true, this would make the OLED iPad Pro the most powerful tablet in the world, by some margin. There are also ongoing iPad rumors about MagSafe charging (possibly through a glass Apple logo) and reverse wireless charging for other Apple devices.
This should also have an OLED display (see this report from Omedia) plus reports suggest that both the 11in and 12.9in would get the update. There are also suggestions the 12.9in could be rounded up to a laptop-rivalling 13in, too. And that the mega-expensive Magic Keyboard will get an update next time around to make it even more laptop-like. Maybe with Touch ID?
Venturing further into the weeds, there could be a unit even bigger than the 12.9 model (which begs the question: why? OK, maybe because of Samsung), and the 11in still not getting a mini-LED update. Bah. Elsewhere, we also wonder whether Apple might be looking at that spiffy Pixel Tablet dock and wishing it had thought of that first. As mentioned above, the iPad Pro is also rumoured to arrive in glossy and matte screen finishes, letting people pick and choose their preferred option. As with the iPad Air, a new Pro model is expected to land in during Apple’s official iPad launch event on 7 May.
Stuff says: The iPad Pro is a big investment and you need to wait for the newer model. Buying the Magic Keyboard as well? Are you sure you don’t want a Mac instead?
