iPad Air iPad Air M1 next year?

[iamMacPerson]

The next Air will most certainly have an M1... if not an M2 even. With the next generation iPad Pro getting the M2 after.

It's an obvious evolution now that Apple is reducing chip design lines.

Also, the question of why Pro then?

Easy... more ram, larger storage options, 120hz screen... this isn't complicated to figure out.

No it won’t. Apple is dropping the A#X-series in favor of the M-series chips since the M1 is basically what the A14X was supposed to be. It makes no sense for them to have two identical SoCs with different names. The A-series chips will be lower-power, lower heat, lower power consumption and slower than M-series counterparts.

Basically: if it had an A#X chip, expect it to be upgraded with the M-series. If it had a non-suffixed A-chip, it's staying on the A-series.

Won't get the "full" M1 chip, likely crippled with less big cores like the current one.

Again, no. Most likely it will get a later A-series chip which will probably be on-par with or faster than the M1.

 

[doboy]

Again, no. Most likely it will get a later A-series chip which will probably be on-par with or faster than the M1.

For single core. Then newer Pro will beat it with more cores and cycle will continue, haha.

 

[iamMacPerson]

The A14-based iPad Air 4 handily beats the A10X-based iPad Pro 10.5. For that matter, I think so does the A12-based basic iPad.

If the Apple A16 can match or beat M1 performance with fewer cores and using less power, I consider that a win.

You are correct. The base-model iPad with the A12 is about 20% faster on multicore and 30% faster on single core than the A10X-equipped iPad Pro 10.5. The iPad Air on multicore is about 80% faster.

 

[iamMacPerson]

For single core. Then newer Pro will beat it with more cores and cycle will continue, haha.

No I think it will be on both multi and single core. I believe that with the die-shrink coming in 2022 and ARMv9 coming most likely next year as well, the A16 has a good chance on coming neck-and-neck with the M1 on multi-core and way ahead in single, without the addition of more cores. The A17 will sling-shot past both. Additionally, the M2 will be a faster M1 and the biggest leap will come in either the M2X or M3, again because of ARMv9.

 

[isoft7]

The base iPad and iPad Air have just been getting iPhone chips. It's not getting a chip that's specially designed for iPad. Given Apple sells something like 200 million iPhones a year and the die size of phone SoCs is much smaller, I expect there's even greater savings there than putting M1 on the Air.

Why would that continue?

iPad Pro had "iPhone" chips in them as well if you want to get technical. In fact, if you want to get super technical, the M1 is an "iPhone" chip.

M1 is not new architecture.

 

[Gandek]

Does not make sense for them to update the Air just yet first of all. It’s the mid range device for those who want a basic but nicer iPad… The design is already similar to a pro and A14 is great for most people (hell it’s In your phone) it probably won’t get updated until late 2022.

 

[isoft7]

No it won’t. Apple is dropping the A#X-series in favor of the M-series chips since the M1 is basically what the A14X was supposed to be. It makes no sense for them to have two identical SoCs with different names. The A-series chips will be lower-power, lower heat, lower power consumption and slower than M-series counterparts.

Basically: if it had an A#X chip, expect it to be upgraded with the M-series. If it had a non-suffixed A-chip, it's staying on the A-series.


Again, no. Most likely it will get a later A-series chip which will probably be on-par with or faster than the M1.

I'm actually not so sure the next generation iPhone isn't going to have an M1 in it too. A lower wattage version. M1s or something. Why not?

It's all A series architecture, it's all the same just with continued improvements and additional features.

There's no reason to believe the next iPad Air, or even base iPad for that sake won't also have M1's in them.

 

[iamMacPerson]

Why would that continue?

iPad Pro had "iPhone" chips in them as well if you want to get technical. In fact, if you want to get super technical, the M1 is an "iPhone" chip.

M1 is not new architecture.

I'm actually not so sure the next generation iPhone isn't going to have an M1 in it too. A lower wattage version. M1s or something. Why not?

It's all A series architecture, it's all the same just with continued improvements and additional features.

There's no reason to believe the next iPad Air, or even base iPad for that sake won't also have M1's in them.

Why would it stop? It's not about architecture it's about fabrication. Simply put, the fabrication of the A-series chips is completely different then the M-series chips. Heck, it's even different than the A#X chips. The X chips always had more cores, higher clocked cores, a different GPU layout and a different RAM layout.

 

[rui no onna]

Why would that continue?

iPad Pro had "iPhone" chips in them as well if you want to get technical. In fact, if you want to get super technical, the M1 is an "iPhone" chip.

M1 is not new architecture.

Cost. The A# chips have smaller die-size and are likely much cheaper per unit than the A#X/M# chips.

 

[isoft7]

Why would it stop? It's not about architecture it's about fabrication. Simply put, the fabrication of the A-series chips is completely different then the M-series chips. Heck, it's even different than the A#X chips. The X chips always had more cores, higher clocked cores, a different GPU layout and a different RAM layout.

Fabrication is the same... A14 is 5nm TSMC, M1 is 5nm TSMC. The only differences between their production is the GDS file and the masks that are cut, thats it, there's nothing magical going on here.

And when you want to talk about fabrication, the fewer masks the cheaper and the fewer the more output that can be produced. Apple is brilliant, they have the most money because they understand streamlining better than anyone since Henry Ford. Part of their move to getting the M1 into the iPad Pro isn't about bridging the gap between MacOS and iPadOS as so many people here think, it's about reducing costs and increase production. It's simple and smart business.

 

[isoft7]

Cost. The A# chips have smaller die-size and are likely much cheaper per unit than the A#X/M# chips.

Right, smaller die size does indeed reduce cost, it's a fairly direct relationship. But when we're talking Apple volumes, things are slimmer than with most companies.

There's also a huge cost involved in the R&D behind carrying on multiple product lines, especially when youre talking about custom hardware designs.

This is why I could easily see the next iPad Air having an M1 inside it, it's just easier to make a crap ton of M1's, then it is to make half a crap ton of M1's and half a crap ton of A15's, or whatever the next Air would have.

As for iPhones, taking an M1 and disabling half of the GPU cores or whatever in silicone, reducing power consumption and slapping it into the iPhone 13 makes a great deal of sense. But, it wouldn't be an M1 then, instead an M1s or something like that, there'd be a designation.

 

[iamMacPerson]

Fabrication is the same... A14 is 5nm TSMC, M1 is 5nm TSMC. The only differences between their production is the GDS file and the masks that are cut, thats it, there's nothing magical going on here.

And when you want to talk about fabrication, the fewer masks the cheaper and the fewer the more output that can be produced. Apple is brilliant, they have the most money because they understand streamlining better than anyone since Henry Ford. Part of their move to getting the M1 into the iPad Pro isn't about bridging the gap between MacOS and iPadOS as so many people here think, it's about reducing costs and increase production. It's simple and smart business.

That's what I've been saying, its about saving money. Thing is there is enough of a difference between A-series and the M-series that it would make no sense for Apple to replace the A-series with the M-series.

The M-series and X-suffixed chips have always had a completely different GPU and RAM layout. The physical layout of the chip is totally different. It's also a muuuuuch bigger package, always has been.

 

[iamMacPerson]

Right, smaller die size does indeed reduce cost, it's a fairly direct relationship. But when we're talking Apple volumes, things are slimmer than with most companies.

There's also a huge cost involved in the R&D behind carrying on multiple product lines, especially when youre talking about custom hardware designs.

This is why I could easily see the next iPad Air having an M1 inside it, it's just easier to make a crap ton of M1's, then it is to make half a crap ton of M1's and half a crap ton of A15's, or whatever the next Air would have.

As for iPhones, taking an M1 and disabling half of the GPU cores or whatever in silicone, reducing power consumption and slapping it into the iPhone 14 makes a great deal of sense. But, it wouldn't be an M1 then, instead an M1s or something like that, there'd be a designation.

Again, you're forgetting that the M-series and X-suffixed chips are physically larger and there is no room left in the iPhone chassis.

 

[isoft7]

Again, you're forgetting that the M-series and X-suffixed chips are physically larger and there is no room left in the iPhone chassis.

That's what I've been saying, its about saving money. Thing is there is enough of a difference between A-series and the M-series that it would make no sense for Apple to replace the A-series with the M-series.

The M-series and X-suffixed chips have always had a completely different GPU and RAM layout. The physical layout of the chip is totally different. It's also a muuuuuch bigger package, always has been.

Right, I think you and are are actually arguing the same point haha, only with different opinions on how that plays out, which is kind of fun, and I enjoy it, so thank you for sharing your thoughts, I mean that.

About the die size, thats actually not a concern, the A10 in the iPhone had a 125mm2 die size, the M1 has a smaller die size of "only" 120mm2. The only current model iPhone that couldn't house the M1 would be the mini and we already know it's getting cut for the next cycle. (that might be a hint).

It's true the A14 is 88mm2 but, the current iPhone 12 has a rather large 5G controller chip from Qualcomm on the logic board, it's been reported since December that Apple is working on their own 5G controller to integrate into the M1 series processor.

There are ways it could fit.

 

[Act3]

The next Air will most certainly have an M1... if not an M2 even. With the next generation iPad Pro getting the M2 after.

It's an obvious evolution now that Apple is reducing chip design lines.

Also, the question of why Pro then?

Easy... more ram, larger storage options, 120hz screen... this isn't complicated to figure out.

streamlining

 

[iamMacPerson]

Right, I think you and are are actually arguing the same point haha, only with different opinions on how that plays out, which is kind of fun, and I enjoy it, so thank you for sharing your thoughts, I mean that.

About the die size, thats actually not a concern, the A10 in the iPhone had a 125mm2 die size, the M1 has a smaller die size of "only" 120mm2. The only current model iPhone that couldn't house the M1 would be the mini and we already know it's getting cut for the next cycle. (that might be a hint).

It's true the A14 is 88mm2 but, the current iPhone 12 has a rather large 5G controller chip from Qualcomm on the logic board, it's been reported since December that Apple is working on their own 5G controller to integrate into the M1 series processor.

There are ways it could fit.

Well we'll see who ends up being right come September haha. Either way, Apple has no where to go but up in terms of performance. As far as my iPhone, I'm holding out until there is another major camera bump. The A12 more than meets my needs. I know Kuo said something about a 48MP camera come 2022. We'll see.

Also, rumor still is that the iPhone mini still stay through this year. Makes sense, the tooling between the iPhone 13 and 12 is supposed to be identical minus the camera. Might as well get the most they can out of R&D.

 

[snipr125]

Going by the the release of previous Ipad Airs, the 3rd Gen was released in March 2019 and was given the current A Chip at the time which was the A12 from the Iphone XS. 2 years later the Ipad Air 4th Gen was announced in Sept 2020, and to everyone's amazement it was given the A14 chip (before the iphone 12 was announced even). Both Airs were released with the current A Chip's that were better or on par with the current Ipad Pro at the time (A10X and A12Z).

Personally I reckon the trend will continue, and the Air 5 will get the best A chip available (A15?), which will probably be just behind the M1 (the M1 has raised the bar somewhat), but probably more efficient in the use of its cores. To be honest I would rather a current A chip on the Air 5, than a previous Gen M chip if this makes sense. The cycle will continue like this with the Air always being just behind the Pro.

 

[rui no onna]

Both Airs were released with the current A Chip's that were better or on par with the current Ipad Pro at the time (A10X and A12Z).

Nope. 2018 iPad Pro with A12X had already been released the year before the Air 3 with A12. The Air 4 was an outlier.

 

[throAU]

Eventually, as the Pros add more bells and whistles and more powerful chips, I could see an Air with the M1 chip. I canceled my 2021 iPad Pro order as mom wouldn't take my 2020 Air.

I'll wait for sales on both models. If I can snag a 256gb Air for $450 new or the 11" 256gb M1 is on sale for $650 new, I'll jump.

Thing is, there's a hard floor to the production cost of the M1 and being a multiple chip package with a performance leading chip in it, its significantly more expensive than apple will be able to produce an appropriate chip for the air for in a year or two before it is upgraded.

I'm not sure why people think that anything is coming for the air next year.

it was 2-3 years before the current Air caught up in some ways (and not others) to the CPU/GPU performance of the iPad Pros, and the M1 iPad Pro isn't even shipping in volume yet (likely mid-may).

Expecting the M1 to drop to the lower tiers of iPad - even if it was ever going to - by next year is nuts. Unless you want to be paying ipad pro price for your airs.

No, the ipad air will get something better than it currently has likely late 2022-2023 and it will be slightly lower tier than today's M1. But Apple will be able to produce it much cheaper than the M1 at that point. The M1 will maybe be replaced by then and no longer in production.

 

[rui no onna]

Thing is, there's a hard floor to the production cost of the M1 and being a multiple chip package with a performance leading chip in it, its significantly more expensive than apple will be able to produce an appropriate chip for the air for in a year or two before it is upgraded.

I'm not sure why people think that anything is coming for the air next year.

it was 2-3 years before the current Air caught up in some ways (and not others) to the CPU/GPU performance of the iPad Pros, and the M1 iPad Pro isn't even shipping in volume yet (likely mid-may).

Expecting the M1 to drop to the lower tiers of iPad - even if it was ever going to - by next year is nuts. Unless you want to be paying ipad pro price for your airs.

No, the ipad air will get something better than it currently has likely late 2022-2023 and it will be slightly lower tier than today's M1. But Apple will be able to produce it much cheaper than the M1 at that point. The M1 will maybe be replaced by then and no longer in production.

Yep. Iirc, Apple sells somewhere around 200 million iPhones, 30-40 million iPads and 20 million Macs.

Seems to me A14 (and presumably the A15 replacement) would still offer much greater economies of scale and lower production cost than M1 just from the sheer volume of iPhone sales.

I think the only way convergence would be practical is if Apple manages the power envelope so they can use the same chip from the iPhone all the way to the iPad Pro and entry level Macs.

 

[Bethanie21]

Since I bought the 2020 Pro few months prior to Air's release, I wasn't too thrilled. But Air seems be plagued by crappy screen, at least

Crappy screen? I have an Air 4 and the screen is perfectly fine. I’m so bored of the snobbery on this forum.

 

[doboy]

Crappy screen? I have an Air 4 and the screen is perfectly fine. I’m so bored of the snobbery on this forum.

Have you seen all the complaints about backlight bleeding? BTW, I didn’t claim all Airs have crappy screen. Don’t be so butt hurt

 

[isoft7]

Apple doesn't sell products with crappy screens.

 

[doboy]

Apple doesn't sell products with crappy screens.

They may believe that, but that’s not the reality.

 

[Digitalguy]

It just depends when Apple starts selling devices with ARM v9. I know the rumor is the M2 but I’m thinking that’s too soon. If I were a betting man I would say the M2X or M3, so sometime in 2022 and that would be a stretch IMO. Apple was the first to use ARM v8, which debuted in the A7 (iPhone 5s). ARM v8 was published in Oct 2011 and the A7 released in Sept 2013. Assuming a sped-up 1.5 year timeline from when the reference lands in Apple’s lap to when the first device is ready to ship, we’re talking Sept 2022. At that same time, v9 will work it’s way into the mobile-series chips. So expect the A16 to be gangbusters, not the A15.

At this point nobody can make accurate predictions about ARM v9. Anandtech were even expecting ARM v9 in the A14 last year....
It may be A15 or A16, regardless I don't expect any Air 5 this year... (only iPad 9 with A12 and maybe a new mini).
The Air will more likely skip again a generation and move to A16 and at that point Arm V9 is pretty much a given. My guess is that M2 will be v9 too. I don't expect any M2 macs in 2021. More like Spring 2022 at the earliest.
And M2 will power all base Macs and the next gen iPad pro in 2022 (which at this point might not come until after the summer) with a jump that should be similar to the move from A12X/Z (let's call it M0, after all it powered the first Apple Silicon Mac for developers ? ) to M1.