- Kyle Chua
Apple Could Release 12.9-inch iPad Air, OLED iPad Pro Next Year
Updated: Dec 17, 2023
Apple's line of iPads are due for a refresh.
The Cupertino tech giant is rumoured to be releasing new iPad models next year, featuring some key upgrades.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that, for the first time ever, a 12.9-inch iPad Air will begin mass production some time early next year, alongside a new 10.9-inch model. The first-of-its-kind iPad Air, however, despite sharing the same size as the iPad Pro, likely won't come with the latter's mini-LED display. Kuo does say that the larger variant will benefit from an oxide backplane, enabling it to deliver better performance over its smaller sibling.
Apple additionally plans to release a new iPad Pro, which is expected to go into production within the first half of next year. Kuo says there will be two new Pro models that will ship with an M3 chip and a new OLED panel. Further, they'll use the iPhone 15 Pro's LTPO backplane, which would improve display performance and battery life.
More affordable iPad models could also be coming in the future. Kuo says the new iPad 11th generation and iPad mini begins mass production in the second half of 2024. Previously, it was reported that the two models, along with the iPad Air, will begin production in the coming month. But, with this new forecast, that doesn't seem to be the case anymore.
Meanwhile, the iPad 9th generation production will go to end-of-life (EOL) before the end of 2024.
Given that these are production forecasts, it's yet unclear when these new iPad models could hit the market. Kuo's forecasts does back up Bloomberg's report that every iPad model is expected to be updated some time next year.
New iPad models could help Apple bring more new products into market, considering that it's been over a year since the last new iPad released.
Apple is rumoured to be updating every single iPad model next year, all of which would likely feature some worthwhile upgrades.
Chief among them perhaps is the first-of-its-kind 12.9-inch iPad Air, which would be launching alongside a new 10.9-inch model.
The iPad Pro, meanwhile, will be replacing its mini-LED display for an OLED one.