They might even make the iPad 9 or 10 compatible as well? Perhaps if the rumours of the Air getting mini LED are true it's too much to have 3 iPads at similar display sizes so they're focusing on the cheaper ones.
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iPad Pro No more 11” iPad Pro?
- Thread starter blurryvision
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But the 11 inch pro keyboard works with air 4 so that’s how it might play out
hope not though
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the Fact there’s no news on a 11 inch pro is worrying
but aside from no refresh rate and less ram what is really the differences from air to 11 inch pro?
the Fact there’s no news on a 11 inch pro is worrying
Much higher multicore performance with A14X (=M1), better speakers, pro mikes, slightly slimmer bezels, more storage at the entry level, and $150 difference at 256, options to get 512 and 1TB. And possibly mini-led
In addition to promotion and RAM it's quite a lot of differences, that justify the $200/150 price difference.... to a point that some here were saying that nobody would buy the air if they don't increase the price of the pro. And I said that the price won't go up....
Main factors most people on these forums care about are storage and promotion.
Main factors for me are speakers and RAM (that's what makes me rule out the air)
Storage-wise, I would get 256 anyway.
Mikes, screen real estate, promotion and multi-core speed are nice bonuses.... Mini-led would also be a nice bonus...
Maybe currently, but I like the power/size/portability. The only caveat is the new processor in the Air 4.
I think they can...but they won't.
My sense is they'll drop the 11 pro entirely leaving that size for the mid-range iPad Air.
That said, I have always felt a 12" iPad would be the perfect size between portability and also serving as a desktop.
Again, I don't think this will happen.
It'll just be an updated 12.9 with new processor and mini-LED. They can leverage the R&D costs of the Magic Keyboard for another year.
While that might be true if they update with those updated specs which the 12.9 will get but dunno i could see apple doing this.
i can’t imagine this will be very popular...shouldn’t give the big features to the biggest size but hey they are doing it with the iphone
Another rumour has stated that IPad Air 5 will be out in march/April which will have pro motion which will replace the iPad Pro 11 inch
time will tell i guess.
time will tell i guess.
Do you have a source? Can't see two iPad Air's being released in 6 months.
No chance. iPad Air won’t be updated until 2022 at least.
seems convinced 11 inch pro will be done and be replaced with the air 10.9 and the 12.9 will be the only true pro
hope this is not the case
Honestly the more and more I think about it, the 2020 iPad Pro was one of the laziest things they ever came up with, not sure if Coronavirus lead to some cutbacks for this model, but yeah. 2020 Pro really just feels like a stop-gap release, ie, they wanted to churn out something new with the bare minimum difference for the pure sake of the 2018 already being 18 months old, so voila, heres a new iPad Pro with a LIDAR Scanner we won't even give a clear example of something its useful for (unlike in the iPhone 12 Pro event), and some recycled A12x chips with an extra enabled GPU core, we'll rename it A12Z. And why not, ultra-wide camera, because everyone uses the camera on the iPad.
The 2020 Air meanwhile had it all, from all-new colour options, a new unlock method of Touch ID in the power button, upgraded Apple Pencil, A14, it actually got A14, and meanwhile the pro gets A12Z. Should've at least been A13X - if it brought over the same power efficiency improvements from the 11 Pro for some more hours of battery life, I'd say that would've been a big game changer.
Don’t fret too much as the iPad Pro 2020 is still the ultimate iPad experience. The 2020 Air is a top quality device though, absolutely love mine, and will be even better when I get the Pencil 2 and Magic keyboard.
Personally I doubt it. I wouldn't be surprised if it's the least popular iPad, especially now after the introduction of the Air 4. I actually think the entire iPad Pro line is not all that popular and that few people have been buying iPad Pros.
Reason being? Despite Apple's trying to position them as a notebook replacement, few people are actually getting work done on them - or believe they can. At least not as good or better than with a classic notebook form factor. The average consumer, teacher or student is just wary of buying of a non-notebook as their primary (mobile) device, that only runs the limited selection of App Store apps, and (still) isn't very good at mouse input. And that isn't going to change anytime soon.
As a secondary reading or consumption device, cheaper iPads are more sensible alternatives for most people. Even the "cheap" 8th generation iPad.
They iPad Air 4 might be Apple's secret admission of both of these facts:
- From outward appearance, the new Air is basically a slightly cut-down Pro 11" that can be (and is) sold at a lower price.
- On the other hand, they have "upped" the mid-range Air to bring it closer to the Pro. And their offering that many colour options reeks of trying hard to position it as their "mainstream", middle of the range product - and thus to increase the average selling price of iPads.
- While the 8th generation is kept around to fend off cheap Android devices and tap into the education market with inexpensive tablets.
These are indeed advantages of the Pro.
But do they matter to many people? I doubt it.
The 120Hz isn't obviously noticeable except to heavy users (again, not many people I suppose). Nor is the brighter display. Are you really to be using devices outside under bright sunlight much? What are you going to do with the speakers? Watch movies and Netflix? Only few people - the ones who couldn't care less about the price tag - will be willing to spend top dollars on a 11" Pro iPad, when they can get a 10.2" for half the price. And are many people really running around using huge iPads as a camera - when they can get a iPhone with even better cameras and LiDAR?
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Maybe the miniLED isn’t going to be that huge of a difference that everyone thinks and Apple just want something in the 12.9 to justify the $200 price difference other than just a larger screen?
I really don’t think Apple will do away with the 11” mainly because in the line up the only iPad that will fit the 11” Magic Keyboard is the iPad Air, and the cameras cut out isn’t cut for the air it’s cut for the pro.
I really don’t think Apple will do away with the 11” mainly because in the line up the only iPad that will fit the 11” Magic Keyboard is the iPad Air, and the cameras cut out isn’t cut for the air it’s cut for the pro.
That guy is from Twitter and his account is one of worst. Throws out everything and anything trying to attract followers. He was called out by Prosser and Gurman for BS.
seems convinced 11 inch pro will be done and be replaced with the air 10.9 and the 12.9 will be the only true pro
hope this is not the case
I'll believe it when it happens.
While not entirely outside the realm of possibility, Apple's product segmentation is geared toward providing many choices, with small steps between them, structured to encourage all but the most price sensitive shoppers to step up to the next higher segment.
The gap between the Air 4, and a larger Pro which will be loaded with a costlier display system is one that Apple would not want to leave without a bridge of some kind, whether in the same 11" form factor, or a similar model.
Even after Apple decided to reinvest in the iPad in response to flagging sales, much of the lineup has roots in older models. The base iPad and Mini are all but physically indistinguishable from the Air and Mini from the better part of the decade ago, and the Air 3 is an evolution of the Air 2. The Air 4 is a cost-contained evolution of the 2018 Pro.
Apple clearly likes to amortize the development and tooling costs of the iPad lines over high volumes, and longer periods, and the nature of the tablet market allows it to do so.
The Pro is what drives the development for all the other iPads, and Apple still needs to spread the costs of its development over more than a single Pro model, and not wait for the later trickle down to the lower lines to help absorb those costs, as well as for the accompanying peripherals like the keyboards.
If the 11" goes away, it will be because of a revamp of the entire Pro line, not because Apple believes the Air 4 is a surrogate.
Be reminded that rumors are just that, rumors, not gospel.
While not entirely outside the realm of possibility, Apple's product segmentation is geared toward providing many choices, with small steps between them, structured to encourage all but the most price sensitive shoppers to step up to the next higher segment.
The gap between the Air 4, and a larger Pro which will be loaded with a costlier display system is one that Apple would not want to leave without a bridge of some kind, whether in the same 11" form factor, or a similar model.
Even after Apple decided to reinvest in the iPad in response to flagging sales, much of the lineup has roots in older models. The base iPad and Mini are all but physically indistinguishable from the Air and Mini from the better part of the decade ago, and the Air 3 is an evolution of the Air 2. The Air 4 is a cost-contained evolution of the 2018 Pro.
Apple clearly likes to amortize the development and tooling costs of the iPad lines over high volumes, and longer periods, and the nature of the tablet market allows it to do so.
The Pro is what drives the development for all the other iPads, and Apple still needs to spread the costs of its development over more than a single Pro model, and not wait for the later trickle down to the lower lines to help absorb those costs, as well as for the accompanying peripherals like the keyboards.
If the 11" goes away, it will be because of a revamp of the entire Pro line, not because Apple believes the Air 4 is a surrogate.
Be reminded that rumors are just that, rumors, not gospel.
Well, as someone who is just beginning to use a new iPad Pro 11", I sure do hope that they continue to offer this model. I can see purchasing a second 11" Pro in a year or two so that my wife and I both have one, we both use our iPads very heavily and I'm so impressed by the features of the Pro that I want us both to have the same capabilities. Plus it will be a terrific convenience to be able to share use of the magic keyboard.
Looking at the iPad product lineup, it is predominantly ~ 11" devices (surely both the 12.9 Pro and iPad mini sell far fewer units). That makes me feel that the the vast majority of iPad users want that size device, and Apple will continue to offer a range of choices in the 11" size range (including the Pro).
By the way, I ended up with a 256 GB Pro; when I saw that the closest Apple store had a few in stock (was not the case a few days earlier), I cancelled my order for the 128 GB model and took a drive to get some instant gratification and pick it up in person! Plus I turned in my trade-in, saved me the trouble of shipping it (iPad 7, 32 GB). And not only that, I ordered the magic keyboard while I was on the road, and picked that up too! Early Christmas . . .
Looking at the iPad product lineup, it is predominantly ~ 11" devices (surely both the 12.9 Pro and iPad mini sell far fewer units). That makes me feel that the the vast majority of iPad users want that size device, and Apple will continue to offer a range of choices in the 11" size range (including the Pro).
By the way, I ended up with a 256 GB Pro; when I saw that the closest Apple store had a few in stock (was not the case a few days earlier), I cancelled my order for the 128 GB model and took a drive to get some instant gratification and pick it up in person! Plus I turned in my trade-in, saved me the trouble of shipping it (iPad 7, 32 GB). And not only that, I ordered the magic keyboard while I was on the road, and picked that up too! Early Christmas . . .
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Admittedly, with more MacRumors posts on the 2021 iPad Pro line only mentioning the 12.9" display (and with the 11" and 12.9" iPad Pros effectively being in parity with each other as far as features go), it seems odd that new display technology wouldn't also go to the 11" iPad Pro. Not hearing much word about the 11" iPad Pro and with the iPad Air mostly cannibalizing it, I have to say that I'm starting to buy into the idea that the 11" iPad Pro might be discontinued. Sadly, I think it makes sense. The current iPad Air sprung out of the ashes of the 10.5" iPad Pro, which continued on for a spell once the 11" iPad Pro came out as a lower-cost option. The fourth generation iPad Air jumped in price. Give it a 512GB and a 1TB storage option and you'll have things to put in the 11" iPad Pro's price points.
Mind you, I'm REALLY hoping the 11" iPad Pro sticks around and hoping that this speculation on my part ends up being wrong. But the fourth generation Air is being lauded widespread as the 11" iPad Pro killer by pretty much every reviewer. I can't help but wonder if this wasn't intentional on Apple's part.
That DOES sound possible. But we're not hearing ANYTHING about the 11" Pro, while we're also hearing a fair bit about the 12.9" Pro. Does seem a bit suspicious, at the very least. I hope you're right though. New display technologies tend to be something I shy away from early adopting. If they update the SoCs in both, but the display only in the 12.9", then it might end up being a great (safe) time to buy an 11" Pro.
I'm unsure as to what prompts that. It's higher-end and it's of a more traditional iPad size (in terms of footprint), but at an $800 starting price, it's far from accessible to the masses, especially during COVID-19 times.
Mind you, I'm REALLY hoping the 11" iPad Pro sticks around and hoping that this speculation on my part ends up being wrong. But the fourth generation Air is being lauded widespread as the 11" iPad Pro killer by pretty much every reviewer. I can't help but wonder if this wasn't intentional on Apple's part.
I'm seriously right there with you. I was about to start my own thread on the matter until I saw this.
That DOES sound possible. But we're not hearing ANYTHING about the 11" Pro, while we're also hearing a fair bit about the 12.9" Pro. Does seem a bit suspicious, at the very least. I hope you're right though. New display technologies tend to be something I shy away from early adopting. If they update the SoCs in both, but the display only in the 12.9", then it might end up being a great (safe) time to buy an 11" Pro.
Why do you say that? I like the 11" iPad Pro in and of itself, but I'm torn between it and the Air 4 and am wondering what sways people in one direction or the other between the two.
I'm unsure as to what prompts that. It's higher-end and it's of a more traditional iPad size (in terms of footprint), but at an $800 starting price, it's far from accessible to the masses, especially during COVID-19 times.
I don't know. With the 4th Generation Air, it might actually make perfect sense to discontinue. The Air was born out of the 10.5" Pro which was only kept around because the 11" Pro was a fair bit pricier of an option. Now that the gap between the two is narrowed (with ProMotion, speakers, and FaceID being the only substantial differentiators for those shopping on the lower-end), a cannibalization could totally be occuring. I'm not saying it is and I really hope it isn't. But I could see it.
The 12.9" Pro is the most comfortable to type on by far. The keys on the keyboards aren't cramped to type on compared to those typically sold for the 11"/10.5" Pros and the 10.9" Air. Plus, personally, I've found a 12.9" Pro with a smart keyboard to be the best notetaking device (better than any other iPad, better than any smartphone, better than any laptop...hell, even better than a pad of paper!).
It is very curious, we have a few perplexing rumours swirling in the iPad rumour mill, including continued talk of OLED despite mini LED coming imminently, and the silence on the future of the 11" iPad Pro. I remember there's also sketchy rumours about a folding iPad in the works, which has me thinking... Tying these together gives me the idea the 11" iPP might be discontinued in favour of the folding model (a high end iPad focused on compactness for portability). A folding iPad would of course use OLED to facilitate its design, it would largely overlap in use case with the 11" (if very unlikely to in price!) and the iPad Air could be brought up to near feature parity with the existing 11" (perhaps sans multi camera + LiDAR set up).
Lineup after fold introduction:
iPad Fold (~13" screen when open) - $1,299 for 128GB
iPad Pro 12.9" screen - $999 for 128GB
iPad Air 11" screen - $599 for 64GB
iPad mini 8.5" screen - $499 for 64GB
iPad 10.5" screen - $329 for 32GB
I could be well wide of the mark with this, but I think it's feasible we're seeing the set up for this future model?
Precisely! I was writing a new post about this topic, and the awesome suggestion engine showed me this thread already existed. So here I am.
I am more and more convinced that we won't ever see an 11" iPad Pro. Sadly. I enjoy my 2018 11" iPad Pro, and Face ID is super convenient to open my iPad just with a keystroke, or avoiding it to get to sleep if I am reading the screen. I've considered selling my iPad Pro if I use more and more my M1 MacBook Air, although the few things the iPad does, it is the most confortable device to do so (browsing, reading epub books, email discord and other communications), so I am not decided yet on what to do. However, I do know I want an 11" iPad Pro, not an 11" iPad Air. The screen of my iPad Pro is awesome, compared with the regular iPad screen. I've been able to compare it to the new Air, and the screen is not as accurate as on the iPad Pro lineup.
However, there are many reasons to think we won't see an 11" iPad Pro, aside from the repeated reports of the mini-LED 12,9" iPad Pro. One of the reasons that come to my mind is cannibalisation. Right now I am sure that the A14 iPad Air is cannibalising some sales of the A12Z 11" Pro.
So I really don't know what to do, wether selling my 2028 11" iPad Pro to use just my M1 MacBook Air (and get used to it), selling it to get a 2020 11" iPad Pro (I know the difference is not big, but man, those 4GB I'm starting to see the limitations with apps reloading and such), or just stuck with my 2018 11" iPad Pro because I don't really need more to surf the web and read some ebooks.
I would be happy to purchase an 11" iPad Pro with an A14 chipset, but I am afraid that's not gonna happen.
I am more and more convinced that we won't ever see an 11" iPad Pro. Sadly. I enjoy my 2018 11" iPad Pro, and Face ID is super convenient to open my iPad just with a keystroke, or avoiding it to get to sleep if I am reading the screen. I've considered selling my iPad Pro if I use more and more my M1 MacBook Air, although the few things the iPad does, it is the most confortable device to do so (browsing, reading epub books, email discord and other communications), so I am not decided yet on what to do. However, I do know I want an 11" iPad Pro, not an 11" iPad Air. The screen of my iPad Pro is awesome, compared with the regular iPad screen. I've been able to compare it to the new Air, and the screen is not as accurate as on the iPad Pro lineup.
However, there are many reasons to think we won't see an 11" iPad Pro, aside from the repeated reports of the mini-LED 12,9" iPad Pro. One of the reasons that come to my mind is cannibalisation. Right now I am sure that the A14 iPad Air is cannibalising some sales of the A12Z 11" Pro.
So I really don't know what to do, wether selling my 2028 11" iPad Pro to use just my M1 MacBook Air (and get used to it), selling it to get a 2020 11" iPad Pro (I know the difference is not big, but man, those 4GB I'm starting to see the limitations with apps reloading and such), or just stuck with my 2018 11" iPad Pro because I don't really need more to surf the web and read some ebooks.
I would be happy to purchase an 11" iPad Pro with an A14 chipset, but I am afraid that's not gonna happen.
I have the same, both have their uses, i wouldn't bother swapping the 2108 for a 2020 11".
Exactly. I actually gave away my 2018 12.9, bought a 2020 11. No difference what so ever when it comes to functioning. I returned it and got a 2018 11 for $605 Apple refurb. Awesome deal. Typing on this as we speak.
You know after some thought I think the audience for the 11 pro is much seller. Hence why i think your argument has weight and the air will effect sales.
I'm highly skeptical of the iPad Fold. I do believe that the Air and 11" Pro could easily merge and that the 10.2" iPad will just jump into the chassis of the third generation iPad Air (effectively being a newer generation of that device with a newer SoC under the hood), also that we'll get a USB-C all-screen iPad mini (though, if there's any iPad that I'd be cool with not moving to the new style, it's the iPad mini; but that's just me).