iPad iPad might be getting M1 next year

[TigeRick]

At first, I thought that was not possible but after going through the specs of Apple Silicon and with the features of iPad OS 16, I think Apple might fast track it next year...

Some observations:-

1. iPad 10th gen most likely getting A14 + 4GB combination this year.
2. Ross Young mentioned about new display size of 10.5 inches for 2023 iPad which is likely for redesign of 11th gen iPad with USB-C connector. The new chassis most likely based on iPad Air 4th/5th gen with some features removed. Apple could of course putting A14 into new chassis and wait for one more year, but with more features (iPad OS 17 next year) specially for M1 iPad, I feel Apple has every intentions to move the whole iPad lineup to M-series SoC. And what better way to put M1 into new design of most popular iPad next year?
3. iPad Mini is always considered niche iPad in the whole lineup, so I am not sure about the future of it. A16 + LPDDR5 would be more expensive to produce and M1 still using LPDDR4X so I don't think Apple will be putting it on new version of iPad Mini if there is one...we will know more by the end of the year.

 

[MajorFubar]

I always did feel my newly-purchased iPad 9 might be one of the very last with A-series chips and the lightning connector. In fact that's precisely why I bought it over the Air, because 99% of the time I use it docked to watch videos in bed on a Sony clock radio with a lightning dock.

 

[Digitalguy]

Not a single chance of this happening. Like, absolute zero.
This year it should go to 4GB and next year... it will remain at 4GB, pretty much guaranteed. Why? Because Apple will try and save on RAM after having to move to USB C due to EU regulation, which will be more than enough as a marketing argument for the iPad 11. I think A15 and 4GB is the best that can be expected next year. And I would not rule out the price going to 399, but not sure either maybe they can keep the price to 349, but definitely no M1 or even increased RAM.

 

[Isengardtom]

I agree.

I think Apple will want to try to entice you to go for a higher end iPad like the Air. in order to do this, they will keep certain iPadOS features out of the base iPad.

Right now (iPadOS 15 and lower) the added value on the higher end iPads is almost purely hardware based. (Screen, audio, FaceID,design,...). your base iPad can basically do the same things as an iPad Pro

Compare that with the samsung 8 series lineup and an Ultra or S8+ is much more software capable than a base A8 Tab. and that functionality comes on top of the hardware improvements on those higher end models

I think Apple will head in the same direction. Somewhat at least

 

[rui no onna]

I think Apple will want to try to entice you to go for a higher end iPad like the Air. in order to do this, they will keep certain iPadOS features out of the base iPad.

Right now (iPadOS 15 and lower) the added value on the higher end iPads is almost purely hardware based. (Screen, audio, FaceID,design,...). your base iPad can basically do the same things as an iPad Pro

It may not be next year but I expect Stage Manager, etc. to trickle down to the regular iPad eventually. Both iPad 8th and 9th gen are faster than the 2017 iPad Pro at this point in time and get more software features thanks to the Neural Engine.

When that may be or what chipset it would be sporting by then is the question. They’ll have some other gimmick exclusive to the higher end iPads by then.

 

[Username-already-in-use]

I can’t see the base iPad getting M1 before the next Air and Mini refresh. If Apple still has plenty of A14 and A15 chips lying around, they would probably go into the 2022 and 2023 base models.

 

[TigeRick]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/refreshed-low-cost-ipad-said-to-feature-larger-display-a14-chip-usb-c-and-5g.2348159/

This is fast, maybe we will see iPad redesign this year with A14

 

[ArchebaldDiv.]

Hate to break it to you - but iPad (non Pro non Air) is NEVER getting an Mx processor. iPad will stay in its 'oldstyle' shell and use iPhone processors forever. Its a diferent protuct category for apple , in fact, and in a way - iPad and iPad Pro/Air are two different devices, with the same name and sort of similar features.

 

[Dealmans]

lol iPad with home button get M1 nah

 

[Student of Life]

Hate to break it to you - but iPad (non Pro non Air) is NEVER getting an Mx processor. iPad will stay in its 'oldstyle' shell and use iPhone processors forever. Its a diferent protuct category for apple , in fact, and in a way - iPad and iPad Pro/Air are two different devices, with the same name and sort of similar features.

No one honestly thought the Air would get the M1. Never say never should be the right attitude. Also assuming they get the M1 in a few years we will be on the M3+ which will have other features that the M1 chip can’t run.

 

[Digitalguy]

It may not be next year but I expect Stage Manager, etc. to trickle down to the regular iPad eventually. Both iPad 8th and 9th gen are faster than the 2017 iPad Pro at this point in time and get more software features thanks to the Neural Engine.

When that may be or what chipset it would be sporting by then is the question. They’ll have some other gimmick exclusive to the higher end iPads by then.

Stage Manager at some point? Sure, but probably not before another 5-6 years, when all the pros and even the air will start at 16GB and the base iPad will get 8. It could even take till the end of this decade.

 

[rui no onna]

Stage Manager at some point? Sure, but probably not before another 5-6 years, when all the pros and even the air will start at 16GB and the base iPad will get 8. It could even take till the end of this decade.

I’m actually expecting more like 3-5 years.

Iirc, I once posted that I didn’t expect to see 8GB RAM on iPads until like 2025 or something. I’m very happy to be proven wrong.

 

[ArchebaldDiv.]

No one honestly thought the Air would get the M1. Never say never should be the right attitude. Also assuming they get the M1 in a few years we will be on the M3+ which will have other features that the M1 chip can’t run.

Air is the real "Pro", Pro is the "Nice To Have" added stuff.

Basic iPad is for Grandma and Manga

If they give M1 to Basic iPad, that will increase price, and - than - they will no longer have 299euros iPad. I can see them doing it - if they can do it on the cheap side

 

[Digitalguy]

I’m actually expecting more like 3-5 years.

Iirc, I once posted that I didn’t expect to see 8GB RAM on iPads until like 2025 or something. I’m very happy to be proven wrong.

Well depends if we count from iPad 10 or iPad 11. I was counting from 10, but even from 11 I would say 4 years at the very least. My predictions:
2022 4GB RAM max (a14)
2023: still 4GB RAM but small redesign to fit USB C (don't expect iPad air design) (A15) (Mini moves to 6)
2024: earliest date for 6GB (might still be 4)
2025: no more than 6GB, possible redesign
2026 I still think no more than 6, but earliest date for 8GB (only if Macbook air, iPad pro and iPad air have moved to 16GB as base configuration, with no more iPad pros or airs or MacBooks with 8GB RAM)

Anyway looking forward to the day where 8GB is in the rear mirror for any MacBook or iPad other than the base (and maybe the mini)

 

[rui no onna]

Well depends if we count from iPad 10 or iPad 11. I was counting from 10, but even from 11 I would say 4 years at the very least. My predictions:
2022 4GB RAM max (a14)
2023: still 4GB RAM but small redesign to fit USB C (don't expect iPad air design) (A15) (Mini moves to 6)
2024: earliest date for 6GB (might still be 4)
2025: no more than 6GB, possible redesign
2026 I still think no more than 6, but earliest date for 8GB (only if Macbook air, iPad pro and iPad air have moved to 16GB as base configuration, with no more iPad pros or airs or MacBooks with 8GB RAM)

Anyway looking forward to the day where 8GB is in the rear mirror for any MacBook or iPad other than the base (and maybe the mini)

It's not entirely out of the realm of possibility that they skip 6GB altogether.

 

[Digitalguy]

It's not entirely out of the realm of possibility that they skip 6GB altogether.

I think it's unlikely for the base iPad, on the contrary I believe the 6GB will probably last at least 3 years. Having said that I wish I am wrong and you are right on this, but I don't believe so. We'll see 😉

 

[Macalicious2011]

M1 is overkill for the average user.

There is no need to give the base iPad M1 and cannibalise the Air and Procinthe process. Remember that Apple has been selling the iPhone 6/SE with dated specs without resistance.

 

[The Game 161]

Doesn’t sound like M1 will come to any iPads but the pros and air

be nice if the mini came with option for stage manager but i don’t see mini being updated for s few years

 

[Macalicious2011]

Doesn’t sound like M1 will come to any iPads but the pros and air

be nice if the mini came with option for stage manager but i don’t see mini being updated for s few years

I expect future cutting edge features for both iOS and OSX to be exclusive to M1/M2 powered hardware.

 

[ericwn]

Air is the real "Pro", Pro is the "Nice To Have" added stuff.

Basic iPad is for Grandma and Manga

If they give M1 to Basic iPad, that will increase price, and - than - they will no longer have 299euros iPad. I can see them doing it - if they can do it on the cheap side

So we’re back at the table after saying “never” and now they’ll do it if they can do it cheaply? That was one quick change of mind!

 

[gpat]

My prediction for 10th generation iPad:

- Outer chassis kept same as current Air/Pro 11", USB-C, Pencil 2nd generation support, this would also keep compatibility with the current Magic Keyboard + trackpad folio cover for the existing 11" Air.

- Inner display being just 10.5" like older iPad Pro, rest of the space would be filled by bezels, possibly non-laminated display.

- A-series CPU with no stage manager.

- Just 1 or 2 color options, starting from 64GB, base price anywhere from $349 to $399.

You heard it here first.

 

[antiprotest]

And then they will introduce a feature that requires the M3 and the chip won't even be out yet.

 

[rui no onna]

My prediction for 10th generation iPad:

- Outer chassis kept same as current Air/Pro 11", USB-C, Pencil 2nd generation support, this would also keep compatibility with the current Magic Keyboard + trackpad folio cover for the existing 11" Air.

- Inner display being just 10.5" like older iPad Pro, rest of the space would be filled by bezels, possibly non-laminated display.

- A-series CPU with no stage manager.

- Just 1 or 2 color options, starting from 64GB, base price anywhere from $349 to $399.

You heard it here first.

This is about what I expect, too.

 

[jav6454]

At first, I thought that was not possible but after going through the specs of Apple Silicon and with the features of iPad OS 16, I think Apple might fast track it next year...

View attachment 2018938

Some observations:-

1. iPad 10th gen most likely getting A14 + 4GB combination this year.
2. Ross Young mentioned about new display size of 10.5 inches for 2023 iPad which is likely for redesign of 11th gen iPad with USB-C connector. The new chassis most likely based on iPad Air 4th/5th gen with some features removed. Apple could of course putting A14 into new chassis and wait for one more year, but with more features (iPad OS 17 next year) specially for M1 iPad, I feel Apple has every intentions to move the whole iPad lineup to M-series SoC. And what better way to put M1 into new design of most popular iPad next year?
3. iPad Mini is always considered niche iPad in the whole lineup, so I am not sure about the future of it. A16 + LPDDR5 would be more expensive to produce and M1 still using LPDDR4X so I don't think Apple will be putting it on new version of iPad Mini if there is one...we will know more by the end of the year.

More like they'll get the next A-x CPU

 

[Digitalguy]

My prediction for 10th generation iPad:

- Outer chassis kept same as current Air/Pro 11", USB-C, Pencil 2nd generation support, this would also keep compatibility with the current Magic Keyboard + trackpad folio cover for the existing 11" Air.

- Inner display being just 10.5" like older iPad Pro, rest of the space would be filled by bezels, possibly non-laminated display.

- A-series CPU with no stage manager.

- Just 1 or 2 color options, starting from 64GB, base price anywhere from $349 to $399.

You heard it here first.

the 10.5 size with bezels is not realistic IMO... it would almost be going back to iPad one bezels, a step backward even compared to the 2013 air...
Unless they make it smaller, as Max Tech predicts, and make a smaller Magic Keyboard for it, or no Magic Keyboard at all. If they redesign it like the air, price will jump $100, and I wonder if they would leave the iPad 9 in the market to hit the 329 CHF price point or if they give that up completely...