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

[sracer]

My gut says that Apple will ditch the home button and put Apple Pencil 2 support on the new devices.

I think the home button goes away because that would simplify the manufacturing of these things a bit (IMO). Probably won't be replaced with Face ID (as noted)... Maybe an "in screen sensor"?

I think they'll support the Pencil 2 because they'll want that additional $30 in revenue. If the new Pencil 2 was named "Pencil Pro" instead, I'd see them keeping two pencils.
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I agree with this too! Apple's built millions of iPads - I'm sure they're making sure any updates of the 'non-pro' version are less complicated and cheaper to manufacture. Hopefully for us, that translates into slimmer bezels all around... Maybe like the Xr.

I doubt these new low-cost iPads will use the Pencil 2. The Pencil 2 requires the magnetic connector. That's more costly to manufacture than the current method.

And since the 2018 iPad also supports the Logitech Crayon, there are people who will bypass the Pencil 2 to pay less than half for the Crayon which works well (minus pressure sensitivity)

Same goes for Face ID or "in screen sensor"... those are more expensive to produce than the current home button.

 

[dgdosen]

I doubt these new low-cost iPads will use the Pencil 2. The Pencil 2 requires the magnetic connector. That's more costly to manufacture than the current method.

And since the 2018 iPad also supports the Logitech Crayon, there are people who will bypass the Pencil 2 to pay less than half for the Crayon which works well (minus pressure sensitivity)

Same goes for Face ID or "in screen sensor"... those are more expensive to produce than the current home button.

We'll soon find out! I'll challenge your predictive foolishness to the Randolph and Mortimer Duke bet of $1.

 

[tps3443]

S

I guess they could, though I don’t know how much lower they could go with the resolution and retain a reasonable @2x retina image (things would start to look huge if you go too low). I think the rounded corners also bump up the cost of the panel so they probably won’t want to use them for cost reasons.

If they do change the chassis up, a similar design but just ditching the home button and reducing the forehead and chin bezels is what I could see them doing. Ultimately I’m still not 100% convinced it won’t be the same formfactor with a new chip again though...

So yea they should use square corners, with the new body.

This is my first time ever owning a tablet, since I purchased the new iPad Pro 3rd gen. But, even I always thought that iPads all looked similar, everyone of them had a home button lol.

So, they should bring that standardized look back even to the non pro models.

All iPads should have no home button. I can’t tell you how much I DONT miss the home button lol. I have an iPhone SE, so it’s nice not having one all together.

 

[HarryWild]

Rumor new 10” model will be the budget type model. That mean 2-3 year old Apple components, very limited RAM and cheaply built too. A11 SoC maybe since the A13 will be realeased in September 2019.

 

[sracer]

Rumor new 10” model will be the budget type model. That mean 2-3 year old Apple components, very limited RAM and cheaply built too. A11 SoC maybe since the A13 will be realeased in September 2019.

I don't think it makes sense for Apple to redesign a chassis for a price-sensitive entry level iPad.

If anything, I can see them moving up to the Air 2 chassis (same as the 9.7 iPad Pro) with laminated display, processor bump, and retaining Pencil 1 support. That's enough of an upgrade over the 2018 model to spark some interest.

 

[Mainsail]

I don't think it makes sense for Apple to redesign a chassis for a price-sensitive entry level iPad.

If anything, I can see them moving up to the Air 2 chassis (same as the 9.7 iPad Pro) with laminated display, processor bump, and retaining Pencil 1 support. That's enough of an upgrade over the 2018 model to spark some interest.

I agree.

Most consumers are familiar with the 9.7 inch form factor with Touch ID, and they generally like it. I really never hear complaints from my friends about the bezel. So, to keep costs down, I think Apple will use the current 9.7 in chassis and simply update the processor/RAM to A11 with 3GB. They might start storage at 64 GB. If they increase base storage, the price will start at about $50 higher....say $379. You will be able to use old cases and covers, since the chassis hasn't changed.

They could make it compatible with Apple Pencil 2 by offering a lightning charging dongle with magnetic connector......but I doubt it. Instead, they will probably just lower the price of the old Apple pencil from $100 to $79.

 

[titans1127]

If the budget iPad gets an A11 and 3GB of RAM, I'll pick one up to replace my Pro 10.5. Tired of the white bezel and the battery life isn't all that great considering its under a year old with under 60 cycles. Battery health is already down to 93%. It also seems to have the touchscreen glitches that many others with the Pro models have reported. My original 10.5 was much better but I had to swap it out under warranty due to a faulty display for a refurbished one.

 

[UncleMac]

I’m not going to make any predictions but two things comes to mind wrt design

- Apple is making Pencil an important and integral part of the iPad and the Pencil 1 is a horrible design. Charging it by the lightning connector and having no way to attach it to the iPad makes no sense from a design perspective.
- FaceID - just because of consistency across all iOS devices.

Besides the obvious spec bump (processor/RAM) - give me Apple Pencil 2, similar design to the 2018 Pro models and reasonable pricing.... TAKE MY MONEY!

 

[Davefevs]

Pencil 1 can be charged by cable, doesn’t have to be stuck in the bottom of the iPad, with fear of snapping off.

 

[Falhófnir]

I’m not going to make any predictions but two things comes to mind wrt design

- Apple is making Pencil an important and integral part of the iPad and the Pencil 1 is a horrible design. Charging it by the lightning connector and having no way to attach it to the iPad makes no sense from a design perspective.
- FaceID - just because of consistency across all iOS devices.

Besides the obvious spec bump (processor/RAM) - give me Apple Pencil 2, similar design to the 2018 Pro models and reasonable pricing.... TAKE MY MONEY!

So you basically want one of the new pros at 5/6th gen pricing? That’d be nice but it’d also be the day

Expect nothing to change except a chip bump to A11 and a 7.9” variant and the update will likely even exceed your expectations, have overly high expectations you can almost guarantee disappointment!

 

[EugW]

DigiTimes: Apple supply chain: Flexible PCB makers plagued by lackluster iPhone sales

Compeq and Unitech are major suppliers of rigid-flex boards for AirPods, and they are expected to enjoy significant revenue increases after Apple releases AirPods 2 later in the first half of 2019.

Meanwhile, Apple is also set to launch new iPad models in the first half of 2019, which is seen as a boon to shipment performances at Taiwan-based flexible PCB suppliers.

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P.S. Rumour has it that the 2019 iPhones will keep Lightning. So, what do you think the iPad will follow? The iPad Pro with USB-C, or the iPhone with Lightning? I'd prefer the former but wouldn't that bummed if it's the latter since I already have a ton of Lightning devices in the house, along with a ton of Lightning cables in the house.

 

[EugW]

Sketchy rumour says Mar. 29 release:

https://www.macrumors.com/2019/02/12/sketchy-rumor-airpods-2-airpower-new-ipad-march-29/

 

[4ktitanx]

I need a new Ipad for my kids. hope they go 10"

 

[Icaras]

I just want an all-screen design with Liquid Retina display and Face ID, but four speakers and USB-C would be great too...

 

[PennyThought]

So you basically want one of the new pros at 5/6th gen pricing? That’d be nice but it’d also be the day

Expect nothing to change except a chip bump to A11 and a 7.9” variant and the update will likely even exceed your expectations, have overly high expectations you can almost guarantee disappointment!

Pretty much what I predict also...this is the entry level ipad geared towards the educational and the low-cost consumer. Keep your expectations low and hope for the best.

BTW, right now Microsoft is running a $50 sale off on the Microsoft Go and $200 off the Pro 6 if anyone is interested.

I'm hearing some encouraging interest on the Microsoft Go...Apple may regret their "slow-feet" response to enchancing iOS enough to break the iPad out of its niche market.

 

[Icaras]

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

I personally would happily pay up to $499 for a 10” iPad with all the specs you just laid out. Your predicted iPad lineup looks clean too, except however I think the 9.7” will go away, to be replaced by the new mini 5 at the same price point.

 

[EugW]

MacRumors: Two New iPad Pro Models, 10.2-Inch iPad, and iPad Mini 5 Said to Launch in 2019

In a thorough research note outlining Apple's plans for 2019, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo describes his outlook for its next iPad lineup. According to Kuo, Apple plans to release two new iPad Pro models, a 10.2-inch iPad, and a refreshed iPad mini equipped with an upgraded processor later this year.

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BuzzFeed: Apple Plans News Event For March 25

Apple has settled on a date for its first big product announcement of 2019. Sources tell BuzzFeed News that the company plans to hold a special event on March 25 at the Steve Jobs Theater on its Apple Park campus. Headlining the gathering: that subscription news service that has been all over the news today. Unlikely to make an appearance: next-generation AirPods, or that rumored new iPad Mini.

 

[EugW]

Two Upcoming Apple iPad Models Receive BIS Certification in India

The two model numbers that we have appeared on the BIS website include the A2124 and A2133. It should be noted that both these model numbers were spotted at the EEC as well last month. Unfortunately, there is still no information regarding the exact identity of these models numbers. This means we cannot be sure if the A2124 and A2133 are variants of a single iPad model or if they are two different upcoming iPad models. The BIS certification does not include any important information either, except that the two models will be manufactured by China’s Hongfujin Precision Electronics.

 

[EugW]

So, it's only 2 weeks from Monday that the special event is supposedly coming.

News today is that, interestingly, even the lowly iPod Touch could get an all-screen design.

Are they going to start raising the price of the iPod touch too? Traditionally the iPod touch is a low cost item. Or to keep pricing low, would it get an all-screen design without Face ID and without Touch ID?

Cuz the rumours just have the new iPad not getting Face ID. That implies it'd get Touch ID but there is also the possibility it would get neither, so it could have an iPhone X-like all-screen design, but missing both the home button and Face ID.

 

[EssModelsRule]

I’m not ruling out in screen TouchID for future “budget” Apple devices even though FaceID is the future and yada yada.

 

[Richard8655]

In addition to any new iPad announcements, would love to see a return to the iPod. Such a great and useful portable music device. Wishful thinking, I know.

My opinion of Apple's recent financial problems is partly due to exiting platforms like iPod, AirPort Extreme/Express, etc. and concentrating way too much on phones. Very vulnerable positioning. Thank goodness they're still investing in iPad and Mac Mini.

 

[EugW]

In addition to any new iPad announcements, would love to see a return to the iPod. Such a great and useful portable music device. Wishful thinking, I know.

My opinion of Apple's recent financial problems is partly due to exiting platforms like iPod, AirPort Extreme/Express, etc. and concentrating way too much on phones. Very vulnerable positioning. Thank goodness they're still investing in iPad and Mac Mini.

Not wishful thinking if your wish includes the iPod Touch. There is a very good chance that will appear.

 

[Richard8655]

Not wishful thinking if your wish includes the iPod Touch. There is a very good chance that will appear.

Yes, I was thinking more of the super portable Nano and even Shuffle. But a new Touch would also be welcomed.

 

[EugW]

Yes, I was thinking more of the super portable Nano and even Shuffle. But a new Touch would also be welcomed.

I still use my iPod shuffle. I had a nano but it had the battery recall, so they replaced it with a nano that looks like the shuffle but has a screen. I don't like that nano, because it loses the tactile buttons. So, I still use the shuffle. My favourite of all time though was the iPod mini.

I was never interested in the Touch because I just use my regular iPhone instead, or else my old unused iPhones. Plus the Touch has no tactile buttons either. I have an extra iPhone SE that right now is being used by the kids mainly as an iPod Touch, or a sort of iPad ultramini.

I don't know how long they'll use the SE though, since once I get a new 10" iPad, my iPad Air 2 will be passed down to them. They are currently sharing an iPad 2 and an iPad Air 2, but once I pass down the second Air 2, they'll each have their own iPad Air 2. The iPad 2 might become a picture frame or something, although I already have a Nexus 7 for that.

 

[Richard8655]

I still use my shuffle. I had a nano but it had the battery recall, so they replaced it nano that looks like the shuffle but has a screen. I don't like that nano, because it loses the tactile buttons. So, I still use the shuffle. My favourite of all time though was the iPod mini.

I was never interested in the Touch because I just use my regular iPhone instead, or else my old unused iPhones. I have an extra iPhone SE that right now is being used by the kids mainly as an iPod.

I vaguely remember the iPod Mini. Another great small form factor iPod. I have two 7th generation Nanos and love them. I don't know what I'd do once their batteries end. I had two 5th generation Nanos and the video recording feature unique to that generation was fantastic. I miss the Nano very much.