iPad Predictions for 2019 (or 2020?) 10" iPad

[EugW]

We are currently a 3 iPad household:

2012 iPad 2 with 16 GB storage and 512 MB RAM
2014 iPad Air 2 with 64 GB storage and 2048 MB RAM
2014 iPad Air 2 with 64 GB storage and 2048 MB RAM

One of those iPad Air 2s is mine and I use it frequently, and the the other is my wife's, although lately it's become the kids' iPad, along with their iPad 2.

Although the iPad 2 is uber slow, it still plays Netflix cleanly, but in the last year or two we've noticed that Netflix hangs a lot requiring us kill all apps besides Netflix and/or reboot to make Netflix work properly. Moreover, the kids are complaining about the iPad 2.

So it seems appropriate to finally retire that iPad 2 for most usage, and let each kid have an iPad Air 2. Both are 64 GB and they have headphone jacks, and I had purchased for them each a set of wired Bose noise-cancelling headphones for the plane. This is a great babysitter on the plane.

That means I want a new iPad for myself. It seems Apple is trying to extract as much money from people at the high end, but that's fine with me since I won't bother with one. I'm looking at the next non-Pro 10" iPad.

My predictions for a new non-Pro 10" iPad:

2019 release (or at latest 2020)
New design, with smaller bezel
4G LTE option. No 5G support
3 GB RAM (or 4 GB if we're lucky)
Starts at 32 GB RAM, with 128 GB option
No headphone jack
Apple A11 Bionic
8-bit display, 264 ppi IPS Retina, not P3 and not TruTone, and with no anti-reflective coating
USB-C connector
Supports Apple Pencil 2nd generation
Improved rear camera with 4K HEVC recording
No home button
Face ID
Two speakers
Bluetooth 5.0
Gold, Silver, Space Gray

Not sure how many of these predictions will turn out to be true, but I won't buy another iPad until it gets more than 2 GB RAM, and I'm pretty sure this will have more than 2 GB RAM. IMO, RAM is the best indicator of longevity. I refused to buy the crippled-at-launch iPad, and waited for the RAM to double for the iPad 2. For the Retina iPads I skipped the 1 GB models and waited for the 2 GB iPad Air 2. And now I will skip all 2 GB models, and get a 3 or 4 GB iPad.

 

[EugW]

BTW, the China Times report states it will be a true 10" or slightly bigger design, not 9.7", due to the form factor change.

 

[Richard8655]

All sound very plausible to me, especially a bit more RAM, slimmer bezel, and 10" size. My hopes are:

- Keep headphone jack (although not likely given Apple's philosophy on this)
- No anti-reflective coating (creates sticky fingerprint mess)
- No Face ID (not a fan of this)

We'll see what they do in pricing.

 

[sickoagb]

I feel like the upcoming 10 inch iPad may be more expensive than people expect to leave room for a more budget/mini iPad (maybe the current 32GB iPad at £239). I would assume it would have around a £499 to £599 starting price where it could replace the 10.5 inch Pro.

• same design language as the 2018 Pro models (4 speakers, no headphone jack, added USB-C) but thicker
• A11 Bionic + 3/4GB RAM
• Face ID + upgraded cameras/same as iPhone 6S (12mp, 4k video, no stabilisation)
• Liquid Retina display without ProMotion or display lamination
• Apple Pencil 2 but still no Smart Connector support for keyboards
• available in 32/64, 128 and 256GB capacities

This could leave the iPad lineup like this:
- current iPad 9.7 £239
- iPad 10 £519
- iPad Pro 11 £769
- iPad Pro 12.9 £969

 

[EugW]

I feel like the upcoming 10 inch iPad may be more expensive than people expect to leave room for a more budget/mini iPad (maybe the current 32GB iPad at £239). I would assume it would have around a £499 to £599 starting price where it could replace the 10.5 inch Pro.

• same design language as the 2018 Pro models (4 speakers, no headphone jack, added USB-C) but thicker
• A11 Bionic + 3/4GB RAM
• Face ID + upgraded cameras/same as iPhone 6S (12mp, 4k video, no stabilisation)
• Liquid Retina display without ProMotion or display lamination
• Apple Pencil 2 but still no Smart Connector support for keyboards
• available in 32/64, 128 and 256GB capacities

This could leave the iPad lineup like this:
- current iPad 9.7 £239
- iPad 10 £519
- iPad Pro 11 £769
- iPad Pro 12.9 £969

iPad 10 for £519 is nuts, esp. considering it’s currently £319. Apple is often nuts with pricing but hopefully not that nuts.

Instead, I’m hoping they’ll have a new iPad mini in 2019 at the under $300 and under £300 price point.

 

[Super Xander]

Interesting prediction, but I’m not as optimistic as you.

To be honest I think we will see a 10-inch iPad in mostly the same design as before, it might looks similar to the 10.5 inch iPad Pro. It may also be a little thicker, 3GB of RAM and A11 processor
And also another year with Touch ID and old Apple Pencil.

 

[nviz22]

I can’t see a budget iPad having FaceID this year sadly, so the next mainstream unit might carry a bigger price tag. The 2018 unit was priced nicely around BF.

 

[Saskat]

As a casual user I hope for:

Small bezel design
USB-C
4GB ram
Doesn’t break the bank

Everything else is a bonus.

 

[Loge]

10" probably means an aspect ratio change with all the app update issues that go with that. But I think it is more likely they will stay with the existing design awhile longer for the non-pro. I also think usb-c is going to stay pro only.

 

[Falhófnir]

Likely:

• Another March-April release this year as rumoured
• 10" (with 11"s taller aspect?) and mini versions as rumoured
• A11 or A12 chip with 3GB RAM (looks like they are starting to depreciate 2GB devices at this point)

Possible:

• Home button free design, but no rounded screen corners and larger bezels than the pros
• If above then Face ID
• laminated display
• USB C
• No headphone jack
• Flat edged design, opening up possibility of pencil 2 support

 

[sracer]

I'm terrible at predicting what Apple will do but that won't prevent me from predicting...

Preface this all with it being "my opinion".

The 10.5 Pro will be discontinued this year. Apple kept it around a little longer to help ease the price pain of the new Pros. Everyone is now reasonably comfortable with the new normal.

The 9.7" 2019 iPad. Apple may update the 9.7 iPad to the iPad Air 2 chassis with laminated screen... possible CPU bump. Most likely a RAM bump.

No new iPad Mini. If there will be an updated Mini, I don't expect to see it until Oct.

 

[EugW]

Apple Registers Six New iPad Models in Eurasian Database, Rumors Expect New 10-Inch iPad and iPad Mini 5

Apple has registered six unreleased iPad models in the Eurasian Economic Commission database this week, including models A2123, A2124, A2153, A2154, A2133, and A2152, according to the Indian blog MySmartPrice.

The filings are legally required for any encrypted devices sold in Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia.

 

[PennyThought]

This may be what we see on the new 9.7"/10"" model:

10" screen - so the same form factor as the current model, just less bezel
a11 or a12 cpu
2gb or 3 gb RAM (wouldn't surprise if it stayed at 2gb...50% split either way)
no Pro enhanced speakers
64gb storage base - if this happens, then the price will be at least $400 for that alone
Apple Pencil 2 support
no headphone jack

Whether FaceID or not...doesn't really matter to me, obviously its omission would mean TouchID yet again. If FaceID does happen, the price will exceed $400 for sure irrespective of the storage tiers.

 

[EugW]

https://twitter.com/stroughtonsmith/status/1088946309833375745/photo/1

Apparently these four new models have no Face ID.

 

[kazmac]

https://twitter.com/stroughtonsmith/status/1088946309833375745/photo/1

Apparently these four new models have no Face ID.

Good news to me. If the Mini gets a bump in RAM and pencil support I'll buy it as my commuter iPad. I just picked up a 10.5 on sale today, so I won't be too bummed about the new 9.7/10" if that gets more RAM etc. I can deal with the non-laminated screens just fine.

Your ideas of what will be added sound good too.

And if the Mini gets these new specs and keeps the Mini 4 screen and chassis? It's a launch day buy for me. I've been quite critical of Apple as of late, but if they release the Mini 5 as a juiced up Mini 4, I'd like that.

 

[Dhonk]

Likely:

• Another March-April release this year as rumoured
• 10" (with 11"s taller aspect?) and mini versions as rumoured
• A11 or A12 chip with 3GB RAM (looks like they are starting to depreciate 2GB devices at this point)

Possible:

• Home button free design, but no rounded screen corners and larger bezels than the pros
• If above then Face ID
• laminated display
• USB C
• No headphone jack
• Flat edged design, opening up possibility of pencil 2 support

I've been a huge advocate of the iPad mini. I had iPad mini 1 and 4. It's the perfect form factor for traveling and using on the go. I'd like to see it have a bigger screen on the same form factor. I just hope they don't pull the same BS from previous iPad minis, where only the 2 was given a current processor. Every other iPad mini has been obsolete when it was introduced.

 

[EssModelsRule]

My guess is the 10” will replace the old 10.5” Pro, not the 9.7”. There’s a massive price gap between the $329 base iPad and the $799 new Pro, so the 10” could be positioned as the midrange XR of the iPad lineup while the 9.7” truly becomes the education (cheap) model. That’ll boost iPad ASP’s to the delight of Tim & Co. and would be a true upgrade for Air 2 and up owners that don’t want to pay Pro money today.

Minimal bezels with FaceID
A12 non-X
3GB RAM
Pencil 2 support
Two speakers
One year older camera tech than the Pros
64GB base storage
$599-$649 starting price

 

[HarryWild]

10" is another "budget" iPad model!

 

[canesalato]

I think the main problem with the old 2018 iPad is that it’s too good for Apple profit margins. The main scope of the new release will be making it more expensive without making it more useful, in a similar way to what we have seen with the pros.

10” screen size (with the new aspect ratio? Who knows, crazy that it differs between the two pro sizes, if you ask me).
A12 processor.
Similar design as 2018 (touch id and bezels, which might be slightly smaller).
Laminated screen, maybe truetone.
2 gb of ram.
Lightning port (no usb-c).
No apple pencil 2 support.
Two speakers.
Bluetooth 5.
No headphone jack.
Thinner, so they can say “bigger screen in smaller volume than last generation”
Starting at 32gb for 499 dollars. 128gb for 649 dollars.

2018 iPad Model will remain in the lineup, at the same price.

 

[sickoagb]

My guess is the 10” will replace the old 10.5” Pro, not the 9.7”. There’s a massive price gap between the $329 base iPad and the $799 new Pro, so the 10” could be positioned as the midrange XR of the iPad lineup while the 9.7” truly becomes the education (cheap) model. That’ll boost iPad ASP’s to the delight of Tim & Co. and would be a true upgrade for Air 2 and up owners that don’t want to pay Pro money today.

Minimal bezels with FaceID
A12 non-X
3GB RAM
Pencil 2 support
Two speakers
One year older camera tech than the Pros
64GB base storage
$599-$649 starting price

This is close to what I'm thinking. I think people are going to be surprised that it won't be a budget model, but instead a cheaper option like the XR or MacBook Air is.

 

[EugW]

My guess is the 10” will replace the old 10.5” Pro, not the 9.7”. There’s a massive price gap between the $329 base iPad and the $799 new Pro, so the 10” could be positioned as the midrange XR of the iPad lineup while the 9.7” truly becomes the education (cheap) model. That’ll boost iPad ASP’s to the delight of Tim & Co. and would be a true upgrade for Air 2 and up owners that don’t want to pay Pro money today.

Minimal bezels with FaceID
A12 non-X
3GB RAM
Pencil 2 support
Two speakers
One year older camera tech than the Pros
64GB base storage
$599-$649 starting price

That would be a no-sale for me. In fact, I’d buy nothing at all. Not a 2018 model with only 2 GB RAM, and not a new 10” at twice the price.

This is close to what I'm thinking. I think people are going to be surprised that it won't be a budget model, but instead a cheaper option like the XR is.

Got an XR for the wife, but I bought nothing at all for myself. I just stuck with my 7 Plus. The XR has compromises I don’t like, and the XS Max is hundreds of dollars overpriced.

The more-than-64-GB XR is CAD$1099, and the more-than-64-GB XS Max is CAD$1729. That 57% higher price tag is just laughable, and quite frankly even somewhat insulting. No thanks.

 

[The Game 161]

Seems a new budget 10 inch and mini are on the way shortly

 

[AJB1971]

I wouldn’t expect too many changes besides a better processor - probably the A11 with 3GB of Ram - and a larger screen. It’s also possible that they will upgrade the cameras.

The significance of the increase to 10” is that it will fit in the existing chassis with slimmer bezels. Assuming the 7th generation iPad retains a 4:3 aspect ratio, the change in screen size would increase the width by approximately 4.6mm and the height by 6.1mm. The side bezels would be narrower by about 2mm and the top and bottom bezels by 3mm, which would mean there's still space for Touch ID.

The following article suggests that Apple is changing display suppliers to reduce costs and I wonder if that is to allow them to include a laminated display, but that’s probably unlikely -
https://www.macrumors.com/2018/12/21/ipad-mini-5-and-10-inch-ipad-coming-2019/

Moving to a laminated display would allow them to use a reworked version of the Air 2 chassis to save costs. They could also consider the Pro 9.7 chassis if they wanted to include four speakers.

The improved sound would be a tangible benefit for most users and probably wouldn’t increase the cost of production by much, but I still consider that less likely.

I would not expect to see features like True Tone, Pro Motion, Face ID, Smart Connectors, USB-C or support for Pencil 2. Apple needs to differentiate this iPad from the Pro line to justify their higher prices.

The 6th generation iPad was aimed at the education market and I think that’s still going to be the case for the 7th generation version. They will look to keep the prices the same for schools but it wouldn't surprise me if they increased them slightly for the consumer market.

 

[EugW]

I wouldn’t expect too many changes besides a better processor - probably the A11 with 3GB of Ram - and a larger screen. It’s also possible that they will upgrade the cameras.

I would buy one of those for sure if the prices are in the same ballpark as the 2018 models.

I would not expect to see features like True Tone, Pro Motion, Face ID, Smart Connectors, USB-C or support for Pencil 2. Apple needs to differentiate this iPad from the Pro line to justify their higher prices.

USB-C is potentially a cost saving measure.

It won't get True Tone, Pro Motion and Smart Connectors, but I'd guess 98% in this price tier couldn't care less. As for Face ID, it'd be a nice bonus, but you're probably right it won't appear on this tier in 2019. That's fine too, since Touch ID is fine.

 

[AJB1971]

USB-C is potentially a cost saving measure.

It won't get True Tone, Pro Motion and Smart Connectors, but I'd guess 98% in this price tier couldn't care less. As for Face ID, it'd be a nice bonus, but you're probably right it won't appear on this tier in 2019. That's fine too, since Touch ID is fine.

I see it as being linked to which Apple Pencil the device supports.

The original Pencil requires a Lightning connector to charge it whereas the Pencil 2 requires the additional Smart Connector, which will increase the cost.

I'm currently iPadless although I used to have a 10.5" Pro. I liked True Tone, but it was hardly essential. I didn't really notice the benefits of Pro Motion.

I immediately noticed the lack of a laminated display when helping a family member out with their iPad Air, but I don't think it's a deal breaker.

I agree with you on Face ID. In terms of features, having four speakers would rank ahead of that for me.