This year marks the first time when we don’t see any hardware updates to the iPad line, so if you’re holding out for upgrading your existing iPad, new iPad models might just be around the corner.
According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, he expects Apple to launch updated models of both the iPad Air and iPad Pro as early as the first semester of 2024. The iPad Air was last updated with the M1 chip found in Apple’s first Macs with Apple Silicon, and we’re expecting Apple to introduce an additional larger 12.9-inch model in the Air lineup, similar to how Apple introduced the 15-inch MacBook Air. That upcoming model won’t have a Liquid Retina XDR (mini-LED) display, but it will use the standard Liquid Retina (LCD) display to keep the price down and to avoid cannibalization of the higher-end iPad Pro sales.
Speaking of iPad Pro, he also expects bigger changes to Apple’s flagship table, including the first major redesign since 2018. The next-generation iPad Pro models are expected to come equipped with OLED displays, providing super-high brightness/contrast ratios. He also expects a redesigned Magic Keyboard and third-generation Apple Pencil with the possibility of interchangeable tips (not to be confused with the Apple Pencil with USB-C). The current iPad Pro uses the M2 chip, so we can expect Apple to pack in the M3 chip in the next iPad Pro, bringing hardware-accelerated ray tracing to the iPad for the very first time.
Going to the Mac side, Gurman reports that the next generation of MacBook Air models is in the works. The current 13-inch model was introduced with a major redesign back in June 2022, followed by the larger 15-inch model back in June 2023. They both come equipped with the M2 chip. Apple debuted the M3 series of chips back in late October. Since the base M3 chip is now in both the iMac and base 14-inch MacBook Pro, we can expect the MacBook Air to follow suit.
The iPad Air, iPad Pro, and MacBook Air are expected to be introduced around spring 2024, so it’s still possible that Apple could hold an event for those devices like it did in the past.
Will you be buying an upcoming iPad or MacBook Air? Let us know in the comments below.
