All iPads For the same price, which iPad would you get?

[Digitalguy]

Technically, $250 upfront if you're look at street pricing for base models (so more or less enough savings to buy a new entry level model sooner if needed). Besides, chances are if you resell, depreciation on a $250 iPad 6 will be less than depreciation on a $500 iPad Air 3.

There's also absolutely no guarantee one will keep the Air 3 longer than one would the iPad 6. There are reasons other than pure horsepower that one might wish to upgrade. Newer models might support 8K video, a new codec, new connectors, faster wifi standard, 5G, etc.

Note, it's possible for the entry level iPad refresh to get A12/3GB as long as overall specs are still lower than Air 3 (so likely lower storage, no Smart Connector, no laminated display, no anti-reflective coating, no True Tone, no eSIM, worse cameras, etc). We did get the A9/2GB iPhone SE which had same CPU and RAM as then latest iPhone 6s for $200 less.


As for the produce argument, we've actually stopped buying bulk packages of goods that can spoil. If you buy the $3.99 bag at $0.25/lb and only eat 4 lbs (or less) and throw away the rest, you've still spent $1+ more than you needed to.

This is also akin to telling someone they should spend $100-150 extra for 128-256GB storage when that person wouldn't even use 5GB.

Solid arguments as usual. I think A11 vs A12 is not a big deal, 3GB is, instead, for future proofing. But then again if storage remains at 32 it's not that future proof for the entry level model. Also, going all the way to increase the screen size, add A12 and 3GB and then making is non laminated for "positioning" reasons feels so dumb... But I guess we'll discover soon when Apple will cut corners in order not to destroy the value of the Air 3

 

[rui no onna]

Solid arguments as usual. I think A11 vs A12 is not a big deal, 3GB is, instead, for future proofing. But then again if storage remains at 32 it's not that future proof for the entry level model. Also, going all the way to increase the screen size, add A12 and 3GB and then making is non laminated for "positioning" reasons feels so dumb... But I guess we'll discover soon when Apple will cut corners in order not to destroy the value of the Air 3

It's not simply positioning. It's also being able to reach a certain price point with the desired profit margins.

Iirc, going with non-laminated saves them ~$20-30 so it's probably the biggest line item cost reduction. Meanwhile, 64GB to 32GB NAND or 3GB to 2GB RAM would save them less than $10 per device.

Mind, it's been 5 years since iPads got 2GB. With the increased multitasking capabilities on iPadOS, they do kinda need to up the RAM to at least 3GB at this point in time.

 

[Digitalguy]

It's not simply positioning. It's also being able to reach a certain price point with the desired profit margins.

Iirc, going with non-laminated saves them ~$20-30 so it's probably the biggest line item cost reduction. Meanwhile, 64GB to 32GB NAND or 3GB to 2GB RAM would save them less than $10 per device.

Mind, it's been 5 years since iPads got 2GB. With the increased multitasking capabilities on iPadOS, they do kinda need to up the RAM to at least 3GB at this point in time.

I don't know, I still think going 10.2 is more expensive than going laminated. But only Apple knows these details exactly, we can only speculate on the exact production costs....

 

[0989382]

The next gen regular iPad likely released this autumn will not have the A10, but instead probably A12 or even A13 according to Macworld. You have your facts wrong. In addition, regular iPad processors have always held up well over many successions of IOS.

That's what most value users who don't need all the bells and whistles look for, especially when the cost savings is typically half the cost of the Pro models. On top of that, there's more than enough savings left over to upgrade more frequently as well.

It's most likely to have the A11... They want it to trail behind the Air 3, without needing to be dropped off from iOS support soon (so schools can get their money's worth, budget buyers too).

Had the Air 3 not been introduced and it be a matter of iPad 7th Gen vs. iPad Pro, then yes, I'd see the lower cost option having a closer processor. But with the middle model now the 'go to', they'll happily let the budget option lag behind.