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It's mid-November 2023, and it should be clear to any iPad fan that Apple will not be updating any iPads in its lineup this year. The iPad 11, iPad mini 7 and iPad Air 6 models won't be released until next year. This is also when Apple will update the iPad Pro line with OLED panels and other design changes.
It could all start with the iPad Air 6 update, which could be released early next year. Well-known Apple insider Ming-Chi Kuo said in a new report that Apple has a surprise for buyers by preparing a 12.9-inch iPad Air model. This would be the first of its kind and a more affordable large-screen iPad than the upcoming 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
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The analyst said on Medium that the main iPad updates next year are the M3 processor and OLED displays. However, iPad shipments in 2024 will likely not reach 2022 numbers. Kuo estimates that sales will be between 52 million and 54 million next year. Apple sold 63 million units last year and will sell about 50 million iPads this year.
It all starts with the iPad Air
The 2024 iPad Air (iPad Air 6) series will include two models, per Kuo. We're looking at 10.9-inch and 12.9-inch sizes. The 6th generation iPad Air will go into production in the first quarter of the year. A release date is not mentioned, however.
As for the 12.9-inch iPad Air 6, Kuo says the tablet is an “all-new model” rather than a repurposed 12.9-inch iPad Pro. The tablet doesn't have a mini-LED display, but it does have an oxide backplane, just like the mini-LED iPad Pros. The component should improve screen performance compared to the current iPad Air.
iPad Pro OLED
Apple will replace the current 6th-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro and 4th-generation 11-inch iPad Pro with OLED versions. The new iPad Pros are expected to reach production at the end of the first quarter of next year or the second quarter.
The OLED panels will feature tandem designs and LTPO backplanes. Apple used the latter in the iPhone 15 Pros. OLED screens will feature better performance and more efficient power usage than current mini-LED screens. The complexity of these designs forced Apple to delay mass production. Apple wanted to manufacture the new iPad Pros in early 2024.
Kuo also says the new tablets will feature an M3 processor and “enhanced form factor designs.” It's unclear what the redesign will bring to the table.
The source also expects price increases for iPad Pros. The iPad Air 6 could be to blame for this. The 12.9-inch model is expected to be more expensive than the 10.9-inch version. It's unclear what kind of processor boost the iPad Airs will have. The M3 would be a big surprise, but the M2 seems like the more likely choice for the mid-range tablet.
Kuo warns that the larger iPad Air, combined with more expensive OLED iPad Pro models, will reduce shipments. He expects Apple to sell between 6 million and 8 million iPad Pro OLED units.
iPad mini 7 and iPad 11
Kuo also touched on the cheaper iPads Apple will launch next year. According to him, the iPad mini 7 should also go into production in the first quarter of 2024. But Apple will start manufacturing it in the second half of next year.
The iPad mini 7 is the most interesting of all to me because of its size. It's the tablet I've been waiting for from Apple since the beginning of this year.
The iPad 11 will also reach mass production in the second half of 2024. The analyst doesn't address iPad 11 upgrades, but says the iPad 9 will be discontinued before the end of 2024. It's unclear whether the iPad 10 will remain in stock from Apple for a lower price when the iPad 11 arrives.
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It's mid-November 2023, and it should be clear to any iPad fan that Apple will not be updating any iPads in its lineup this year. The iPad 11, iPad mini 7 and iPad Air 6 models won't be released until next year. This is also when Apple will update the iPad Pro line with OLED panels and other design changes. Technology. Entertainment. Science. Your inbox. Sign up to receive the most interesting technology and entertainment news. By signing up, I agree to the Terms of Use and have read the Privacy Notice. It could all start with the iPad Air 6 update, which could be released early next year. Well-known Apple insider Ming-Chi Kuo said in a new report that Apple has a surprise for buyers by preparing a 12.9-inch iPad Air model. This would be the first of its kind and a more affordable large-screen iPad than the upcoming 12.9-inch iPad Pro. The analyst said on Medium that the main iPad updates next year are the M3 processor and OLED displays. However, iPad shipments in 2024 will likely not reach 2022 numbers. Kuo estimates that sales will be between 52 million and 54 million next year. Apple sold 63 million units last year and will sell about 50 million iPads this year. It all starts with the iPad Air The 2024 iPad Air series (iPad Air 6) will include two models, per Kuo. We're looking at 10.9-inch and 12.9-inch sizes. The 6th generation iPad Air will go into production in the first quarter of the year. A release date is not mentioned, however. As for the 12.9-inch iPad Air 6, Kuo says the tablet is an “all-new model” rather than a repurposed 12.9-inch iPad Pro. The tablet doesn't have a mini-LED display, but it does have an oxide backplane, just like the mini-LED iPad Pros. The component should improve screen performance compared to the current iPad Air.
iPad Pro (2022) Image source: Christian from Looper for BGR iPad Pro OLED Apple will replace the current 6th-gen 12.9-inch iPad Pro and 4th-gen 11-inch iPad Pro with OLED versions. The new iPad Pros are expected to reach production at the end of the first quarter of next year or the second quarter. The OLED panels will feature tandem designs and LTPO backplanes. Apple used the latter in the iPhone 15 Pros. OLED screens will feature better performance and more efficient power usage than current mini-LED screens. The complexity of these designs forced Apple to delay mass production. Apple wanted to manufacture the new iPad Pros in early 2024. Kuo also says the new tablets will feature an M3 processor and “enhanced form factor designs.” It's unclear what the redesign will bring to the table. The source also expects price increases for iPad Pros. The iPad Air 6 could be to blame for this. The 12.9-inch model is expected to be more expensive than the 10.9-inch version. It's unclear what kind of processor boost the iPad Airs will get. The M3 would be a big surprise, but the M2 seems like the more likely choice for the mid-range tablet. Kuo warns that the larger iPad Air, combined with more expensive OLED iPad Pro models, will reduce shipments. He expects Apple to sell between 6 million and 8 million iPad Pro OLED units.
Kuo also touched on the cheaper iPads Apple will launch next year. According to him, the iPad mini 7 should also go into production in the first quarter of 2024. But Apple will start manufacturing it in the second half of next year. The iPad mini 7 is the most interesting of all to me because of its size. It's the tablet I've been waiting for from Apple since the beginning of this year. The iPad 11 will also reach mass production in the second half of 2024. The analyst doesn't address iPad 11 upgrades, but says the iPad 9 will be discontinued before the end of 2024. It's unclear whether the iPad 10 will remain in stock from Apple for a lower price when the iPad 11 arrives.
