If you’ve ever looked atApple’s tablet lineupand wondered what on Earth is going on, you aren’t alone. Things are confusing with multiple iPads offered with seemingly few differences and extremely similar display sizes. The pricing structure doesn’t always make sense, either, and the staggered release windows can sometimes make it difficult to figure out which is the best iPad.
But now Apple is said to be having a rethink with the aim of making the iPad lineup as easy to understand as that of the Mac. Over in laptop land, theMacBook Aircomes in two screen sizes, and above that theMacBook Proalso comes in two different display size options. Apple is set to do something similar with its tablets, hopefully making it much clearer when making a buying decision next time out.
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The first part of that will be a change to the iPad Air and iPad Pro situation. The Air will reportedly get new models in March 2024, with a new 10.9-inch model set to be joined by an all-new 12.9-inch version. The2024 iPad Prowill mirror the update, offering 11- and 13-inch models. The same month will see thebest iPadupdated with new OLED displays and an M3 chip, while the iPad Air will lack the Pro’s 120Hz ProMotion feature and use the slower M2 chip. The result will be a clearer differentiation as to which model sits above the other in the eyes of buyers.
“…The iPad Air will clearly be lower-end than the Pro, but it also will be a notable improvement over the standard iPad.”
“So the iPad Air will clearly be lower-end than the Pro, but it also will be a notable improvement over the standard iPad,” Gurman says. “It will have two screen sizes and an M2 processor, making it superior to the 10th generation model - a product that isn’t due to get upgraded until much later.” That differentiation between the iPad Air and the standard iPad is key, with the 11th-gen iPad set to arrive much later in the year. That should also finally see the end of the9th-gen iPad, killing off the Home button for good. The10th-gen iPadis expected to remain an option at a lower price point, however.
The iPad mini is also set to get a refresh, but that won’t come until later in the year with a new, faster chip being added. Little is known about this updated model, however, and we can expect more leaks as the weeks and months progress.
In summary, Apple might simplify its iPad lineup, by making it easier for you to differentiate and choose the right iPad.
The following changes are rumored to come to the iPad next year:
This revamp aims to make Apple’s tablet offerings as straightforward as their MacBook range, with each iPad model having clear and distinct features, helping customers understand which iPad best fits their needs.
