It’s mid-November 2023, and it needs to be clear to any iPad fan on the market that Apple gained’t replace any iPads in its lineup this yr. The iPad 11, iPad mini 7, and iPad Air 6 fashions gained’t launch till someday subsequent yr. That’s additionally when Apple will replace the iPad Professional line with OLED panels and different design adjustments.
It’d all begin with the iPad Air 6 refresh, which may launch early subsequent yr. Effectively-known Apple insider Ming-Chi Kuo stated in a brand new report that Apple has a shock for consumers, prepping a 12.9-inch iPad Air mannequin. This could be the primary of its variety, and a extra inexpensive large-screen iPad than the upcoming 12.9-inch iPad Professional.
The analyst stated on Medium that the important thing iPad upgrades coming subsequent yr are the M3 processor and the OLED shows. Nevertheless, iPad shipments in 2024 possible gained’t attain 2022 figures. Kuo estimates gross sales to take a seat between 52 million and 54 million subsequent yr. Apple bought 63 million items final yr and can promote about 50 million iPads this yr.
All of it begins with the iPad Air
The 2024 iPad Air collection (iPad Air 6) will embrace two fashions, per Kuo. We’re taking a look at 10.9-inch and 12.9-inch sizes. The Sixth-gen iPad Air will reportedly hit manufacturing within the yr’s first quarter. A launch date isn’t talked about, nevertheless.
As for the 12.9-inch iPad Air 6, Kuo says the pill is an “all-new mannequin” fairly than a repurposed 12.9-inch iPad Professional. The pill doesn’t have a mini-LED display, however it options an oxide backplane identical to the mini-LED iPad Execs. The element ought to enhance show efficiency in comparison with the present iPad Air.
iPad Professional OLED
Apple will exchange the present Sixth-gen 12.9-inch iPad Professional and 4th-gen 11-inch iPad Professional with OLED variations. The brand new iPad Execs ought to hit manufacturing late within the first quarter of subsequent yr or within the second quarter.
The OLED panels will characteristic tandem designs and LTPO backplanes. Apple used the latter within the iPhone 15 Execs. The OLED screens will characteristic higher efficiency and extra environment friendly energy use than the present mini-LED screens. The complexity of those designs reportedly compelled Apple to push again mass manufacturing. Apple needed to fabricate the brand new iPad Execs in early 2024.
Kuo additionally says the brand new tablets will characteristic an M3 processor and the “improved type issue designs.” It’s unclear what the redesign will convey to the desk.
The insider additionally expects value hikes for the iPad Execs. The iPad Air 6 is perhaps guilty for that. The 12.9-inch mannequin needs to be dearer than the ten.9-inch model. It’s unclear what kind of processor bump the iPad Airs will get. The M3 can be an ideal shock, however the M2 looks as if the extra possible selection for the mid-range pill.
Kuo warns that the bigger iPad Air, mixed with dearer OLED iPad Professional fashions will scale back shipments. He expects Apple to promote between 6 million and eight million iPad Professional OLED items.
iPad mini 7 and iPad 11
Kuo additionally addressed the cheaper iPads that Apple will unveil subsequent yr. In line with him, the iPad mini 7 was additionally speculated to hit manufacturing within the first quarter of 2024. However Apple will begin manufacturing it within the second half of subsequent yr.
The iPad mini 7 is essentially the most thrilling of the bunch for me as a consequence of its dimension. It’s the pill I’ve been ready for from Apple for the reason that starting of this yr.
The iPad 11 will even hit mass manufacturing within the second half of 2024. The analyst doesn’t go over the iPad 11 upgrades, however he says that the iPad 9 will likely be discontinued earlier than the tip of 2024. It’s unclear if the iPad 10 will stay in Apple’s stock at a cheaper price level as soon as the iPad 11 arrives.
